The good news… it’s down hill the entire way back to where you parked. Cecret Lake is a beautiful mountain lake at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon. This is a easy loop trail in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Albion Basin is about 45 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City, up Little Cottonwood Canyon. Cecret Lake offers amazing views of the upper Albion Basin. If you start from the Albion Basin, there is no charge for parking and the hike is closer to 5 miles round trip with around 1200 ft gain. The ride is a broad, smooth dirt road that climbs up to a camping area below Cecret Lake. Explore the Mighty 5 – Utah’s National Parks, Find hiking trails around the country for your next adventure, https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/regions/intermountain/AlbionBasin/, 5 Filming Locations for Goonies Fans to Visit, Best Hikes in Canyonlands National Park for Kids | Needles District, Visit Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park in Utah, Best Hikes in Kolob Canyon at Zion National Park, Camelback Mountain Hike: Echo Canyon Trail. As with any hike, it’s a good idea to have the right gear with you. After you drive to the very top of Little Cottonwood Canyon and park at the Albion Grill, you will find the trail just right behind the grill. Cecret Lake (yes, it's spelled that way) and Albion Basin, up at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon southeast of Salt Lake City, Utah. I spent a couple of days in Snowbird Utah at the Cliff Lodge with friends. Albion Basin is renowned for its vivid summer wildflowers. Full bloom yet. Cecret Lake is a small beautiful alpine lake in Albion Basin at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon. I’ve also read they recently started charging for the shuttle use. Biking or swimming/wading in the water is not allowed. Albion Basin hike to Cecret Lake in Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah. You can drive on a dirt road and get further up the canyon, but we enjoyed starting at the bottom of Albion Basin and hiking up to Cecret Lake. Sometimes this is referred to as Secret Lake. 7/13/2014 05:47:00 PM Cecret Lake This Saturday we did the hike to Cecret Lake. A repaired and improved Cecret Lake dam now on view in Little Cottonwood Canyon The thousands of visitors who hike into Little Cottonwood Canyon’s Albion Basin this summer for the annual wildflower bloom will notice a rehabbed dam at Cecret Lake. Length 4.5 mi Elevation gain 1,213 ft Route type Out & Back Easy, 458 elevation gain. Our hotel manager and friends from Snow Pine Lodge highly recommended the trail. Hiking to Cecret Lake and Catherine's Pass via the Summer Road. I'm heading to Wyoming for a week and will be off the internet. A repaired and improved Cecret Lake dam now on view in Little Cottonwood Canyon The thousands of visitors who hike into Little Cottonwood Canyon’s Albion Basin this summer for the annual wildflower bloom will notice a rehabbed dam at Cecret Lake. This area is also prone to have wildlife including moose so keep your eyes peeled. In that short distance, we hiked along a lovely campground, sandstone cliffs, rocks of all shapes and sizes, by a tiny granite-filled canyon, and all the varieties of mountain flora and one fauna (I saw a … (Updated Aug. 30, 2020). Pull into the Albion Basin Campground - you'll find the trailhead on the west side. Good luck. Cost: Parking and hiking from the Albion Grill at Alta Ski Resort are free. Cecret Lake (pronounced like the word ‘secret’) is an easy, family friendly hike located at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon Road that starts at the west side of the Albion Basin Campground. I love the light purple and white colors of it, as well as the look. Most of this trail is in the sun so wear a hat and bring plenty of water. That’s why Alta Ski Resort is a great place to hike from. 8595 Albion Basin Rd Salt Lake City UT 84121. Albion Basin is renowned for its vivid summer wildflowers. Albion Basin hike to Cecret Lake in Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah. RELATED POST: Explore the Mighty 5 – Utah’s National Parks. I think there would still be flowers at that time, based on what I’m seeing in photos of the area. Cecret Lake - Alta Utah I hiked through Alta & Albion Basin to Cecret Lake. Because it sits at approximately 9800 ft above sea level, it’s only accessible to hikers for about two months in the summer once the town of Alta opens the gate to allow cars to get to the trailhead. You’ll find a building on your way up called Alf’s. Albion Basin path to Cecret Lake - Alta Utah. On Sunday we tried to hike Cecret Lake as a family, but it was too crowded. I spent a couple of days in Snowbird Utah at the Cliff Lodge with friends. I hate when that happens. #11: Albion Meadows Reroute | .5 miles (one-way) | Elevation Gain: 70 feet . “Cecret Lake,” as originally spelled by resident miners, is also spelled “Secret Lake” on some maps and is approximately 450 feet higher than the trailhead in Albion Basin. Albion Basin Hike. Albion Basin is part of the Alta ski area, at the top of Salt Lake's Little Cottonwood Canyon. Partial shade. If you’re looking for streams, wildflowers, fossils, and a lake, this is the hike for you. The … Do you think there will still be flowers? The Indian paintbrush and the other colorful flowers of the high Utah mountains are a wonderful way to relax. Albion Basin Campground is located in Little Cottonwood Canyon, near Alta, Utah and many years does not open for use until July 4th or later due to snow depths. 2020 UPDATE: I haven’t hiked up to Albion Basin this year, but I follow several online Utah hiking forums. Albion Basin is renowned for its vivid summer wildflowers. The basin is truly breathtaking and the air is so cool up here. You’ll drive as far as you can on pavement, parking at the Alta Ski Resort lodge (Albion Grill). Cecret Lake Trail – Albion Basin Campground, Utah. That includes good hiking shoes, hat, sunscreen and plenty of water. Sometimes this is referred to as Secret Lake. The easy trail is just 1.7 miles out and back. But the mosquitoes are out in full-force around sunset – so be prepared. This out-and-back is 3 miles each way, with 820 feet of altitude gain. This trail accesses or travels through potential avalanche terrain. If you head there during the right time of year, there are wildflowers in abundance on the hike. This 1.8 mile round-trip takes hikers from Cecret Lake trailhead through the Albion Basin Campground and along a densely-forested single-track, and brings hikers to within a few hundred feet of the dark, looming walls of Devil’s Castle itself. They had capped the number of cars that could go into the Albion Basin. You’ll also come across many families or brides & grooms getting their photos taken. 07/10/2020 Andrea W. Andrea W. Gorgeous scenery and wildflowers. Beautiful photo of the lake. Albion Basin is located in the heart of the central Wasatch Range, so pedaling through this magnificent alpine sanctuary far outweighs any discomfort experienced along the way. For more information and to read the daily avalanche forecast please visit: https://utahava Cecret Lake (yes, that is the correct spelling) is a beautiful alpine lake that sits in the heart of Alta Ski Resort. Website: https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/regions/intermountain/AlbionBasin/. Please walk lightly in this area. The trail takes you through forest meadows with pine trees and the most beautiful wildflowers! Since 1938, Alta Ski Area has been a steward of Little Cottonwood Canyon, working to revegetate the mountains left barren from late-19th and early-20th century miners. My favorite wildflower is the columbine. The Albion Basin area is one of the best and most accessible places for hikers to enjoy he outdoors. Know Before You Go. I can’t find a reason why although I’ve read … I love to travel and take photos. Also Sugarloaf Mountain and Devil's Castle. Cecret Lake (yes, that is the correct spelling) is a beautiful alpine lake that sits in the heart of Alta Ski Resort. Maybe give it another week or so. This sounds like it could be in order today! Hours: The campground is open July – September. Alta has also been asked to introduce promote year-round recreation in the mountains. There is snow there most of the year, but mid summer through early fall it is a wonderful family hike. It’s too late to see them in full force, but you might run into a few straggler flowers. Cecret Lake is a beautiful alpine lake high in the Wasatch Mountains that offers beautiful views of the Albion Basin and Little Cottonwood Canyon. Albion Basin is located in the heart of the central Wasatch Range, so pedaling through this magnificent alpine sanctuary far outweighs any discomfort experienced along the way. I was thinking of going today. I hiked through Alta to Cecret Lake. Cecret Lake is reached by driving up Little Cottonwood Canyon to Albion Basin above Alta Ski Resort. Your email address will not be published. There were restrooms near the trailhead but I did not see water. https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/utah/albion-basin-wildflower-hike-ut The primary activities were hiking, rock climbing, and camping but dogs and bikes were not allowed. It started to get dark so we headed back to the car but this is a hike I’d love to do again and try to find the lake. You’ll drive as far as you can on pavement, parking at the Alta Ski Resort lodge (Albion Grill). But I’ve had people complain that it isn’t always running. Cecret Lake (pronounced like Secret) is a small alpine lake in Albion Basin which is within the town limits of Alta in the U.S. state of Utah. The Cecret Lake trailhead (40.577986, -111.612986) is located near the Albion Basin Campground at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon.To reach the trailhead from I-215 in Salt Lake City: Take Exit 6 for 6200 S/Wasatch Blvd. Like to walk around the country for your next adventure warm, but you can continue just one mile. 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