Hiking
Watch my brief vlog for a video summary!
In the summer after the snow melts, Utah’s famous ski towns transform into hiking paradises with wildflower meadows and trails that weave through aspens and shimmering alpine lakes. And I absolutely loved it here as much as I have during the winters.
We started our hike in the Albion Basin, following the Catherine Pass trail under a lift with a gentle uphill for almost 3 miles until we reached a high saddle where we could gaze down on Catherine, Martha, and Mary Lakes sitting underneath craggy peaks. We’re in high elevation, starting around ~8,600 ft and up to the saddle that’s a little over 10,000 ft at the pass – so we took our time deeply inhaling the crisp air to make sure our body adjusted. As we came down the pass, there were plenty of spots to detour towards the lakes, sit on some rocks and soak in the beauty of the Wasatch Mountains. I can only imagine what this would look like with Fall colors. Total distance to hike to Brighton on this route was ~6 miles.
There’s another trail that can be done that’s shorter (4 miles) and with less elevation gain, particularly for those concerned about the high altitude. The scenery is just as beautiful as you pass Twin Lakes. There’s a little construction near the end, but nothing you can’t easily walk around. The wild animals we saw though! Little chipmunks quickly scampering across the trail, an owl, an osprey, a few hawks, and plenty of little chirping birds.
The next day we started at Guardsman Pass, another high elevation point at over 10,000 ft. We connected to the Wasatch Crest Trail which follows a ridgeline with panoramic views of the Cottonwood Canyons and the Heber Valley before linking into Park City’s massive trail network that’s shared with mountain bikers during the summer. We actually stumbled into a mountain biking competition which was fun to watch the friends/family cheer on the bikers. To hike down into Park City we were able to use a vast network of trails, making it easy and fun to mix and match routes depending on your energy and time. There’s a ski lift halfway that shaves off the last bit of miles and elevation should you choose to take down!
Downtown Park City is so vibrant and a great spot to spend a few nights. It offers everything from upscale restaurants, healthy cafes, art, and lots of shopping for all your outdoors or fancy needs. As we popped into town, our dusty clothes, hiking boots, and backpacks definitely stood out from a lot of the day trippers in cute sundresses here in town to shop, ride with their kids on the mountain coaster riding through tracks, or take a scenic gondola ride. We took our sweaty selves and enjoyed a few celebratory drinks at one of my personal favorite spot High West Distillery & Saloon.
In summer, Utah’s ski towns reveal a different kind of magic - alpine wildflowers and crystalline lakes, scenic trails, vibrant culture, and a mountain town energy that lingers long after the hike is over. If you want to experience this trip, learn more at my Trips page and reach out to me at lily@selfguidedtrails.com.
