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The Brighton Lakes Trail passes three lakes: Lakes Mary, Martha, and Catherine. Before you come to the first lake, there is also a spur to Dog Lake, which sits only 500 feet off the main trail. Known for its lush summer wildflowers, this area is the home of the Wasatch Wild Flower Festival, and during late July and early August wildflowers typically line the path. This is a popular, family-friendly hike, and you will find people of all ages making the trek to these scenic alpine lakes. This hike often makes the list of Most Family Friendly Hikes near Salt Lake City.

Start: Lake Mary/Catherine Pass trailhead, south of the Brighton Center

Distance: 4.4 miles out and back

Hiking time: About 2.5 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation gain: 1,100 feet

Trail surface: Gravel and dirt path

Best season: Summer and fall

Other trail users: Mountain bikes allowed but not recommended

Canine compatibility: Dogs prohibited (Big Cottonwood Canyon is a watershed.)

Land status: Uintah-Wasatch-Cache National Forest; Brighton ski resort

Nearest town: Brighton

Fees and permits: No fees or permits required

Maps: USGS Brighton Quad

Trail contacts: Public Lands Information Center, Recreational Equipment Inc., 3285 East 3200 South, Salt Lake City 84109; (801) 466-6411; www.publiclands.org Salt Lake Ranger District, 6944 South 3000 East, Salt Lake City 84121; (801) 236-3400 Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, 8236 Federal Building, 125 South State St., Salt Lake City 84138; (801) 236-3400; hours Mon through Fri 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m.; closed holidays

Special considerations: Watch out for moose around the lakes; never approach wild animals. Remember your insect repellent—mosquitoes breed near bodies of water.

Other: Big Cottonwood Canyon is a protected watershed area for Salt Lake City and the Wasatch Front. No swimming or wading is permitted in any lake, no domestic animals are allowed in the canyon, and no camping is permitted within 200 feet of any lake or stream.

Finding the trailhead: The Lake Mary/Catherine Pass trailhead sits at the very top of Big Cottonwood Canyon at the base of Brighton ski resort. Travel 15 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon to a one-way loop; just continue driving and the loop will bring you to Brighton ski resort. Park in the big parking area next to Brighton Center Lodge. The clearly marked trailhead is to the south of the lodge. GPS: N40 35.897' / W111 35.053'

The Hike

The Brighton Lakes tour takes you into a high alpine environment complete with a stream, lakes, flowers, the occasional moose sighting, and wonderful views. Because it is popular, as it has been since early pioneer days, you will almost always find others on the trail with you. The trail is not too steep, and the lakes are fun destinations. Lake Mary was originally much smaller, but it was dammed in 1915 and Lake Mary and Lake Phoebe were combined. The dam, just over 1.0 mile up the trail, helps regulate the water flow of the watershed area. Lake Martha lies only 0.5 mile later but is very different from Lake Mary’s granite cliff border and granite island. Lake Martha is surrounded by forest and open meadow. Lake Catherine, just 0.7 mile after Lake Martha, is the highest lake in the basin.

The trail begins with 200 feet of rocky gravel placed between railroad ties and then curves to the right and heads up the mountain. Follow the signs to Lake Mary. The trail climbs beneath the ski lift and between fields of flowers during July and August. Asters, Coville’s columbines, fireweed, speckled rockets, lupines, geraniums, giant coreopsis, tie-dye roses, Indian paintbrush, Jacob’s ladder—they are all here, and the trail is rich with color.

At the fork for Dog Lake (left) at 0.8 mile, you can also break to the right for your first overlook down over Brighton and into Big Cottonwood Canyon below and to the right. Enjoy both.

Shortly after this point the trail climbs next to a stream draining from Lake Mary. Climb a stone staircase to the lake while enjoying the pleasant gurgle of the stream. From here you get your first sightings of the dam. The trail climbs up and around the south side of the dam to Lake Mary.

Continue along the path that follows the east side of Lake Mary as it heads up the mountain. Lake Mary is nestled at the base of the cirque amidst granite mounds, walls, and crumbling chunks of the rugged mountains surrounding it.

At 1.4 miles you come to a fork in the trail. The right fork takes you to the other side of Lake Mary. Take the left fork to continue another 0.1 mile to Lake Martha.

From Lake Martha you will climb onward to Lake Catherine. Along the trail you will quickly be able to look down to your left and see Dog Lake below. This gives a whole new perspective to where you are and where you’ve been.

A half mile later (2.1 miles) another fork splits the trail. The right fork will take you to Catherine Pass; take the left to reach Lake Catherine at 2.2 miles.

In 1871 William Brighton and Catherine Bow brought their family to the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon. Loving the alpine scenery and the fishing, they built a summer cabin. Within a couple years they built a single-story hotel, for the miners who traveled between Alta and Park City. Catherine was known as an expert fisherwoman, and she fed her guests well. Lake Catherine and Catherine Pass are named for her.

Enjoy Lake Catherine and then return the way you came, or head up to Catherine Pass for a longer foray.

Miles and Directions

0.0Start at Lake Mary/Catherine Pass trailhead.

0.8Reach the fork to Dog Lake. Dog Lake Spur (left) is a short 500-foot trek off the main trail. Dog is a small lake that sits in its own little canyon. The quick, easy side trip allows you to take in all four area lakes in one hike.

1.1Reach Lake Mary.

1.4Come to the fork in the trail that will take you around Lake Mary; take the left fork to continue to Lake Martha.

1.5Reach Lake Martha.

2.1Reach a fork in the trail; bear left and continue toward Lake Catherine.

2.2Reach Lake Catherine. Return the way you came.

4.4Arrive back at the trailhead.

Options

Catherine Pass is the mountain saddle located to the west of Lake Catherine. To reach the pass, head right rather than left at the last fork in the featured trail (2.1 miles) before Lake Catherine. The trail will take you to the pass, which connects Brighton and Alta. The trail to Catherine Pass is just over 2.5 miles one-way.

From Catherine Pass you can continue on to Sunset Peak, on the southeast corner of Lake Catherine. To reach it, continue up the southeast ridge from Catherine Pass to the peak. This option adds some wonderful views to the beautiful lake hike.

Hike Information

Local events and attractions: Wasatch Wildflower Festival; www.wasatchwildflowerfestival.org; usually held the end of July and celebrated primarily at the four main ski resorts in both Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons—near the top of both canyons. The Wasatch Wildflower Festival is a collaboration between the nonprofits Alta Community Enrichment, The Cottonwood Canyons Foundation, and The Snowbird Renaissance Center. It is also supported through the efforts of Alta Ski Area, Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort, Solitude Ski Area, Brighton Ski Area, and the US Forest Service.

Guide services: Gone Hiking: For guided hiking retreats in the area go to: www.UtahHikingRetreat.com or call (801) 663-6964.

Camping: The Salt Lake Ranger District manages three campgrounds up Big Cottonwood Canyon (UT 190): Jordan Pines, Spruces, and Redman. Jordan Pines is located 8.8 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon. To reach the campground turn right onto Cardiff Fork Road across from the Mill D trailhead. The entrance is 0.25 mile from UT 190. Camping at Jordan Pines is by reservation only, and the campground is well suited for groups. Spruces Campground, the largest campground in the Salt Lake Ranger District, is 9.7 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon. It has 97 campsites with tables, grills, and fire circles. Redman Campground is 13 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon and has 43 campsites. There are no RV hookups, and most sites are first-come, first-served.

Camping is permitted in designated campgrounds only. For reservations call the National Recreation Reservation Service at (877) 444-6777 or go to www.reserveusa.com.