Alta Recreation Area
Hiking
This page contains information on hiking within the Alta Recreation Area in Utah.
The Town of Alta has approximately 10 miles of hiking trails and ski area service roads. Both types of routes are available for non-motorized use. The use of motorized vehicles on hiking and biking trails is prohibited by local and federal law and is strictly enforced. Some steps that you can take to help protect this rocky, yet fragile, environment, include:
- Stay on designated trails. Cutting switchbacks leads to erosion.
- Carry out everything you bring in. Food scraps and fruit peelings take years to decompose at this elevation.
- Damaging plant life, including picking wildflowers, is prohibited by local and federal laws. Leave wildflowers for others to enjoy. Please notify the Alta Marshal's Office if you see anyone picking wildflowers, or destroying or removing local plants.
- See our Backpacking Tips.
- See our Day Hiking Tips.
Hiked
Check our personal notes for detailed descriptions of these trails:
| Catherine's Pass | |||
| Distance: | 1 mile one-way | Rating: | Moderate |
| Elevation: | Total Ascent: | 800 feet | |
| Trailhead: | Trailhead parking is at the Sunnyside parking area. | ||
| Description: | From the pass, the trail drops into Big Cottonwood Canyon, accessing Lakes Catherine, Martha, and Mary, and the community of Brighton. | ||
| Cecret (Secret) Lake Interpretive Trail | |||
| Distance: | .75 miles one-way | Rating: | Moderate |
| Elevation: | Total Ascent: | 420 feet | |
| Trailhead: | Trailhead parking is located at the Albion Basin Campground. | ||
| Description: | Interpretive trail signs along the way discuss the geology, hydrology, and animal and plant life in the Albion Basin. No mountain bikes are allowed on this trail. | ||
| Germania Pass via East Greeley | |||
| Distance: | 2.5 miles to Germania Pass | Rating: | Strenuous |
| Elevation: | Total Ascent: | 1,300 feet | |
| Trailhead: | |||
| Description: | This old mining road switchbacks through lush meadows of wildflowers to a view above Cecret Lake, then into the upper Albion Basin and to Germania pass. | ||
Not Hiked
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