Hiking

The upper canyons provide a cool haven during the hot summer months. Wildflowers and wildlife are plentiful, and most trails provide a good balance of shade and sun. Due to high altitude, even fit hikers often become fatigued and dehydrated faster than they would otherwise, so remember to take it easy, rest often, and drink plenty of water.

Sunset Peak. The trailhead for the 4-mile out-and-back hike to Sunset Peak starts high in Little Cottonwood Canyon, above Alta Ski Resort, in Albion Basin. This is a popular area for finding wildflowers in July and August. After an initial steep incline, the trail wanders through flat meadows before it climbs again to Catherine Pass at 10,240 feet. From here intermediate hikes continue along the ridge in both directions. Continue up the trail to the summit of Sunset Peak for breathtaking views of the Heber Valley, Park City, Mount Timpanogos, Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, and even a part of the Salt Lake Valley. You can alter your route by starting in Little Cottonwood Canyon and ending your hike in neighboring Big Cottonwood Canyon, by following the Catherine Pass as it descends along the Brighton Lakes Trail to Brighton Ski Resort (from which it's a nearly an hour's drive back to Alta). Cecret Lake/Catherine Pass Trailhead, Albion Basin Rd., Alta, Utah.

White Pine Trailhead. White Pine Trailhead, ¾ mile below Snowbird on the south side of the road, runs alongside gurgling Little Cottonwood Creek and accesses some excellent easy hikes to overlooks with great opportunities for spotting wildlife. If you want to keep going on more intermediate trails, continue up the trail to the lakes in White Pine Canyon, Red Pine Canyon, and Maybird Gulch. All of these hikes share a common path for the first mile. Hwy. 210, Snowbird, Utah.