Cecret Lake Hike

We've had our eye on the Cecret Lake hike for quite awhile now. It's short, rated "easy" by most books and websites, and it ends at a beautiful lake.

We found some of that to be true and other parts of it to be untrue. First of all, this hike is all the way to the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon in the Albion Basin. It's close to an hour drive from the I-15 to the hike. Parking is extremely limited. In fact, you are stopped at the gate and requested to take the shuttle (which makes a trip every 30 minutes) rather than try to park. Parking alongside the road anywhere is strictly forbidden-- and they are serious about it. There was a snippy lady that told us we couldn't even pull to the side and wait for a car to leave, but that we had to turn around and drive back! Of course, it was Saturday morning-- probably their busiest time.

The hike starts at the campground, and it is definitely beautiful. Wander through alpine meadows under the ski lifts and up rugged faces to the lake. As for it being rated "easy" we thought it leant more toward "medium." It is nearly a vertical climb for most of the 1 mile to the lake and it is a bit dusty and rocky. Also, if your looking for a secluded getaway hike, avoid Cecret Lake. It's certainly not a secret-- more like Grand Am Central Station. We probably saw 100 other hikers on the trail.

The start of the hike.

Mom and the baby next to the wildflowers.

Resting along the beautiful trail.

Despite the traffic, we did see some wildlife. The boys chased squirrels and chipmunks, a yellow-bellied marmot sunned itself on a rock near us, and a hummingbird flitted about the meadow. Most interesting of all was the wildlife at the lake. In the water were tiger salamander larvae. They looked like a cross between toads and salamanders with frilly "hairs" all around their necks. We spent awhile watching them.

Least Chipmunk

Yellow-bellied Marmot 

Tiger Salamander Larvae

The lake is beautiful, but wading and swimming are forbidden because Cecret Lake is a main source of Salt Lake's drinking water. We liked this hike, and though our 3 year-old had to be carried much of the way (hold hands the rest of the way as falls are imminent) we'd do it again. If we could just find a place to park . . .

The boys next to the lake.