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Willow Lake is an easy hike with beautiful colors, scenic views, and an alpine lake located close to Salt Lake City.
Follow the marked trail and you'll hike less than a mile up to the edge of Willow Lake. Moose like to hang out in the thick willows there, so make lots of noise to warn them that you're coming and you won't startle any. Standing on the shoreline, you'll have a great view of Solitude Ski Resort to the south.
The Willow Heights Trail is located in Big Cottonwood Canyon. Driving up the canyon, it's found on the left side of the road shortly after passing both the Silver Fork Lodge on the right and the Canyon Vacation Rentals on the left.
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This is one of the most stunning hikes around in October when the fall leaves are reflected in the water. This area is known for moose sightings, too. I would highly recommend this short and sweet hike for locals who have visitors in town. Simply magical!
Did this in the winter and had a great time! A little harder to navigate since there was snow everywhere, but we enjoyed ourselves! It would be an awesome and tranquil place to camp!
Fantastic family hike for all seasons. If you catch the aspens in all their golden glory, you will not believe your eyes! Also, watch for moose, they like this lake a lot.
I am planning on making this trip all the way from Fremont CA and i would like to know if the fall colors are similar to what we see on this webpage ? if so, i can press my family into driving up to this place. Can't resist to see it. Michelle, i see you have updated the post recently do you have any comments ? you or anyone who knows the current conditions please comment and they all will be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
This hike is perfect when you are short on time but will give you a good workout due to the fact that it's fairly steep! The entire hike is beautiful. After climbing a bit you will hike through an aspen forest and a beautiful meadow before reaching the lake. Sunsets here are amazing and fall colors can't be beat with all of the aspen both on the hike and lining the lake. I almost always see moose on this trail and at the lake so be aware. Sometimes you have to wait for them on the trail. You should always maintain a distance of at least 25 yards.
I loved this Trail for a quick hike after work! It's somewhat steep, but only about a mile up. Parking is weird, the trailhead begins in a neighborhood, I parked at Silver Fork Lodge and went up from there which adds a few more steps to your hike!
Nathan and Brianna Milot
I hiked up to Willow Lake twice this year. Once in the summer and then again in the fall. Both were wonderful experiences, and neither day was crowded. The lake was more full in the summer, but the bright yellow aspen leaves in the fall were stunning. It is a little tricky to find off the road, but using the GPS coordinates worked out perfectly.
Probably the best short, colorful hike. The first half is steep, but eventually it flattens out. Definitely worth checking out!
My favorite short hike in the Wasatch. The distance is short, but it is pretty steep at first, but eventually flattens out. Fall is just getting into full swing and this is one of my go to hikes in the fall. You get to hike through dense aspens and nothing beats aspen leaves in the fall. If you can be at the top when the sun is setting, you'll be in for a treat. The colors are so vibrant during this time of day.
An easy, quick hike. My friend and I went up there yesterday after work - the aspens are starting to change color, and the fall colors are starting to pop on the mountains surrounding this trail. Stop to look behind you, or look up on your way back down so you don't miss the views!
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Camp at Willow Lake
The trailhead to Willow Lake is about 11 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon and is on the north side of the road right after the passing lane begins. It can be easy to miss, and is only marked with a plaque on a rock (40.630302, -111.604639). As you hike a little in from the road you will see the trailhead. This hike is just under 1 mile, but is pretty steep. It eventually levels out the closer you...
Backcountry Ski Willow Fork
Willow Fork is just across the mountain from Solitude Ski Resort in Big Cottonwood Canyon. You can access Willow Fork from a few different trailheads; either from the Willow Heights Trailhead or across the street from both the lower and upper Solitude parking lots. The Willow Heights Trailhead will take you up to the Beaver Pond Basin where you can either keep left and tour up through West Will...
Photograph Wildlife at Willow Lake
Willow Lake has become my favorite spot in all of Utah.  It feels so distant from civilization in the mountains, but is only a 25 minute drive from Salt Lake City. I have hiked to Willow Lake close to 10 times this year during different seasons, and have never seen more than 5 people on the trail.  You can hike year-round,  but the best season is Fall, when the aspens change from green to vibra...
Backcountry Ski Beartrap Fork
You can access the trailhead to Beartrap by driving up Big Cottonwood Canyon 10.4 miles and parking on the right side of the road. You will see the "Bear Trap Fork Rd" sign on the left side of the road, this is where the trailhead begins. Make your way up the skin track through the dense aspens until you reach the fork in the trail. Here you can either make a right and make your way up to the t...
Backcountry Ski USA Bowl
To get the the trailhead, drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon until you reach the upper entrance into Solitude Ski Resort. You can park on the road just below the entrance to the resort. Across the street is a road called Old Stage Road, this is where the trail head begins. The road is covered in snow in the winter so you can put your skis on here and follow it up. Eventually the skin track splits o...
Backcountry Ski Short Swing, Mill D North
Drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon until you reach the Spruces Campground on the right. You will park here and prep your gear for the day. Walk back out to the canyon road and cross the street to the trail head. As you hike up the trial, you'll pass some cabins, once you've passed all the cabins, you'll eventually come to a fork in the skin track going to your right up the mountain and through the ...