The Brighton Loop circles around past five lakes and four peaks that can all be done in less than a day. The hike begins at Silver Lake, heads up to Twin Lakes, over to Lake Mary, Lake Martha and then to Lake Catherine. You could extend to add in Lake Solitude or Dog Lake as well. You can stay on the main path between lakes, or go along the ridgline. Unlike many other peaks, the ones at Brighton are moderate so adding four peaks only makes your seven mile loop a little over eight miles, but obviously with more elevation gain.
The Brighton Lakes Loop begins at Silver Lake (or Brighton Lodge if going reverse). Silver Lake has a mostly boardwalk trail and is great for all ages and abilities.
On the northwest corner of the lake you find the trailheads to Twin Lakes and Lake Solitude. Unless you want to extend the hike, take the first. In a little over a mile you arrive at beautiful Twin Lakes.
If you want to skip all the peaks and just walk to the lakes, then you’ll go below the Twin Lakes dam and head towards Lake Mary. If you want to go along the Ridgeline, head up the path that goes to the right of Twin Lakes. As you get higher, you’ll follow the road and then take the path that heads off to the left to the saddle opposite the dam. When you get to the saddle, follow the path to the top of Patsy Marley, the peak behind Twin Lakes.
From the top of Patsy Marley, follow the ridge to the neighboring peak Mount Wolverine. From the top you can see part of Twin Lakes to the left and part of Lake Mary to the right.
The hike is pretty easy from Mount Wolverine over to Mount Tuscarora. It is possible to detour here and add in Mount Millicent. That involves some scrambling. Tuscarora gives you a great view of all three sister lakes.
Coming down from Tuscarora is a bit steep. Just take it slower if needed and you’ll end up on the little hill between Big and Little Cottonwood Canyon with Lake Catherine to the left.
If you are done climbing peaks you can just head over to Lake Catherine. If, however, you want to hike one of the easier peaks with one of the greatest rewards continue up the trail that leads up to a Sunset Peak. Along the way you get this view and then below the impressive view from Sunset.
The lakes you can see from closest to farthest are Lake Catherine, Lake Martha, Lake Mary, and Silver Lake.
From the top of Sunset head back down the way you came up and then head to Lake Catherine.
Continue along the trail along either side of the lake. When it meets up it heads to the east side and then heads down to Lake Martha.
If you look off to the right as you are headed down to Lake Martha then you can get a good view of Dog Lake. Be careful to start heading down towards Lake Martha though or else you might miss the turn off.
Here is a view looking down on Lake Martha and then next to it.
From Martha it is just a short walk down to Lake Mary, which is such a pretty lake!
If you want to add in Dog Lake, then head farther east after Lake Mary. It will add about a half mile.
Afterwards, or after Lake Mary, continue down the Lake Mary Trail until you get to the parking lot near the Brighton Ski Lodge. Then just follow the road clockwise around the loop until you are back to your car at the Silver Lake parking lot.
Stats without peaks:
Distance – 7.0 mile loop
Approximate hiking time – 3-5 hours
Elevation gain – 1807 feet
Difficulty – Moderate
Trail – well maintained trail of dirt and rocks,
Bathrooms – At Trailhead
Seasons to hike – June-October (can be hiked with micro-spikes in the winter if it isn’t ski season)
Permits needed – None
Pets allowed – None
Stats with peaks:
Distance – 8 mile loop
Approximate hiking time – 4-7 hours
Elevation gain – 2189 feet
Difficulty – Moderate/Difficult
Trail – well maintained trail of dirt and rocks,
Bathrooms – At Trailhead
Seasons to hike – June-October
Permits needed – None
Pets allowed – None
Map to Trailhead
Other nearby hikes are Twin Lakes, Silver Lake, Lake Solitude, or Willow Heights.
