Lake Catherine is the top of the three Brighton Lakes, above Lake Mary and Lake Martha, and can be accessed from either Big or Little Cottonwood Canyon. If you want to get there from Big Cottonwood, read my post about it under Brighton Lakes. This post is about coming from the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon.
You park at Catherine’s Pass in the Albion Basin and then cross the road to follow the trail. The trail is pretty gradual and not too challenging.
As you get farther along, you see the Meadow with Mt. Wolverine in the background. I have seen moose in this meadow multiple times.
The trail heads off to the right around the meadow and then up the other side, to the right of Mt. Wolverine. As you come up over the hill, you can see Lake Catherine nestled in under Sunset Peak. Depending on the sunlight, it might be hard to see.
Then you just walk down to the lake. I recommend walking around it because it looks so different from different angles and depending on the sky coloring.
It isn’t even an extra half mile to add in Mt. Tuscarora, Mt. Wolverine or Sunset Peak, and they are only moderate difficulty.
Stats from Catherine’s Pass:
Distance – 3.9 miles there and back
Approximate hiking time – 2-3 hours
Elevation gain – 1115 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 isn’t ski season)
Permits needed – $10 to park at Catherine’s Pass (Free from Alta, but adds 3 miles round trip)
Pets allowed – None
Stats from Brighton:
Distance – 4.4 miles there and back
Approximate hiking time – 2-3 hours
Elevation gain – 1243 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 isn’t ski season)
Permits needed – None
Pets allowed – None
Other nearby hikes are Sunset Peak, Mt. Tuscarora, Mt. Wolverine, Lake Mary, and Cecret Lake.
