Patsy Marley (sometimes spelled Patsey Marley) is a peak behind Twin Lakes in Brighton, north of Mount Wolverine. To hike it, begin at Silver Lake at Brighton and take the Twin Lakes Trail. Here is a view from the boadwalk at Brighton and then looking down at Silver Lake from the trail. That trail has a lot of beautiful aspen trees. We saw a deer, but it was pretty far away, so the photo isn’t that crisp.
This trail is a bit steeper and rockier than nearby Lake Solitude, but it is still easy enough for kids if you take breaks. Pretty soon to get to beautiful Twin Lakes. It is actually one lake, but has kind of an “8” shape. There are often friendly chipmunks nearby. Be sure to never feed any wild animal. The wildflowers are on their way out, but the were still beautiful. Do you see the saddle above Twin Lakes? Patsy Marley Peak is the one just about the center of the photo.
Take the trail to the right of the lake that heads up to the Lake Solitude loop. Keep taking the main trail until right after a huge rock there is a narrow trail that heads to the left. Here is a view looking back down the trail and then looking forward.
As you hike you get stunning shots of Twin Lakes, getting smaller and smaller.
Right at the end of the trail there is a tiny bit of scrambling, but none of the rocks are loose, so it makes it easy.
From the top you can look over into Little Cottonwood Canyon at the Albion Basin, including Cecret Lake, Devil’s Castle, Sugarloaf Mountain, Mount Superior and Monte Cristo with Salt Lake in the background.
You can still see Twin Lakes and then the route to Mount Wolverine along the ridgline. It looks way more daunting then it is.
The trail follows the ridgeline basically the whole way, although it does veer occasionally, more often to the left. Near the end it looks daunting again, but there is always a trail, even if it’s hard to see. That right photo is the view from Mt. Wolverine.
From there you can continue the loop to Mt. Tuscarora, and then down Brighton Lakes, detour to Mount Millicent, or head back the way you came.
Stats from Silver Lake to Patsy Marley:
Distance – 3.2 miles there and back
Approximate hiking time – 2-4 hours
Elevation gain – 1825 feet
Difficulty – Difficult
Trail – well maintained trail of dirt and rocks,
Bathrooms – At Trailhead
Seasons to hike – June-October
Permits needed – None
Pets allowed – None
Stats from Silver Lake to Mount Wolverine
Distance – 3.5 miles there and back
Approximate hiking time – 2-4 hours
Elevation gain – 2035 feet
Difficulty – 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 Silver Lake where trail begins
