Silver Lake is a lovely accessible hike at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon in Brighton. It has a boardwalk or packed trail all the way around the lake.
It is stunning in every season!
There is usually snow until June and some years into the beginning of July. It’s such a great place for everyone to enjoy nature!
Once we were there and got caught in the rain. Luckily there was a gorgeous rainbow!
It is a wonderful place to go see the leaves in the fall.
In the winter Silver Lake freezes and gets buried in snow, but early in the winter you can still go with microspikes. These photos were taken in November.
The mountains are always beautiful!
The trail has a combination of aspens, pines and wildflowers along the way.
It is also common to see wildlife. If you go early morning or late evening you might see deer or a moose.
There are many little platforms that are ideal for photos or fishing. This is a great little hike to get into nature, especially for those who may not be up for a more intense hike. It is also a starting point for a few hikes, including Twin Lakes, Lake Solitude, and Patsy Marley Peak. You can also do a loop with Lake Mary, Twin Lakes, and Lake Solitude. Here is a view of Silver Lake from the Twin Lakes Trail. The fall colors are so vibrant!
Here is another view of beautiful Silver Lake!
It is a great place for Milky Way photos too!
Stats: Distance – 0.9 mile loop
Approximate hiking time – 30-90 minutes
Elevation gain – 45 feet
Difficulty – Easy
Trail – boardwalk/well maintained trail of dirt and gravel
Bathrooms – At trailhead
Seasons to hike – May – October
Permits needed – None
Pets allowed – No
