alta with a side of cecret lake

After a nice Salt Lake Valley Saturday (trail run and road ride for H, Dimple Dell walk for A and M, evening backyard beers for H, A and M with friends in Sugarhouse), it was time for a little hike.  I have my usual "exercise loop" at Alta: park above Albion Base, walk up the Summer Road, go up the Albion Meadows trail through the ... Albion meadows to the Catherine's Pass trailhead parking, up to Catherine's Pass and across the top to Supreme, down Supreme via the access road to the campground, back to car through the meadows.

Looks like fall

It's a good loop and I like it, decent mileage (over seven), usually not too many people other than up at Catherine's Pass.  But for years I've seen but never tried a side trail that leaves the access road just before the road gets to all the residential cabins.  This time I tried it.

Heading towards Devil's Castle

After turning onto the trail, I found myself below the [winter] gates at the bottom of the Rock N Roll ski trail.  It was really pretty with all the jumble of rocks and earlier in the summer, when the flowers are full throttle, it must be spectacular.

Looking up towards the Apron

There were old mine tailings below the Apron and I could hear pikas chirping at me.  Just beyond that, the trail forked.  I took the high line, which ended up just above and to looker's left of Cecret Lake; I did notice some MTBers on the lower trail and I will try that next time.

Looking into the valley from below the Apron

I can't even tell you how long it's been since I was at Cecret Lake other than during ski season (possibly since 2016).  For good reason too, because there were lots of people hiking in, out and around that little lake - certainly more than I wanted to deal with.  I cannot imagine what hordes there must be when the wildflowers are good.

Looking back at Devil's Castle

I didn't spend any time at the lake but instead got down from there as fast as I could.  On my way out, along the Homerun Trail (Sunnyside area, below Alf's), I paused to watch a big hawk snatch something small and delicious out of the meadown, then continued on my way.

Cecret Lake with no people in the shot amazingly

Hike stats: 8.5 miles, 3 hours 11 minutes.  Next time we take the low road.