Lower Red Pine Lake Trail

Red Pine Lake is a local favorite for people enjoying Little Cottonwood Canyon near Salt Lake City. Steep and steady trails are a common trait of the Wasatch, and the terrain here rarely flattens out until you reach the lake's caldera. There are several bridges and waterfalls along the way, and for most the summer the area is inundated with wildflowers. You can also access White Pine Lake, which forks off to the left about a mile into the hike. Secret Falls is also located just a few hundred yards from this fork is as well.

Along this hike you see a lot of different sights, including down canyon views to the Salt Lake Valley and the rest of Little Cottonwood. Across from you are the red-peaked mountains that separate Big Cottonwood Canyon from Little Cottonwood. About a half mile before you reach the lake is a fork and a small bridge that takes you to the Maybird Lakes. Once up at the lake you have the iconic Pfeifferhorn sitting above, which is a frequented and beautiful peak trek.

During the summer this area is especially beautiful with its large variety of wildflowers and common moose sightings. There are less people here compared to nearby Alta because it is a harder hike, but on weekends the lot and roadside parking here fills up pretty quickly. This trail is great in the morning on hot summer days thanks to the trees on the east side of the trail providing nice shade. In the winter it is still quite popular because of all the great access to multiple backcountry ski and snowshoe areas.