Red Pine Lakes

Hike Name: Red Pine Lakes Location: north UT Length: 6 Submitted by: Steven Knudsen Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more Utah trail reviews Utah national parks Utah state parks
For more trail descriptions and topo maps, try a Free Trial Offer from Trails.com

Description
Beginning at the White Pine Trail, head south out of the parking lot and cross the nice bridge over Little Cottonwood Creek and head southwest. The first mile or so is an old 4 wheel drive track. Just a hundred yards or so after the bridge, the trail forks. Right takes you to a creek side meadow. Take the left which continues up to the creek flowing out of White Pine Canyon at the end or the 4 wheel drive track. In the evening this area is generally shady and a great place to have a snack or even turn back if you have slower hikers.

At the creek the trail splits again. The switchback going east takes you up White Pine Canyon. To get to Red Pine Canyon follow the trail that heads south straight up the canyon along the creek for about 50 yards to a narrow foot bridge. Cross the creek and head west around the shoulder. Shortly after entering the Lone Peak wilderness, less than a half mile further up the trail, there is a fabulous view down Little Cottonwood Canyon. It is easy to see the glacier-cut "U" shape of the canyon which is different than typical "V" shaped river-cut canyons.

After a few photos, continue up, up, up, into the heart of Red Pine Canyon. After about a mile you will come to another narrow foot bridge. It takes you to Maybird Gulch. Don't cross this bridge just continue south, up the often wet and muddy trail. Shortly after the bridge to Maybird Gulch you will pass by an ugly tailings pile from an old mine. Less than half a mile to go the trail becomes a bit steep and rout finding is a bit confusing. There are several routs up which converge at the lake. Just keep going south and up. The trail will become more defined after a few hundred yards of what feels like climbing a creek bed.

As you get on top of the ridge you will encounter a sign reminding you this is a watershed area so camping less than 200 feet from water or trails is prohibited. And please don't swim in our drinking water.

The best trail around the lake is to the left of the sign and of the lake. The south end of the lake is more level if you want a nice place to picnic at about 9,600 feet above sea level.

The trail to the upper Red Pine Lake is to the far left although many hikers who are headed to the Pfeifferhorn take a rout that is more to the right. Neither trail is maintained so pick your best rout. Both are steep. But it is only about a quarter mile to the upper Red Pine Lake which sits at about 10,000 feet.

If you still have lots of energy there is a rout south west of the Upper Red Pine Lake that will take you to the 11,326 foot Pfeifferhorn. If you can make it to the top of the first ridge, about 10,600 feet, there is a great view of Utah Lake and the surrounding communities. Also don't forget to look north to the summit of Twin Peaks which is clearly visible.

As expected the return trip is much easier on the lungs and heart, but jaring on the joints. Take it slow and easy. Remember it is much easier to get injured when your tired and going down.

Distance to upper lake: 3 1/4 Miles
Time up: 3 hours
Elevation gain: 2,400 feet
Time down: 2 hours
Take plenty of water or a water filter.
Best time to hike: June-Sept.

Directions to Hike
From I-15 take the 9000 South exit #298, and head east into the mountains. From the Y junction at the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon where there is a huge flashing message board, measure 5 1/2 miles up the canyon to reach the White Pine Trail head, and paved parking lot on the right.
If you get to Snowbird you have gone 1/2 mile too far.

There are vault toilets at the trail head but no drinking water.

Remember, dogs are NOT allowed in Little Cottonwood canyon.

Contact Information
Uinta National Forest, Pleasant Grove Ranger District, 390 North 100 East, Pleasant Grove, UT 84062; (801) 342-5240.

submit a new trail review

---

About Our Reviews

Many people ask us to recommend a place to go hiking. Instead of us deciding what places are best, we let the backpacking community help out. The reviews on budget-travels-tips.com have been submitted by our viewers. Some reviews are positive and some are negative. If you don't agree with a review, feel free to submit your own trail review.