Cecret Lake

The Albion Basin area is one of the best and most accessible places for hikers to enjoy the outdoors. The hike to Cecret Lake is a great short hike for people of all ages and skill levels. This is a very popular hike, so don’t expect to have the trail or the lake all to yourself. On weekends the parking lot is full and dozens of people will be relaxing around the shores of Cecret Lake. The trailhead is also the starting point for several other hikes, including Mount Baldy and Sugarloaf Peak. This is an excellent trail to spot moose, especially near Cecret Lake. Since it is only 0.9 miles to Cecret Lake, it’s a hike that won’t exhaust children, yet it will allow adults to still enjoy the hike.

Cecret Lake Hike Details

Distance – 1.8 miles roundtrip
Approximate hiking time – 1.5 to 2 hours
Elevation at trailhead – 9422 feet
Elevation at Cecret Lake – 9880 feet
Elevation gain – 458 feet
Difficulty – Easy
Trail – Dirt and rock
Amount of water recommended – 1 to 2 liters
Bathrooms – At the campground near the trailhead
Season to hike – Late June to early October
Permits – None needed, but no swimming or wading in the lake
Pets – Not permitted

How to get there:

From Salt Lake City or from Provo, take I-15 to the 9000 South exit (Exit 295). Turn east onto 9000 South (UT-209) and follow it for 7.2 miles to the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon. Even though you stay on the same road, 9000 South changes to 9400 South and then to 9600 South as it heads east and goes into Little Cottonwood Canyon. Arriving at the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon, you come to a junction with Wasatch Blvd from the north. Turn right at this junction which will continue up Little Cottonwood Canyon. Continue up Little Cottonwood Canyon Road for 10 miles to the Albion Basin. Pass a booth and gate and proceed up the dirt road for 2.5 miles to the Cecret Lake parking area on the left. If the parking area is full, you will have to wait for a spot or back track about half a mile to a secondary parking area. Parking along the road is not permitted.

Hitting the Trail!

After leaving the parking area you will cross a small brook that is fed from the snow melt from the mountains that surround Cecret Lake. During the winter this area is home to several different ski runs. This is evident from the ski lifts which you will pass under along the way and by the service road you follow for a portion of the hike.

Cecret Lake Trailhead sign with Sugarloaf Mountain in the background

Cecret Lake as seen from the top of Sugarloaf Mountain

As seen from the picture above, once you’ve passed through the wildflowers, the last section of the hike to Cecret Lake has the most incline. After climbing a couple of switchbacks you’ll find yourself at the shores of Cecret Lake. It’s a beautiful setting surrounded by Sugarloaf Mountain to the south, Mount Baldy to the west and Devils Castle to the southeast. There is a trail that circles Cecret Lake if you want to walk farther or find a place to rest. Large rocks around the lake give children hours of enjoyment as well.

Cecret Lake with Sugarloaf Peak in the background

After enjoying lunch and taking pictures of the beautiful surroundings, you can retrace your steps back to the parking area. There are several side trails that branch off from the main trail, but most will return to the parking area or back to the main trail. If you have time and energy to burn, you may want to try reaching the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain which has an elevation of 11,051 feet. (Not recommended for children)

Devils Castle in the background on the left as seen from the shores of Cecret Lake

There is a faint trail to the south of Cecret Lake that switchbacks its way up to the saddle between Devils Castle and Sugarloaf Mountain. Either peak can be reached from this trail, and from Sugarloaf Mountain, serious hikers make their way to the neighboring peak, Mount Baldy.

What should you bring?