Lake Mary

The classic short subalpine lake hike at the head of Big Cottonwood Canyon. From the Brighton Resort base the trail climbs a well-worn grade to Lake Mary, a dammed reservoir cradled below the Wasatch crest at about 9,500 feet. The standard out-and-back runs roughly 2.3 miles with about 780 feet of gain — a quick, high payoff. A signed spur near the half-mile mark detours to Dog Lake (the Big Cottonwood 'Dog Lake,' not the dog-friendly one in Mill Creek), and the same trail continues past tiny Lake Martha to Lake Catherine, Catherine Pass, and Sunset Peak, so most hikers can extend the day as far as their legs want to go.

Quick stats

Distance

2.3 mi round trip

Elevation gain

780 ft

Time

1.5–2 hrs

Difficulty

Moderate · family-friendly

Dogs

Not allowed

Best months

Jul, Aug, Sep

Getting there & parking

From Salt Lake City, take I-215 to the 6200 South exit and head up Big Cottonwood Canyon (SR-190) to its very end — about 14 miles up-canyon and roughly 35 to 40 minutes from downtown. The road dead-ends at Brighton; park at the resort base and find the Brighton Lakes Trailhead behind Mt. Majestic Lodge. A standard passenger car is fine in summer. October 1 through April 30, SR-190 requires approved snow tires or traction devices, and the canyon can close for avalanche control. Summer parking at the resort is free; the alternate Silver Lake trailhead nearby now charges a day-use fee.

Starting from the Brighton Resort base, summer parking is free. As of December 1, 2024, the Salt Lake Ranger District added Recreation Fee Areas in Big Cottonwood Canyon: the nearby Silver Lake Recreation Complex Trailhead — an alternate way into the Brighton Lakes — charges $10 per vehicle for day use ($20 for three days, $60 for the season) via recreation.gov. There's no fee if you arrive by transit or don't park a vehicle in a fee area. Confirm per-trailhead before parking.

Know before you go

No dogs. Dogs are banned everywhere in Big Cottonwood Canyon because it's Salt Lake City's protected drinking-water watershed — the Forest Service notes pets are not allowed at all, 'not even in your car' at the trailhead. Don't confuse this watershed Dog Lake, the spur off this trail, with the dog-friendly Dog Lake over in Mill Creek Canyon.

No hiking permit required.

The route

Steady uphill grade on a well-worn trail. Most hikers reach Lake Mary in under an hour. Add time and mileage to continue to Lakes Martha and Catherine, Catherine Pass, or Sunset Peak.

• 0 mi · Brighton Lakes Trailhead — Behind Mt. Majestic Lodge at the Brighton Resort base, about 8,760 ft. Free summer parking at the resort.
• 0.5 mi · Dog Lake (Brighton) spur — Short, roughly 0.25-mile signed detour to Dog Lake, about 9,375 ft. This is the watershed Dog Lake — dogs are banned. Not the dog-friendly Mill Creek Dog Lake.
• 1.15 mi · Lake Mary — Dammed reservoir at about 9,500 ft and the standard turnaround for the 2.3-mile round trip. No swimming or wading — drinking-water watershed.
• 1.6 mi · Lake Martha — Smallest of the Brighton 'Three Sisters,' about 9,600 ft, just above Lake Mary.
• 2.25 mi · Lake Catherine — Highest of the three lakes, about 9,960 ft — roughly a 4.5-mile round trip from the trailhead.
• 2.6 mi · Catherine Pass — Saddle on the Big Cottonwood / Little Cottonwood divide, around 10,200 ft (approximate); junction toward Alta and Sunset Peak.
• 3.2 mi · Sunset Peak — Summit at 10,648 ft via Catherine Pass, with panoramic Wasatch views. An extension well beyond the core Lake Mary hike.

When to go

Snow-free roughly July through September. Lingering snowfields can hold above Lake Mary into early summer. This is a heavily trafficked summer-and-fall favorite for its quick payoff and alpine scenery — go early on weekends.

The trail holds snow and isn't recommended outside roughly July–September. SR-190 (Big Cottonwood Canyon Road) is plowed to Brighton but requires approved snow tires or traction devices from October 1 through April 30, and the canyon can close outright for avalanche control. Check the road status and avalanche forecast before heading up in the cold months.

Check current conditions before you go:

• UDOT Cottonwood Canyons road status
• Utah Avalanche Center — Salt Lake forecast

Safety & hazards

Frequent summer afternoon thunderstorms bring lightning to exposed ground above 9,000 ft. Start early and be heading down before storms build. The lake basins and ridge toward Catherine Pass and Sunset Peak offer no shelter.

The trail holds snow and isn't recommended outside roughly July–September; snowfields can linger above Lake Mary into early summer.

Trailhead at about 8,760 ft with a high point near 9,500 ft — and up to 10,648 ft if you continue to Sunset Peak. Thin air affects unacclimated visitors. Pace yourself and carry water if you're coming from sea level.

Moose are commonly encountered in the Brighton lakes basin. Keep your distance and never get between a cow and her calf.

SR-190 requires approved snow tires or traction devices from October 1 through April 30 and can close for avalanche control. Check the UDOT Cottonwood Canyons road status before a shoulder-season drive.

Wildlife & geology

Subalpine zone of conifer stands, open meadows, and prolific summer wildflowers, with resident moose. The basin lies within the strictly protected Salt Lake City municipal watershed.

Wildlife you might see: moose.

Lake Mary sits in a glacially carved subalpine cirque basin at the head of Big Cottonwood Canyon; the lakes occupy ice-scoured depressions below the Wasatch crest. Lake Mary's water level is augmented by an early-20th-century outlet dam.

History

Lake Mary was named for the daughter of Catherine Bow Brighton, the Scottish immigrant for whom the resort and nearby Lake Catherine are also named. The lake was enlarged by a dam (built c. 1913–1915) across the outlet of the former Lake Phoebe, combining two natural lakes into one reservoir for Salt Lake Valley drinking water.

Constructed as a water-storage reservoir for the Salt Lake Valley, with the dam built on the Lake Phoebe outlet between roughly 1913 and 1915. The trail is part of the Brighton Lakes / Great Western Trail network.

Nearby hikes

• Silver Lake (Brighton) Loop — Big Cottonwood Canyon
• Twin Lakes (Brighton) — Big Cottonwood Canyon
• Dog Lake (Big Cottonwood Canyon) — Big Cottonwood Canyon