Hiking

Brighton Lakes Trail. The upper section of Big Cottonwood Canyon is a glacier-carved valley with many side drainages that lead to picturesque alpine lakes. In the Brighton area, you can access beautiful mountain lakes (Dog, Mary, Martha, and Catherine), about a 4½-mile round-trip jaunt. The elevation at Brighton's parking lot is 8,700 feet and the lakes are at 9,400 to 10,000 feet, so take it easy, rest often, drink plenty of water, and keep an eye on the weather no matter the season. This beautiful hike along the Brighton Lakes Trail eventually ascends to Catherine Pass. From here you can choose to descend into Little Cottonwood's Albion Basin near Alta (but remember, you'll need a car for the 45-minute ride back to Brighton), or return back along the Brighton Lakes Trail. Mary Lake La. at S. Brighton Loop Rd., Brighton, Utah, 84121.