Cecret Lake, Wasatch Mountains Utah

This week in continuing with my summer of showing you destinations and places to hike and see in my own home state Utah.  I am taking you to a place called Cecret Lake.
I will say, it's not much of a secret though, its actually a very popular spring, summer and fall trail up on the Albion Basin, by Alta, Utah.


This trail is a short 1 mile, or 2 miles round trip.  It is very family friendly, with very little difficulty, and one that kids and seniors will enjoy as well as anyone .  You can easily get to the lake in 20-30 minutes for most.


To get there; Drive to the top of the Albion Basin, up Little Cottonwood canyon.  Park in the overflow area outside the campground.  You'll see the signs for the hike.  It's a well marked trail, very easy to find.


The hike on the way up, is a little climb, but not too bad.  I believe you'll climb about 300 feet elevation in the mile on the way up.


The trail is pretty wide, you'll pass a light stream to cross.  But its so small and their are large rocks across it, you won't even get wet unless you want to.


The last section you get a few switchbacks, as you make the final climb up.  The views are beautiful, keep your camera handy so you can grab a few shots along the way up or back down.


It's a beautiful lake with Sugarloaf Peak along its side.


If you're in for a little more of a challenge, you can continue on past the lake and visit the summit of Sugarloaf Peak.  Suggerloaf sits at 11,051 feet and is actually the 13th highest peak in Salt Lake City.  A lot of hikers try to hike all the highest peaks along the Salt Lake Valley, and this is a great and not to difficult one to take off your list if you're attempting this hiking goal.  I believe it will add about an extra 2 hours to your hiking time if you decide to go up to the top of this peak.


The views at Cecret Lake are beautiful.  The lake I have been told has no fish, but you will see lots of salamanders swimming in it.  Kids like to try to catch them:)


If you're lucky like the day when I visited you might even get to see a moose swim across the lake, or eating along the side.  The moose up here are used to people, but don't approach them as they can be dangerous if they feel threatened or cornered.


There is no swimming allowed in this lake.  However, you can take a lunch and sit out on the rocks or cliffs around the lake and enjoy relaxing beautiful views.  Because as you can see below, the view is really stunning!


If your a skier, you will get to see different views of this all covered in white in the winter, if you ski Alta.



19 comments :

  1. Beautiful pics! So awesome that you saw a moose! I have actually done this hike. We did it when we visited my mother-in-law and sister-in-law! Great lake and very kid-friendly!

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    1. That's awesome, then you know how much more beautiful it looks in person:)
      Oh, ya this one is totally family friendly which is so great for kids or the less active!

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  2. That's so cool that you saw that moose while you were up there. Beautiful photos.

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    1. He was fun to see. We have a lot of moose around here, but even so I enjoy them every time I see them!

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  3. I love seeing moose in RMNP. I've seen them munching by the side of the road but my parents have been hiking a some have walked right by, going to the water for food.

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    1. I actually had one come up and run side by side with me for a few steps once. I looked up and I was right under his antlers, it was one of my coolest running experiences ever!

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  4. ...I want to jump in that lake, but it looks too perfect and beautiful for me to disturb it! :x

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    1. It really is a pretty little high elevation lake that is for sure!

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  5. I'm so jealous that you got to see a moose!!! We hiked Cecret Lake earlier this summer, and we weren't able to drive up to the campground parking lot so had a little bit longer of a hike. :)

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    1. Oh ya that campground lot gets full quick, that free shuttle they offer is great on weekends and holidays, but during the week it can make for a bit of a walk, but still a scenic walk.
      The moose was a total added bonus!

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  6. I really need to get to Utah, it is so breathtakingly beautiful and I am SUPER jealous you saw a moose, when we were in Maine for vacation 2 weeks ago, I kept saying, all I want to do is see a real live moose! HA!

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    1. When I visited Maine I was sure I would see a moose too, I imagine they have those really big Canadian moose there. But even the day I spent out in the marshy forests I still didn't see any, I don't think I got there early enough:)
      But yes, you should definitely take a trip here some day, it's a beautiful state!

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  7. Replies
    1. I try not to spend much time indoors, especially in the summer I never get enough of it all!

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  8. Well next time you just need to make sure you make a stop here:) We have a pretty state!

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  9. This is why I love bushwalking.
    What a view. Rather that than staring at buildings.

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  10. How breathtaking! Love your pictures and how awesome to see a moose :)

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