Cecret Lake

Cecret Lake provides a short, beautiful hike at high elevation that can be taken by the entire family.  Located near the end of Little Cottonwood Canyon, the lake is a small glacial tarn that forms part of the headwaters for Little Cottonwood Creek.  Devils Castle and Sugarloaf Peak rise abruptly to the south of Cecret Lake, providing a scenic backdrop.  Since the area is a vital watershed for the Salt Lake Valley, dogs and horses are prohibited in Albion Basin and the rest of Little Cottonwood Canyon.  Older USGS topographic maps show the lake as "Secret" Lake, and though pronounced the same; the more common spelling is "Cecret" Lake.  All things considered – it offers a great escape from the summer heat in the valley below along with the hustle and bustle of city life.

The trailhead to Cecret Lake next
to the Albion Basin Campground

Alta and the Albion Basin are reached from the Salt Lake Valley by taking the 6200 South exit (Exit 6) off of I-215 and turning right (at the light) onto Wasatch Boulevard (SR 190).  Continue south along Wasatch Boulevard past Fort Union Boulevard (7200 South), which turns into SR 210.  Follow SR 210 the rest of the way to Alta (approximately 12.0 miles from Fort Union Boulevard).  From I-15, take the 9000 South exit (Exit 295) and turn eastward towards Sandy along 9000 South (SR 209), which eventually curves southward and then eastward again as 9400 South.  SR 209 weaves a little more before it terminates at approximately 7.3 miles from the I-15 exit.  At the junction, turn right (eastward) and follow SR 210 the rest of the way to Alta (approximately 8.0 miles from the junction).  About 0.3 miles beyond Alta, the highway forks with the lower right portion leading to a parking area.  During busy times you may be directed to park there and take a shuttle the remaining distance to the trailhead.  If not, continue up the left fork, which turns into a maintained dirt road for approximately 2.5 miles to the Albion Basin Campground.  Parking is available off to the left before entering the campground.

The trail begins near the campground entrance and continues southward, passing underneath a chairlift.  Interpretive signs describe various natural features along the way, allowing brief resting stops.  The steepest part of the hike is the final quarter-mile portion, which switchbacks up the mountainside to reach Cecret Lake at approximately 9,860 feet elevation.  Don't be surprised to see occasional vehicles near the beginning of the trail as private cabins are located in the area.  Distance from the trailhead to Cecret Lake is approximately 0.8 miles one-way with an elevation gain of about 460 feet.

Cecret Lake as viewed from a point
near the north shoreline

View looking southeast across Cecret
Lake with Devils Castle in the background