White Pine Lake

White Pine Lake is a remote alpine lake situated near the end of the White Pine Fork of Little Cottonwood Canyon.  Near the beginning of the twentieth century a four-wheel drive road was constructed up the drainage to service small mining claims in the area.  Once the mining stopped the Forest Service closed the road to all motorized vehicles, and the vegetation has since reclaimed much of the traveled route.  Today the old road forms the trail leading to White Pine Lake.  Though longer than really necessary, the trail isn't as steep as other trails – taking advantage of switchbacks along the steeper slopes.  In 1978 the Lone Peak Wilderness Area was established under the Endangered American Wilderness Act.  At that time the White Pine Fork drainage was included as part of the wilderness proposal, but lobbyists representing nearby ski resorts succeeded in having this area excluded.

To reach the White Pine trailhead from the Salt Lake Valley, take the 6200 South exit (Exit 6) off of I-215 and turn 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 to the White Pine parking area (about 9.3 miles from Fort Union Boulevard) to the right (south) of the highway.  This same area can be reached from I-15 by taking the 9000 South exit (Exit 295) and turning eastward towards Sandy along 9000 South (SR 209).  The road eventually curves southward and then eastward again as 9400 South – weaving 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 the White Pine parking area (approximately 5.3 miles from the junction).  Since this is a popular hiking area, be prepared to park along the highway should the parking area be full.

Looking across Little Cottonwood Canyon
to Monte Cristo and Mount Superior

The Broads Fork Twin Peaks rise above
the horizon behind White Pine Lake

The trail begins near the restrooms along the south side of the parking area.  It descends about 40 feet to cross Little Cottonwood Creek before climbing the other side of the canyon towards White Pine Fork.  After approximately one mile of hiking, the White Pine Fork is reached and the trail splits – where you will take the left trail to White Pine Lake up the switchback.  An information sign with important guidelines is located at the trail junction.  About 0.3 miles beyond the split at the end of the first switchback (see map), a viewpoint is reached where much of Little Cottonwood Canyon can be viewed into the Salt Lake Valley.  Continuing up the drainage, the trail passes through several meadows where wildflowers abound during the late summer months.  The final mile of the hike is mostly above the timberline and becomes quite rocky in places.  After reaching a pass on top of a ridge at approximately 10,160 feet elevation, the trail makes a surprise descent of about 180 feet to reach the lake.  While a return route is possible to the trail below without having to re-ascend the trail to the pass, be prepared for some scrambling over large boulder fields.  Distance from the White Pine trailhead to White Pine Lake is approximately 5.0 miles one-way with an elevation gain of approximately 2,550 feet (followed by a 180-foot loss).

View of White Pine Lake
near the south shoreline

Looking south across White Pine Lake
with White Baldy in the background