Hiking Willow Lake, Utah – A Big Cottonwood Canyon Easy Hike

Willow Lake is a popular and family friendly small lake hike that features gorgeous aspen groves, and views of Solitude Ski Resort. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about this hike.

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Trail Map | Trails | Hiking In Winter | Camping | Weather | Directions | Pictures

 

Difficulty – Easy
Distance – 2.31 miles round trip (3.72 km)
Height – 8,508 feet (2593.24 m)
Elevation gain – 662 feet (201.78 m)
Duration – 1.5 – 2 hours (book time)
Trailhead Location – “Willow Heights” On Big Cottonwood Canyon Road (7,933 Feet)
Dogs – Not allowed on this trail

 

Need To Know Information

• Dogs are not allowed on this hike.
• Parking is located along the road, and not in a parking lot. It can fill up during foliage season.
• Swimming is not allowed in any of the lakes in this area.
• This is a popular hike, and you will encounter people.
• This lake appears to be too shallow to hold fish as it completely freezes each year.

Trail Map

Download GPX File For This HIke

 

Routes

 

Willow Lake Via Big Cottonwood Canyon Road – 2.31 miles round trip (3.72 km) – 662 feet (201.78 m) Elevation Gain

Directions to the parking area on the road are below.

Hikers begin at the path that leads up from the road right next to the yellow speed limit sign. Immediately the hike begins with a solid but reasonable incline into the forest. The trail is very easy to follow. 0.1 miles in, hikers reach a junction that isn’t marked, here they can go in either direction as they both go to the lake. They are similar distances and similar steepness, so it doesn’t matter much which direction hikers take. We recommend going up, and down the other simply for variation.

If hikers start by going left at the first junction, they will reach another unmarked junction. At this junction they should continue to the right (the more uphill looking direction.)

The entire trail remains with a steady incline until it begins flattening out slightly near an open field just before the lake. Here there are fantastic views of the surrounding mountains.

Hikers at the end of this field will have the option to do a loop to go around the lake. Our recommendation is to do a counterclockwise loop around the lake which takes hikers through a stunning aspen grove before looping all the way around Willow Lake. For this hike, it is worth doing the entire loop as it is quick, flat, and the aspen groves are beautiful.

 

Hiking in Winter

This is a fantastic winter hike. Microspikes are recommended in winter months, and snowshoes may be required depending upon snow levels.

 

Camping Information

Because of the ease of access and common moose sightings, many people camp in this area. As you hike around the lake, on the western side, you’ll find dispersed campsites that are often used. No permits are required.

 

Fishing Willow Lake

This lake appears to be too shallow to hold fish as it likely freezes completely in winter.

 

Weather

Here is a detailed weather forecast for the area:

Alta, UT

Today
Snow showers before noon, then snow showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. High near 28, with temperatures falling to around 26 in the afternoon. Wind chill values as low as 2. West wind 20 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 7 to 11 inches possible.

Tonight
Snow showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. Low around 19, with temperatures rising to around 25 overnight. Wind chill values as low as 10. West wind 14 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.

Tuesday
Snow showers before 9am, then snow showers and a chance of thunderstorms. Cloudy. High near 22, with temperatures falling to around 19 in the afternoon. Wind chill values as low as 2. West northwest wind around 24 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible.

Tuesday Night
A chance of snow showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17. Wind chill values as low as 1. West northwest wind 12 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Wednesday
A slight chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 26. West northwest wind around 12 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19.

Thursday
A chance of snow showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 35. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

 

Directions

Willow Heights Trailhead:

 

 

Additional Pictures