Hiking Sugarloaf Peak, Utah – One of Utah’s Easier 11,000 Footers

Sugarloaf Peak is a stunning summit located in Little Cottonwood Canyon near Alta, Utah. This is a beginner to intermediate friendly hike that can be shortened by paying a $10 day parking fee, or hikers can park for free at the Albion Base Trailhead. Here’s 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 – 3.56 miles round trip (5.73 km)
Height – 11,051 feet (3368.34 m)
Elevation gain – 1,601 feet (487.98 m)
Duration – 3-4 hours (book time)
Trailhead Location – Albion Base Trailhead (8,694 Feet) or Cecret Lake Trailhead
Dogs – Not allowed on this trail

 

Need To Know Information

• Dogs are not allowed on this hike.
• As of September 2022, this lake was drained, which means it likely will not be filled until the spring of 2023.
• Swimming is not allowed in any of the lakes in this area.
• This is a popular hike, and you will encounter people. Parking fills up quite fast.
• There are two main routes for this hike. The easiest route requires paying for a day parking pass. Both are explained below.
• Camping is common, as there are campgrounds near this lake. Camping information and regulations below.
• Fishing is allowed at Cecret Lake with a Utah Fishing License.

Trail Map

Download GPX For Lower Trailhead Here

Download GPX For Upper Trailhead Here

 

Routes

 

Sugarloaf Peak Via Cecret Lake Trailhead – 3.56 miles round trip (5.73 km) – 1,601 feet (487.98 m) Elevation Gain

This is a common starting point for those summiting the peaks here, and requires a day pass (explained below) to park at the upper trailhead.

The Cecret Lake Trailhead has a good sized parking lot with overflow parking in another lote only about 100 feet away. This is very well marked and well traveled, so it is easy for hikers to follow the signs and trails to Cecret Lake. The trail moderately gains elevation for the first half mile, and gets a bit steeper in the last quarter mile before reaching Cecret Lake.

After reaching the lake, hikers continue upwards along the well traveled trail towards the summit of Sugarloaf. Hikers also have the option at the lake of taking the route to the left of the lake to the summit, but this trail is not as well maintained, and it is recommended to stay on the standard route behind the lake.

 

Sugarloaf Peak Via Albion Base Trailhead – 7.78 miles round trip (12.52 km) – 2,548 feet (776.63 m) Elevation Gain

This is the route that hikes will take if they want to avoid the day parking fees, or they simply want to hike through the beautiful Albion Basin where wildlife is often seen. Hikers begin at the Albion Base Trailhead and simply follow the trails and signs towards Cecret Lake. This trail remains with a moderate incline just about the entire way on well traveled and well maintained trails. Once reaching the same trail hikers take from the Cecret Lake Trailhead, the hike is the same as the other route.

 

 

Hiking in Winter

This area is not hiked in winter as it is part of the ski resort, and therefore it is being skied on while the resorts are open.

 

Camping Information

There are campgrounds within Albion Basin that can be reserved when they are open. This campground contains 24 camping sites, each with picnic tables and campfire rings. Vault toilets are also on the premise. Information and availability can be found here.

 

Fishing Cecret Lake

Cecret Lake does have fish in it. With our most recent trip, the lake was drained, and therefore we suspect fish have died. We will release more information when we know regarding when this lake will be fishable again. This is a catch and release fishery.

 

Weather

Here is a detailed weather forecast for the area:

Alta, UT

Today
Snow before noon, then snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 21. Wind chill values as low as 2. West wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 5 to 9 inches possible.

Tonight
Partly cloudy. Low around 13, with temperatures rising to around 17 overnight. Wind chill values as low as -1. West southwest wind around 16 mph.

Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 30. Wind chill values as low as 2. Southwest wind 15 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.

Saturday Night
A chance of snow after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. Wind chill values as low as 7. West southwest wind 18 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Sunday
A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 29. West southwest wind 14 to 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Sunday Night
Snow. Cloudy, with a low around 21. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 10 to 14 inches possible.

Monday
Snow. Cloudy, with a high near 23. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 10 to 14 inches possible.

 

Directions

The first trailhead is the lower trailhead that is free to park at. There is free parking along the main road, across the street, and in various locations. Parking is relatively easy, and marked, but the trailhead starts right behind the Alta Ski Shop. This is the Albion Base Trailhead:

The next most common trailhead is the Cecret Lake Trailhead:

 

Hikers can also choose to park at the Catherine Pass Trailhead if they choose. This trailhead is between the lower trailhead and the Cecret Lake Trailhead, and hikers can join the trail system from this parking lot:

 

 

Additional Pictures