Strictly speaking, the Brighton Lakes Trail leaves from Brighton resort and goes up to Lake Mary,…read moreLake Martha, and Lake Catherine. There are other lakes in the area, and you can leave from the Solitude Nordic area (Silver Lake) and visit those lakes (Solitude, Twin Lakes), which you might mistake for Brighton Lakes as they are, y'know, lakes around Brighton. But for clarity's sake, this is the trail that takes you right up the ski slope before veering off and climbing up to those three lady lakes. The trail is a popular one, and that means you won't be alone. As a kid, I remember my dad taking us here one Saturday and we had the place to ourselves. Martha has a tiny island and I remember it seeming so big and so far out there... but as an adult I realize it was just my kid brain and kid memory. It's a nice lake, but Mary is the really big body of water up there. As an adult, too, I see that on a Saturday especially you won't have the place to yourself. In fact, these days as many have cancelled their summer vacations and are staying home, you'll need to be on the trail by 7am to have only moderate crowds. If you wait until 9 or 10am it will be a constant stream of people. Parking at Brighton is currently free, but any other hike in the canyon will be totally packed if you wait until after 7am. The trail itself is quite wonderful. You go up the slopes, and then veer off before gradually climbing up to the trees and large rocks. It never gets crazy steep or scary, though if you have to traverse in the snow you might be a little sketched out. It's only a couple of miles, although if you want to push on beyond the lakes you can hike up the ridge and beyond and it adds more miles. There are fish in the lakes, and we saw some kiddos out dunking a worm beneath a bobber. I don't think that's a main draw, but there were some fly fisherman giving it a go, too, so it does attract all kinds. The vast majority, however, are just out to stretch their legs and take in the views. All the hiking warnings apply--be prepared, pack lots of water as it does get hot, even though some of it is in the shade. Wildlife abounds, but give them plenty of space. Enjoy the summer wildflowers. And appreciate the fact that this is practically in your backyard if you live in SLC.

Are you seeking a longer, but low-challenge hike? Fair amount of shade with a plethora of wildlife?…read moreALL THE WILDFLOWERS if visiting around July? The opportunity to explore SEVEN lakes? Well, you have found your trail! Arriving at 6:30am, we began at Silver Lake, parking in the Brighton Visitor's Center lot, and taking the boardwalk toward the wooded area on the backside of the Lake. From here, you can trek the Lake Solitude Trail on the right to that same named lake, and then return to the Twin Lakes trail, but we went straight to the latter. In the future I'd hit up Lake Solitude, though (it's only a little out of the way), and you should too! As the trail begins, there is a portion bordered by rocks on each side, and little pikas scurried all about! They were not particularly frightened of us, so I got quite close, and they are heartbreakingly adorable. Following that, the incline steepens, but only for a bit, and it is probably the most you'll experience for the entirety of your hike, so it's nice to get it out of the way first thing. When we arrived at Twin Lakes we met a moose crowned by a gigantic rack, so did not really explore that area. He was completely unperturbed by us, and contentedly continued munching his leafy breakfast. The next portion of the trail is mostly wooded, lush, green, and particularly gorgeous. We saw a female moose just as soon as we entered the forested part, and happened upon a dead porcupine (oh, to see a live one in the wild!). The trail is mostly flat as it delivers you to Lake Mary (my favorite!). This is the largest of these bodies of water, but I loved her for the surrounding rocky scenery. You will find silvery schools of fish glinting in the sunlight, translucent emerald water, and myriad varying views as you trek around the lake. Moving onward, the incline increases slightly, but it's nothing major. Lake Martha will shortly appear on your right. She was small, surrounded by grass, and we did not linger too long. It will take a bit more time to arrive at Catherine, but the trail is easy and mostly shaded. When you reach a fork in the trail, take the left (with a sign regarding camping 200 feet from bodies of water) to head straight to Lake Catherine, or take the right (with a "trail" sign) up to the peak. The latter is exposed and a little rocky with a steeper incline. You can continue on that same route to Sunset Peak for a view of all three lakes, but we opted to stop here, admiring the view of Lake Catherine's glittering surface, then heading back, and taking the trail, now on our right, to break at Catherine, my second favorite lake. There were masses of wildflowers, and the water was near luminously clear. As you retrace your steps on the way to the remaining portion of the loop, you are treated to a stunning vista of the previous lakes and mountains beyond, then a wide-spanning view of fields and Dog Lake on your right. Dog Lake, a smaller, marshy spot, looks like a moose's dream hang out, and was our last stop. Following this, the trail is much wider, open, and more crowded. While not bad, it certainly suffered in comparison to the hike previous. In the future, though I would be sad to miss Dog Lake, I would probably skip it and make my return from the sister lakes back toward Silver Lake, but it is also nice not to have to go back the way you came. I just found the congested trail off-putting after previously experiencing all the serenity of nature with little interruption by other people. We started at 6:30am. This hike took us 4 hours, at an easygoing pace and with short breaks at each lake. Including additional wandering/off trail exploration, it ended up a total of 7.3 miles. Speaking of which, the trails are not marked well, in fact, are not marked most of the time. I would recommend utilizing the Alltrails app. We did, and even so still got off track for a bit. TL;DR - Fairly easy hike, especially for one nearing 7 miles. Excellent if you enjoy variety, and as it is a loop with only backtracking through the three sister lakes, there is always something new to see. Expect lots of animals, including moose, pika, chipmunks, ground squirrels, rabbits, butterflies, and birds. Some exposed areas, but more is shaded, with heavily wooded portions. Alltrails app is a must as the trails are poorly marked. Busy at the start and end.

This was an amazing scenic drive that was highly recommend by a friend who lives in town. I took…read morethe drive early in the morning stopping at a few different places to take more and more pictures. It was beautiful. I passed a stop called the bloods lake hike which I remember reading about as I was planning my trip. So I stopped to take the hike. I thought it was going to be shorter than it was so I left my bag with water, back up charger, etc. Wish I brought it with me. The hike to bloods lake and back from the parking lot took 3.3 miles. It was tough for me because of the inclines and I'm no hiker. I'm from Florida and used to flat land so I don't know if my calves have ever worked so hard. The trail was very populated giving it was a Monday. Many people with dogs. The view once you arrive to the lake is worth the journey! I took a couple photos before my phone died. I then returned to this drive later in the evening to watch the sunset. I stopped at the one of the fist stops called empire pass and it was gorgeous. Same view as the morning but so much prettier with the colors in the sky!

***UPDATED REVIEW = My review is NOT for Guardsman Pass Overlook I did NOT go here. Yelp for some…read morereason attached my review for the Lake Lackawaxen Trail and Lake to Guardsman Pass Overlook. I never even went to the lookout. The trail starts down the street at the parking lot across the street from the new Bloods Lake Trail. Who ever the yelper app people are that did this it's not cool. You don't live here so you don't know the area. Trust that when people add a new "listing" they know what they are talking about! To get to Lake Lackawaxen trail you will need to first hike about 1.8 miles on the Bloods Lake Trail until you get to the lake. (which is a beautiful lake) Continue on the trail, which is clearly marked about a mile more up the trail. This part of the trail is a little more steep, and definitely more rocky but well worth the climb. There is a fork in the road where you can continue to go towards the left or make a right and climb up to Clayton Peak. If you want to go to Lackawaxen stay on the left side of the trail. It takes you past a couple rock scrambles but are easy enough to pass. This lake is very serene, and peaceful not as many people climb up to this lake as the one below. Dogs are allowed on the trail just not near the lake. Please respect the rules and keep your dog from going into the water as this is our watershed. Perfect time of the year to climb to the lake as the leaves are changing colors and the temps are much cooler.

A stunning hike! We started at the trailheald to BLOODS LAKE, a busy spot with families swimming…read moreand playing with RC vehicles on the rocks and in the water.. headed up to Lake Lackawxen which is only a mile up the trail from Bloods Lake. Just beyond beautiful and a fairly easy hike. Some shaded spots for my husband and some full on sun spots for me. A fairly busy trail but not so much that it was hard to enjoy the serenity. Parking does look to be a challenge- we got lucky and someone was leaving so we were able to grab that spot. A place I'd gladly return!

Trail to the lake is rated moderate and is a short hike around 3 miles rounds trip…read more Dogs are allowed on the trail if kept on a leash. Dogs are NOT permitted 100 feet near the lake due to pathogens. Inflated are prevalent in this area so keep an eye out. We didn't see any today, which I was hoping to do. Lake Lackawxen is only a mile up the trail from Bloods Lake , so we hiked up there as well. Both Lakes are Beautiful especially this time of year. Road closes for tje winter so tje best time to hike this area is from spring to fall. DOG OWNERS please pick up after your dogs and take it out with you. Too many dog bags on the trail today.

Parking is sparse. The trail is pretty much up hill all the way. I am a senior, and in shape from…read moreswimming, biking , kettle bells and walking. Not much hiking these days. Lots of loose small and big rocks. No boulders. I did NOT wake up sore the next morning. However, the hike is worth the view at the top. This should have been named the Iron Man trail.

Continuously steep and rocky terrain. Crosses through some forest and open areas…read more No parking lot. Need to go on the side residential roads to park. Best to take walking sticks.

We have hiked to Lake Solitude many times from Silver Lake and enjoyed this short hike through…read moreaspens, towering pines, and wildflowers. Although Lake Solitude isn't as impressive as the nearby Twin Lakes, Lake Mary, or Lake Catherine, it's a beautiful scenic hike nonetheless. Of course, it's especially outstanding when the fall colors are changing, and the aspens are brilliantly golden.

You actually have plenty of hiking options when you leave from this trailhead, so this Yelp page…read moreserves as sort of a homepage for them; a launching off place, if you will. A choose your own adventure. The trail begins near Silver Lake, which shares the parking lot with the Solitude Nordic Center. This place is packed with folks most of the time, especially on weekends. But if you venture around the lake to the north, you'll find the launching off spot. You can do as some people do, and head up to the namesake Lake Solitude. You'll climb up some 300 feet to the small-ish lake and it's about 3.5 miles round trip. Most people, however, opt to take the southern loop and head up to Twin Lakes Reservoir. That's nearly 800 feet of elevation gain in about 2.5 miles round trip. From either destination you have a multitude of other options, as trails and 4x4 roads criss-cross this ski hill, though none are as cut and dry as these two lakes, with distinct destination end points. You could also hike north and eventually pop out at Solitude Resort. Although it's not quite a backcountry excursion, what with the ski lifts and big dam, well-marked trails, and dirt roads in view a good chunk of the time, this trailhead does afford access to some quick little excursions when you don't have a ton of time but need to get into the pines and aspens near 9000ft.

Round Valley is one of my favorite outdoor spots, especially for cross-country skiing and hiking…read more It's just over the mountain and about a 30-minute drive from my house, making it a perfect little getaway that doesn't take all day. The trails are usually in great condition--of course, that can vary a bit depending on the snow, but overall, it's really well maintained. I love that there are usually a few other people out there. It gives you a sense of community without feeling crowded or chaotic. The terrain is just right: gentle hills that let you pick up some speed without being exhausting to climb. One time I even saw a herd of elk out there, it was magical! The scenery is absolutely stunning year-round and makes it easy to just lose yourself in the beauty of the landscape. Highly recommend it if you're looking for a peaceful, scenic place to get outdoors.

This is a nice easy trail with trail markers that easily identify the trails. We saw a lot of…read morebikers, dog walkers, etc. We only did a quick loop - Hat Trick, quick right on Fast Pitch, then Fairway Hills Connector.

This trail on the southeast side of town is beautiful, well shaded, and right along a stream. The…read moretrailhead is in a neighborhood. There are some parking spaces flanking the trail, and overflow parking down the street. Other parking along the street is permit only, with warning signs that threaten fines and towing without notice. A paved ramp and amphitheatre sit trail adjacent. The beginning of the trail looks tame and fairly pleasant (except for all the dog poo bags littered about; carry the poo out, people). But don't be fooled! It quickly turns rocky and the are some steep areas. After rain, the sandy spots can be a bit slick. The bubbling water and shade are quite pleasant on a hot day. But it can be a bit buggy. I was bitten by what looked to be some black flies and mosquitoes. The trail isn't well marked and there are a few offshoots that lead in different directions. Some parts seem narrow and overgrown. For the most part, follow the water to stay on the trail. I didn't see many people. Most people appeared towards the beginning of the trail; most with dogs off leash. A nice trail for respite from the sun, but is not really a beginner's trail. Footwear with good grip and ankle support recommended.

Oh man if you are looking for a challenging hike this one is for you…read more I had no idea this trail even existed so close to the city until, I ran across a review from an old friend of mine on google maps. Cool that there is a hike that's close to the city and is dog friendly. I used google maps to get me to this hike. It's in a neighborhood, and has very limited parking. There isn't parking on the street in front of the houses, unless you have a permit, your car will be towed. (there is overflow parking about a block or so down the street) Now back to the trail review... At first the trail is pretty easy, and I had my dog on a leash obeying the signs. Pretty quickly the trail starts to get a bit rocky, and you run into some make shift stairs going down closer to the river, which you can hear right away. Then the elevation gain starts, and doesn't end until you come down from your hike. The trail is beautiful, and has a good amount of shade and water. The trail is not well defined as far as signage goes. At one point I came to a stand still because I didn't know where to go. The trail I was on came right up to the river, and I couldn't see a trail beyond if you crossed it, and there definitely wasn't a defined trail to my right. I thought what do I do now cross the river? Thankfully a family with small children came around the rocky bend and I asked them which way to go. They said they always take the rocky way through the river. It's a good thing I had my hiking boots on. Most of this hike is ROCKY, climbing over boulders and very large rocks on very sandy soil. It didn't help that it rained this morning. I was slipping and sliding. At this point I took my dog off her leash. It's not in your best interest or the dogs to be dragged on this rocky trail ,with a leash around it's neck, getting pulled here and there. There was one point on the trail that was almost a 99% vertical climb that I sat down with tears in my eyes. I was scared. I kept thinking I have to come down this when I turn around. I should just turn around now, but I wanted to finish to the end to feel a sense of accomplishment. There are no switchbacks on this trail that would have helped with this section, so I made my own, and got past this section. I was holding on to what I could and said "I don't care if there are any snakes I have to get out of here". (as luck would have it there wasn't any, I think I would have passed out if there was coming face to face with a rattler) Each part of the trail became more beautiful, and more changeling. I ran across a section where you could tell a rock slide happened, and you just kept climbing over the boulders. "I can make it, I know I can." There were two sections that you have to walk through the river to continue on the trail. I don't know how the river is at any other time of the year, but it wasn't rushing so fast that you couldn't pass it if you want to go to the end. You have to pass it. I logged on the the all trails app to make sure I was on the trail. It said I was and I only had a little ways left to go to the end. Rain clouds were forming and I thought I better turn back because the trail was slippery enough I didn't need to be caught on the trail when it was a down pour. Plus my little doggy was doing this trail as well, I had to think of her too. There was hardly any people on this trail today, but when I did run across any, they had younger kids with them. Mind you All Trails has this trail rated as Hard. The rain clouds started to form so I turned around. I have to say it was easier to come down than it was to go up. When I came down I ran into a couple of people learning how to mountain climb. I guess this is a popular spot to do that. I would like to go back, and climb all the way to the top. Next time I'll know what to expect, but seriously doubt I'll make it.

Parking is avail along the main street on Wasatch Blvd. Just a heads up, the residential area on…read moreEagle View Drive has signs saying no parking if you're there for the trail. Once you park, you'll walk thru the neighborhood to reach the trail entrance. I actually enjoyed the walk and checking out the beautiful homes along the way. There are no public restrooms btw. The trail starts with 60+ stair steps, then it levels out into mostly flat gravel. Closer to the waterfall, there are some small rocks, and light water streams run over them, so just watch your step to avoid slipping. I climbed up the big rocks to get a closer look at the upper waterfall stream. Overall, it was an easy hike, but I spent a good few hours there soaking in the quiet nature during the week. There were only a handful of other hikers. On the way back, I did a short detour onto the Bonneville Shoreline Trail for about 30 mins in before I turned around since I wasn't familiar with that route.

I wouldn't say this was an easy hike, but more of a short hike, with a pretty cool waterfall at the…read moreend for kids. No parking anywhere close to the trailhead. This tail is in a neighborhood therefore there is no parking on the street in the neighborhood. There is parking out on the main road. After you find parking you have to walk through the neighborhood on the sidewalk up a steady incline. The trailhead starts out with stairs which are hard to climb for little legs. After the stairs the trail get easier but is rocky. After you get to the waterfall, if the water is low, you can actually stand underneath it, or really close to it. On the decent down if your shoes are wet be careful. It can be slippery over the rocks, and then there is a patch of trail that is really sandy. Slip, slide... There is a part of the trail where you can head south on the BTL, but we just headed back to the car. On the way down walking through the neighborhood there was a house that had two deer running around their yard that was gated. I have no idea how they got in there as the house has a very tall fence. Good trail for the little kid, but trail is narrow, and very crowded. I would suggest going in the late afternoon, as there isn't as many people.