Lake Martha Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah

Lake Martha – Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah



The Trek Details

The Trek in a snapshot

Location: Brighton, Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah
Managing Agency: National Forest Service, Brighton Ski Resort
Pets: Not allowed Pets are not allowed in Big Cottonwood Canyon for watershed protection purposes
Fees: None
Restrooms: Yes at Silver Lake trailhead or at Brighton Ski Resort if it's open
Camping: Yes. You are only allowed to camp if you camp 200 ft from any lake, stream, or creek
Trail Condition: Good dirt trail. Easy to see
Distance: 3.1 miles roundtrip
Time Required: 2-4 hours
Sights: Lake Mary and Lake Martha
Best Season: Spring, summer, fall
Water Info: Bring 1-2 liters of water Swimming is not allowed in any of the lakes
Parking Elevation: 8741 ft
Summit Elevation: 9602 ft
Elevation Difference: 861 ft
Trek Planner Maps

Trail Map

GPS Coordinates

Trailhead: 40.59822, -111.58412
Lake Martha: 40.58573, -111.59144

Experience. Discover. Explore.

The Trail

Follow along on our adventure then go out on your own!

Be a responsible explorer



On this trail you will see two lakes: first Lake Mary and then Lake Martha.

The trail begins at the Brighton Ski Resort.  Just park anywhere in the giant parking area and hike up a hundred yards until you see the signs pointing you to Lake Catherine (which is the same trail to Lake Martha).

Lake Martha is at the middle of a beautiful trail in Big Cottonwood Canyon near Salt Lake City.  This popular trail travels on the Brighton Ski Resort for about 3/4 mile until it cuts west.  There is a good trail to follow as you hike on the mountain meadows and in between patches of pine trees and aspen trees.  This part is where you will gain about 700 ft in elevation until you come to Lake Mary.

Once you hike the roughly 3/4 mile you will go inside a pine forest and will probably hear a waterfall in the distance.  Hike another hundred yards or so and you will come to a junction sign that points you to Dog Lake or to Lake Catherine.  Take the right trail to Lake Catherine.  Lake Martha is in between Lake Mary and Lake Catherine.

You will cross over a small bridge and if you want to see the top of the waterfall follow the creek down a little ways and you will see it.  It’s very steep here so please be careful of the slippery edges. 



Go back to the bridge and continue on the trail.

The trail will hug close to the creek and you will eventually see the dam to Lake Mary in the distance. Hike up the south side of the dam until you come to the top of it where Lake Mary will be in view.

Lake Mary is the largest of the the two lakes on this hike.  The lake is surrounded by granite rocks and pine trees!  Mt. Millicent is directly the west of Lake Mary.  If you look to your south west you will see Mt. Wolverine.

Lake Mary



Lake Mary
Lake Mary

The trail to Lake Martha continues on the east side of the lake and then skirts the southern side until you see a small creek.  This creek comes from Lake Martha.  Lake Martha is very close to Lake Mary so it’s not too much farther!



Lake Mary
Looking back at Lake Mary

Lake Martha is the smallest of the two lakes and is below Mt. Tuscarora.  Mt. Wolverine is just behind Mt. Tuscarora now. 



Lake Martha
Lake Martha
Lake Martha

If you want some better views of Lake Martha hike up the trail a little ways farther until you come to a clearing in the trees.

Lake Martha
Personal Thoughts

Personal Thoughts

The hike to Lake Martha is great one! If you are looking for a great adventure up Big Cottonwood Canyon, you have found it.

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[…] the pine forest it gets immensely better!  There are three other lakes beyond Dog Lake: Lake Mary, Lake Martha and Lake Catherine.  If you have time, you should visit these lakes […]

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