Red Pine Lakes
Lower & Upper Red Pine Lakes are classic high alpine hikes in Salt Lake City's Wasatch Front. The trailhead is the White Pine Trailhead 5.5 miles up Little Cottonwood Canyon.
The hikes are steep, but absolutely gorgeous. Take your time, bring lots of water and snacks, and you'll enjoy this hike more than a Netflix binge. Not kidding.
During winter months, bring your snowshoes or touring skis, and check the avalanche forecast before you go.
White Pine Trailhead
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The parking area for the White Pine Trailhead is about 5.5 miles up Little Cottonwood Canyon, just below Snowbird. It is signed and easy to find. From the trailhead, the trail follows an old four-wheel-drive track southwest into White Pine Canyon. There a signed fork in the trail leads out of the canyon and up to Lower Red Pine Lake.
Lower Red Pine Lake
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The trail is well-maintained and easy to follow up to Lower Red Pine. The lake is set in a rocky alpine cirque.
Upper Red Pine Lake
(40.5393, -111.688)
To reach the upper lake, hike up the stream that flows into Lower Red Pine. There is no maintained trail, but a hiker-made trail follows the stream and it's easy to follow.
White Pine Lake
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White Pine Lake is another popular hiking destination from the same trailhead.
Red Pine Lakes | Photo Gallery
Red Pine Lake
Photo credit: Carrie Cox