The Cottonwoods

To the east of Salt Lake City are several canyons.  Two, Big Cottonwood and Little Cottonwood, are home to world-class ski areas.  Little Cottonwood is home to the rustic Alta, and the swanky Snowbird ski areas.  Big Cottonwood is home to the rustic Brighton, and the posh Solitude ski areas.  Camping, hiking and rock climbing are attractions to both canyons.  The next two posts are written about both canyons.

A Day in Big Cottonwood Canyon

Big Cottonwood Canyon is a long curving canyon.  Today it is home to two ski resorts, a few hundred people, and thousands of animals.

A Little History

Big Cottonwood Canyon was quickly discovered by the Mormon Pioneers, and by 1853, three saw mills were operating in the area.  One family found their way to the eastern end of the canyon and left a legacy that continues to this day.

William Stuart and Catherine Brighton came to the Salt Lake Valley from Scotland. They were Mormon converts.  They would find their way up to the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon, first to mine silver, and then to run a hotel and store.  As miners would find their way over the pass from Alta in Little Cottonwood Canyon, they would stop to spend the night with the Brightons before going up Guardsman Pass into Park City.  Catherine Brighton was an excellent cook and hostess, and her reputation as both soon had her husband running a small hotel.  Catherine's name would be given to a lake, a mountain pass, and a section of Alta ski area in the next canyon.  The name Brighton is now the name of the small village and ski area near where the original Brighton's lived.  Brighton Ski Resort is the oldest ski resort in Utah, and the first to allow snowboarding.

Brighton Today

Unlike the posh village of Alta in Little Cottonwood Canyon, Brighton Village is more rustic.

This high mountain marsh is home to many animals.  Unfortunately, some frogs, and salamanders are now close to extinction.

Catherine Brighton named Silver Lake, where she would catch the fish she would serve her guests.  Fishing is still allowed.  The area is a protected area.

To the left is the way to the Salt Lake Valley.  To the right is Guardsman Pass.  The majority of the pass is a gravel road and is only open when the snow has melted.

The original entrance to Solitude Ski Area.

The swankier alpine village at Solitude.

A Tradition of Camping

Mormon congregations are known as wards, or in smaller versions, branches. My ward has a 60-year tradition of camping in Big Cottonwood Canyon at the Spruces Campground. Families can either camp for the three days reserved, or come up for the big dinner. I came up for a day to play in the wilderness and to be with friends. Enjoy the photos.

Yes!  I found the Skittles and Cheetos!

Life would be so much easier if my parents would just let me touch the fire!  (And she was determined to touch!)

Watermelon is my best friend!

Father and son.

When adults play with marshmellows!

Evening Picnic

And a good time was had by all.

Hiking Albion Meadows

30 miles southeast of Salt Lake City lies the town and ski area known as Alta.  At the very eastern end of Little Cottonwood Canyon, Alta is a year-round destination for skiiers and hikers.

Alta History

Silver was discovered in the 1960s in Little Cottonwood Canyon.  Two small towns grew up, Central City, and Alta.  Only Alta still exists, and on top of the former Central City.  With minors, the town had about 1,000 people.  When the mining went bust, the town was almost deserted.

This is how Alta is typically remembered.

In the 1930s, several Salt Lake City businessmen formed a committee to see if a ski area could be developed in the Alta area.  The town of Alta had been deeded to the U.S. Forest Service.  Using Sun Valley, Idaho, as a model, a ski area was developed under Alf Engen, a Norwegian-born skiier.

The two red lines to the left are the Albion and Sunnyside lifts, located in the Albion Basin.  This is where the original town of Alta was.  Central City was located near the right two red lines (Collins and Wildcat lifts). 

The modern town of Alta, population around 400, lies directly west of Wildcat run.

Our Hike

Our group had originally planned to hike up to Cecret Lake.  However, the road was closed.  We could have still hiked up, but with six small children with us, we elected to hike the Albion Meadows area below the Albion ski lift.  Enjoy the pictures.

The road to Cecret Lake

Where we went.

We saw a moose.  The next three pictures are mountain views.

This area is known as Catherine's Area, named for Catherine Brighton.

Our youngest "hiker" was Elliot, who is about 18 months old.  He "hikes" with his daddy, Dave.

Part way up, I spotted a chair from the chairlift.