Big Cottonwood, Brighton Loop, Peak Link-up

A mixed scramble, hike, and trail running loop in Big Cottonwood Canyon featuring Brighton Resort's Major Peaks

Alpine Climbing Moderate

Distance: 9.9 km
Ascent: 803 m
Descent: 803 m

Low Point: 2.7 km
High Point: 3.2 km
Gradient: 19˚

Big Cottonwood, Brighton Loop, Peak Link-up Map

Start at the base of the Millicent Chairlift at Brighton Resort and make your way up the service road to the top of the lift. From the top of the chairlift, head towards Mount Millicent by scrambling through scree-fields and rock fields until reaching the summit.

Sunset on Sunset Peak Photo: Madison Rose Ostergren

Lake Mary, Brighton Photo: Madison Rose Ostergren

Ridgeline Running Photo: Madison Rose Ostergren, Photographer: Scott Markewitz

View of Lake Catherine via Ridgeline Photo: Madison Rose Ostergren

Ridge near Tuscarora Photo: Madison Rose Ostergren, Pictured: Justin Bean

Sunset on ridge to Sunset Peak Photo: Madison Rose Ostergren, Photographer: Marcus Caston

Sunset Ridge Running Photo: Madison Rose Ostergren, Photographer: Marcus Caston

Description

Next descend towards Mount Wolverine and cross the large field/sidehill and hop on the ridgeline. Here there is the option to go up to summit Wolverine.

From the ridgeline, head to the summit of Mount Tuscarora and then over to Catherines Pass/ Rocky Point area. Here there is a large trail intersection with multiple options. Take either Option 1 and descend to the Brighton base area via the well-trafficked Brighton Lake Mary/Lake Catherine Trail, or take Option 2 and head over to sunset peak, or take option 3 and drop into Alta Ski Area via Catherine's pass to Little Cottonwood.

If you continue straight toward Sunset Peak (Option 2), you will hike up a sandy trail towards Sunset Peak. After reaching Sunset Peak, head back the way you came. Once you hit the trail intersection in Catherines again, head down towards Lake Catherine and then down the well-trafficked trail to the base of Brighton Resort.