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

Hiking Extreme

Distance: 9.9 km
Ascent: 803 m
Descent: 803 m
Duration: 3-4 hrs

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

Big Cottonwood, Brighton Loop, Peak Link-up Map

Note: this route warrants a "Moderate" Mountaineering difficulty rating.

Photo from Big Cottonwood, Brighton Loop, Peak Link-up — Photo: Scott Markewitz

Description

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.

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.

Difficulty

Extreme

Scrambling up mountains and along technical trails with moderate fall exposure. Handholds are necessary to navigate the trail in its entirety, although they are not necessary at all times. Some obstacles can be very large and difficult to navigate, and the grades can often be near-vertical. The challenge of the trail and the steepness of the grade results in very strenuous hiking. Hikes of this difficulty blur the lines between "hiking" and "climbing".