Cecret Lake -- 4 Heels

Cecret Lake is one of those secrets you just have to share. Tucked away above Alta Ski Resort, this hidden lake is a treat for young and old alike. All of my prior research indicated that the hike was a "stroll". If your idea of a stroll is walking down 5th Avenue in the Easter Parade, you are going to be in for a shock. The path is on a continual incline that is mostly smooth, but I did see 3 grown men stumble. To get to the lake, there is quite a bit of a climb. The path isn't terribly difficult but be prepared for an elevation gain of 280 ft with most of it over 0.09 miles.

The length of the hike seems to be widely debated. Every post I've read ranges from 3/4 of a mile to 1 mile to 1.25 miles. The sign just across the walk from this one posted the hike at 0.4 miles, so there is even disparity at the site itself.

So here are the minutes. It took me 26 minutes to get up to the lake, which left 27 minutes to enjoy the views, and 37 minutes to descend [there were far more people coming up the path at that point].

I wore my canvas wedges [donut falls] again as they are reinforced with ridged rubber bottoms, which make climbing the somewhat slick rocks easy. The hike has been toted as family friendly, and I'd have to agree. Halfway up the hike I became blended with a family that had everyone from newborn to grandpa and they were all doing just fine.

It is a bit chilly. There was about a 40 degree difference in temperature from the valley to the trailhead. Fortunately I had my green trenchcoat in the car which worked out well. The trail is very wide so there were no branches, etc. to do damage to clothing.

The drive up is quite impressive. At one point on the road my heart dropped and I had a sudden fear of heights, but that quickly passed and I got to take in some great views. The elevation gain from the bottom of the trail to the lake may only be 280 ft, but the lake does sit high at an elevation of 9750 feet, so expect some thin air.

I have to say it was a bit surreal seeing the ski lift chairs and signs for runs with no snow on the mountains. There is a hearty bed of wildflowers covering the mountainside, which serve as a great hearthstone to views of Devil's Castle.

I've realized, and possibly more so on this hike than others, we keep trying to take pictures to show how impressive the views are, but keep coming up short and only seem to really end up with pictures of piles of rocks that seem to blend together. With landscape this vast and impressive, it really has to be experienced. The camera lens does little to convey the experience of feeling so small and yet so on top of the world all at the same time. This is one of those trips, from the incredible height of the pine trees, to the incredible panoramic views of the surrounding mountains that just needs to be soaked in.

Apparel: Skinny jeans, black Yoko Ono t-shirt, lime green trench coat
Shoes: 4" canvas wedges

Directions: Follow Little Cottonwood Canyon until you can't go anymore. Just past Alta Ski Resort, the road turns into a rather rough gravel road. While it lacks major craters, the plethora of small divots makes it treacherous, take your time. You'll make a few hairpin turns and then keep ascending. You'll crest at the trailhead for Lake Catherine, if you need to visit a restroom, this is the closest one. Continue on the gravel road just a small way further and you'll come to the parking lot for the trailhead at the Albion Basin campsite. Signage was plentiful, but there have been reports of missing markers.

Donut Falls -- 4 Heels

I did it! I made it to Donut Falls in great time, in good weather, and in my 4 inch canvas wedges. There are reasons this is a very popular hike. The tall evergreens intermingled among the aspens fragrant the air in a soothing pine scent, an aroma therapy you can't beat. The rhythm of your feet on a well packed trail compliments the babbling water below, enticing you toward the source.

The incline is gradual making it a nice evening hike. My roundtrip time from trailhead to the falls took about 1 hour 5 minutes, allowing time for photos, waiting for youth groups to clear out of shots, and allowing others to come down the falls before proceeding upwards.

I was successful in hiking up and scaling the falls with dry feet in my wedges, but like many hiking shoe clad patrons, the way down was a bit of a splash. Overall, the hike was rewarding but not horribly demanding. A great hike for families. I've seen some recommending the same for the elderly, while the walk up would fit, getting to la piece de resistance requires climbing down some boulders. So unless grandma is quite flexible, leaving her before the falls might be a bit of a let down.

Apparel: Adidas track pants and John Lennon 1974 Worn Free Hoodie.
Shoes: Green camo canvas 4" wedges

Directions: I-215 to exit 6, South on Route 190, turn right into Big Cottonwood Canyon. The road to the trail head is 9 miles up the canyon across from the Mill D trail head [about a 18 minute drive]. There is a huge "Permit Required" sign at the entrance of the road -- note that requirement applies to winter camping. Proceed up the road at 20 mph, through the private driveway area, and onto a graveled road. The gravel road has several potholes that come up suddenly on the way up and are more obvious on the way down. Parking is very limited at the trail head, though on a weekday evening night, there should be ample room. Note that the gate to the trail closes at 10PM so make sure you have enough time to make it up and back so you're not locked in!

The "U" - 4 Heels

As a BYU Alum, I'm a bit ashamed to say that this was my second hike. There's the obvious reason that, well, it's the University of Utah's "U", but mostly because --- really? This is what you call "hiking the U"???

You would think a symbolic rite of passage would require more of its patrons. I hate to say it, but websites like www.byurejects.com seem appropriate at this time.

While the Block U sits 5300 feet above sea level, don't let it fool you. I would have given this hike 5 heels, but I couldn't waste the treasured 5 heels on this one. A beautiful drive, and mostly a drive, the trailhead for this hike is in a private neighborhood. That is it's completely paved, as in you are literally walking on the street --- for a mere 1/4 mile round trip. The difficult part --- driving up there.

Apparel: Capri Jeans, Audrey Hepburn t-shirt
Shoes: 3 inch Green Peeptoe Wedges

Don't even think of bringing a water bottle. You'll be done before you twist the cap off.

Directions: Go West on South Temple. Turn right on Virginia Street. Follow Virginia Avenue straight North and around until you come to a T and turn right on Chandler Street. Turn right on Tomahawk Dr. Be aware of no parking signs at the top of the cul-de-sac.