The 3 Most Amazing Peaks around Cottonwood Heights

Cottonwood Heights provides direct access to several prominent peaks in the Wasatch Mountains. Notable summits include Mount Olympus, known for its challenging ascent and extensive views, and Grandeur Peak, offering picturesque views of the Salt Lake Valley. Other significant peaks in the area include Lone Peak, Mount Superior, and Clayton Peak.

For breathtaking panoramic views of the Salt Lake Valley, consider View of Salt Lake Valley from Mount Olympus Trail, which provides incredible vistas even from the saddle. Grandeur Peak also offers great views of the valley and surrounding peaks from its 8,299-foot summit. Additionally, Clayton Peak is noted for its amazing 360-degree views, including the Uinta Mountains and Jordanelle State Park on a clear day.

Yes, the region offers several challenging ascents. Mount Olympus features a steep trail with a genuine scramble to the summit. Mount Superior is ideal for seasoned scramblers due to its steep, exposed terrain and rewarding views along the ridge. Lone Peak is considered a significant undertaking, requiring extensive preparation due to its intensity and all-day duration.

For families or beginner peak baggers, Mount Baldy (11,068 feet), located between Snowbird and Alta Ski Resorts, is considered a short and relatively easy summit with a non-technical nature. While the full ascent to Sugarloaf Peak is more challenging, the hike to Cecret Lake, which can be extended to Sugarloaf, is relatively easy and great for families, especially during July for wildflowers.

The mountains around Cottonwood Heights are rich in natural beauty. You can expect to encounter dramatic canyon landscapes, diverse mountain terrain, pristine alpine lakes, and stunning waterfalls, such as those found along the Bells Canyon and Heughs Canyon Trails. The area is also characterized by Big and Little Cottonwood Creeks, providing scenic creek-side paths.

The best time to visit depends on your activity. Summer and early fall are ideal for hiking and scrambling, with July being particularly good for wildflowers around areas like Cecret Lake. Backcountry skiing is popular in winter, while spring and late fall can offer unique experiences but may involve snowpack, especially at higher elevations like Kesler Peak.

Yes, the area offers a wide range of hiking trails. You can find easy walks, moderate ascents like the Bells Canyon Trail to Lower Falls, and challenging multi-hour climbs to summits such as Mount Olympus. For more options, explore the Hiking around Cottonwood Heights guide.

Beyond peak bagging, the canyons offer diverse outdoor activities. Rock climbing is popular in Ferguson Canyon. During summer, the former ski resorts transform into destinations for mountain biking and hiking. You can find various routes in the MTB Trails around Cottonwood Heights guide and the Cycling around Cottonwood Heights guide.

The mountain peaks around Cottonwood Heights are unique due to their accessibility from the city's edge, offering a direct gateway to the majestic Wasatch Mountains. They provide a diverse range of experiences, from challenging scrambles to more moderate ascents, all set within dramatic canyon landscapes and offering world-class views. The area is appreciated by the komoot community for its iconic, high-elevation, and accessible summits.

Kesler Peak (or Kessler Peak) offers stunning views of the ridgeline between Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons. The approach from the north is generally well-defined, but if you plan to descend or ascend from the east, expect to do some route-finding. The trail is not overly difficult when snow-free, aside from its steepness, but becomes much more challenging when crossing lingering snowpack into the summer.

Given the varied terrain, good footwear with strong traction is essential, especially for rocky and potentially muddy spots on trails like Mount Olympus Trail. For challenging scrambles, appropriate climbing or scrambling gear might be necessary. Always be prepared for changing weather conditions in the mountains, and consider bringing plenty of water, especially on exposed trails during hot days.