Overview
Red Pine Lake sits in a granite cirque at 10,000 feet in Little Cottonwood Canyon within the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, about 3.4 miles from the trailhead and a 2,100-foot climb above it. It is one of the premier alpine lake destinations in the Wasatch Front, with one significant advantage over the area's better-known lakes: it requires enough effort to keep the crowd at a manageable size. The lake sits directly below Pfeifferhorn (11,326 ft), one of the more dramatic peaks in the central Wasatch, and the view of the peak reflected in the still water on a calm morning is the image most people associate with this hike.
The trail begins at the White Pine Trailhead, shared with the White Pine Lake route, which branches off at about 1.5 miles. The shared approach climbs steadily through pine and fir forest before the trails split. The Red Pine route continues south, climbing more steeply into the cirque through open granite terrain. The upper basin is a classic high-alpine environment: cold, spare, rocky, and stunning on a clear day.
Little Cottonwood Canyon is one of the most geologically dramatic canyons in the Salt Lake Valley. The canyon walls are Precambrian quartzite and granite, and the canyon itself was carved by a large glacier during the Pleistocene. The canyon's granite is the same material that built the Salt Lake Temple, quarried in the 1800s. The geology gives the upper basins their distinctive character: clean gray rock, angular ridgelines, and lakes that tend toward deep blue or green depending on the light.
This is a mountain hike in the fullest sense. The last mile into the cirque involves rocky terrain, exposed sections, and altitude that will humble sea-level visitors. The elevation at the trailhead is about 7,700 feet, and you top out near 10,000 feet. Allow 4 to 5 hours for the round trip. Little Cottonwood Canyon is subject to the same watershed dog-prohibition rules as Big Cottonwood Canyon; the dog allowance here (above Snowbird) is one of the distinctions that makes this trailhead preferable for hikers traveling with pets. For a longer Wasatch summit instead of a lake, Mount Timpanogos in American Fork Canyon takes the commitment to another level entirely. The Grandeur Peak trail in Mill Creek Canyon makes a good pre-trip acclimation hike before attempting the higher terrain here.
The Route
Miles 0 to 1.5: White Pine Trail shared approach. From the trailhead, the path enters the canyon on a well-maintained dirt trail, climbing through Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir, and white pine. The grade is moderate and consistent. Little Cottonwood Creek runs parallel for much of this section, providing a water source and constant background noise. The trail is well-marked, with regular trail signs at junctions. At 1.5 miles, the junction with the White Pine Lake trail appears on the right. Stay left for Red Pine Lake.
Miles 1.5 to 2.5: Steeper climbing through the forest. After the junction, the trail climbs more steeply as it curves south toward the Red Pine drainage. The forest thins as you gain elevation, giving way to smaller trees and more exposed rock. The canyon narrows and the walls close in. Views of the surrounding ridgeline begin to open up. This middle section is the most sustained climb of the hike, gaining roughly 800 feet in a mile through a mix of switchbacks and straight pitches.
Miles 2.5 to 3.4: Open terrain and the cirque. Above about 9,200 feet, the forest gives way almost entirely to open rock and meadow. Wildflowers fill the meadow sections in July and August: Indian paintbrush, columbine, phlox, and lupine appear in the rocky soils. The trail becomes less defined in places and relies more on cairns. The final 0.3 miles crosses the lip of the cirque and drops slightly to the lake shore.
Red Pine Lake. The lake is roughly 15 acres, set in a bowl of granite with a small inlet stream from the upper basin. Pfeifferhorn fills the sky to the south, its summit nearly 1,300 feet above the lake. The north shore provides the most accessible flat ground for stopping. Upper Red Pine Lake (a smaller, shallower pool) sits about 0.5 miles further and 400 feet higher for those wanting to extend the day.
When to Visit
June: The trail typically opens in late May to early June as snow melts from the approach. Snow often persists in the upper cirque through June, sometimes covering the trail near the lake. An ice axe may be useful for early June visits. Wildflowers begin in the lower sections.
July: Peak season. The trail is fully snow-free, wildflowers are at maximum bloom in the upper basin, and the lake is cold but clear. July brings the heaviest use; arrive early to beat crowds and afternoon thunderstorms.
August: Similar to July but with thunderstorms arriving earlier in the afternoon, sometimes by noon. The Wasatch gets reliable afternoon convective storms in August. Start early, plan to reach the lake by 11 AM, and descend before the clouds build. Wildflowers begin to fade in the second half of August.
September and October: The best time for solitude. Crowds thin dramatically after Labor Day. The aspens lower in the canyon turn gold in early October. Temperatures at the lake can drop into the 30s overnight, but day hikes remain comfortable through most of October. The first significant snow typically arrives in October.
Practical Details
Parking: White Pine Trailhead on UT-210, approximately 5 miles up Little Cottonwood Canyon from Sandy. Paved parking lot with vault toilets. No fee and no Little Cottonwood Canyon day use fee (unlike some Front Range trailheads). The lot fills on summer weekends, often by 8 AM. Overflow parking extends along the road shoulder, but space is limited.
Permits: None required for day use.
Dogs: Allowed on leash. The rocky upper terrain is manageable for fit dogs, but the cirque can have snow through late June. Bring water for your dog; the creek provides access in the lower sections but not reliably above 9,500 feet.
Water: Courthouse Creek and side streams provide water in the lower sections. Filter before drinking. The lake itself is a source but filter all backcountry water.
Altitude: The trailhead sits at approximately 7,700 feet, the lake at 10,000 feet. Visitors from low elevations should expect to feel the altitude. Take it slow, drink water, and don't push pace.
Facilities: Vault toilets at the trailhead. No facilities on the trail.
Getting There
From Salt Lake City (approximately 30 miles, 45 minutes): Take I-15 south to 9000 South (Exit 295), then head east on 9000 South through Sandy toward the mountains. At the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon, turn left onto UT-210 and follow it 5 miles up the canyon. The White Pine Trailhead is on the right side of the road, well-signed.
From Snowbird and Alta ski areas: The trailhead is about 2 miles below Snowbird's main entrance on UT-210.
Note: Little Cottonwood Canyon is a two-lane road with no passing lanes. On busy summer weekends, traffic can back up from the trailhead to the canyon mouth. UDOT occasionally implements timed entry or traffic controls in the canyon during peak periods. Check conditions before you go.
The Bottom Line
Red Pine Lake delivers the full Wasatch alpine experience: a genuine 2,100-foot climb, a granite cirque, a cold mountain lake, and Pfeifferhorn looming above it all. It's harder than Cecret Lake, less crowded than Lake Blanche, and about as rewarding a half-day above Salt Lake City as you can find. The effort is honest and the destination earns it. For hikers building a multi-day Wasatch itinerary, Bells Canyon in Sandy and Donut Falls in Big Cottonwood Canyon cover two very different styles of front-country terrain at lower commitment levels. The Leave No Trace principles apply with particular force in Little Cottonwood Canyon's watershed since any contamination affects drinking water for much of Salt Lake County.