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Nature|Hiking

Where This Utah Trail Takes You Is Absolutely Stunning

The Brighton Lakes Trail in Utah offers a scenic 4.5-mile hike to four beautiful lakes, perfect for nature enthusiasts.

Published Jul 23, 2016

Written by 

Catherine Armstrong

On a steamy summer day in Utah, doesn’t a hike to a lake sound nice? How about a hike that takes you to FOUR lakes? Even better, right? The Brighton Lakes Trail does just that, and you’ll enjoy some gorgeous scenery along the way. The hike is a total of 4.5 miles roundtrip; the trailhead starts at the Brighton Resort Lodge at the base of the resort.

This might just be the most gorgeous place in Utah.

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TETON Sports/flickr

First, you'll hike right up the side of the ski run, underneath the ski lifts. Then the trail turns west and is much more shady. This trail will take you right through aspens and pines.

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The trailhead sits an at elevation of 8,760 feet. Make sure you bring plenty of water - you'll need to stay hydrated as you climb to an even higher elevation.

Dog Lake

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Andrey Zharkikh/flickr

About .7 miles from the trailhead, you see a fork in the trail. Dog Lake is a little side trip, and it's the smallest lake on the hike, but it's well worth it.

Moose are abundant in this canyon.

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Flickr/Brandon Rasmussen

Keep an eye out for moose along the entire trail. Dog Lake tends to be a particularly popular moose-sighting spot.

Lake Mary

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Andrey Zharkikh/flickr

As you approach Lake Mary, the trail gets a little steep, but hang in there...look how stunning this is! Lake Mary sits at an elevation of 9,500 feet.

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Lake Martha

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Andrey Zharkikh/flickr

Lake Martha is just a half mile farther up the trail from Lake Mary. It's just an elevation increase of 100 feet, but the path is pretty rocky, so navigate carefully. Take one of the little paths right down to the shores of this pretty little lake.

In several spots on the trail, you'll encounter grassy fields and wildflowers.

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Ken Lund/flickr

And the views are amazing, too!

Lake Catherine

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Andrey Zharkikh/flickr

It's another mile to Lake Catherine (elevation 9,960). Along the way, you'll glimpse views of all of the lakes you've already visited.

This is seriously one of the most beautiful places in the entire Beehive State. If you have small children, you might consider just hiking to Dog Lake and back. The trail is busy, especially on weekends. If you can break away on a weekday morning, you'll experience a lot more solitude. This is just one of Utah’s many amazing hiking trails. Check out these 10 Trails In Utah You Must Take If You Love The Outdoors.

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Nature|Hiking

Hike Snow Canyon State Park’s Scout Cave Trail in Utah for an Unforgettable Adventure

In my opinion, one of the best hikes in Utah is the Scout Cave Trail at Snow Canyon State Park. It's open all year, not super challenging, and showcases views that are almost too breathtaking to be real.

Published Nov 5, 2024

Written by 

Katie Lawrence

Utah is a nature lover's dream, and we're blessed with some of the best hiking trails in the country. It just doesn't get much better than our vast canyons and stunning rock formations. I could spend the rest of my life hiking in the Beehive State and still get excited about hitting the trail each day! In my opinion, one of the best hikes in Utah is the Scout Cave Trail at Snow Canyon State Park. It's open all year, not super challenging, and showcases views that are almost too breathtaking to be real. Plus, it's kid and pet-friendly!

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AllTrails Zach Schuster

Scout Cave Trail is a 3.4-mile out-and-back hike that passes over lava flow fields, Navajo Sandstone rocks, and stream beds. Although it's rated as intermediate on AllTrails, most hikers describe it as being easy, so you definitely don't need to be super skilled. The elevation gain is about 350 feet, and just a few moderate climbing sections make up the bulk of it. You're unlikely to get lost because the trail is very well-marked, and the variation in terrain makes for an interesting adventure from start to finish.

By far the coolest part of the trail (and the main reason anyone hikes it in the first place) is Scout Cave. It's located right before the turnaround point and showcases unbelievable panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and the city below. You can actually go inside the cave, which makes this trail a favorite among kiddos.

Shade is minimal, so if you're visiting in the summer, you'll definitely want to wear a hat and load up on sunscreen. Getting started early in the morning also helps with the temperature issue - although the views at sunset are equally as mesmerizing. You should also bring plenty of water and a snack or two, and make sure you have durable footwear for the rock scrambling sections of the trail (however brief they may be).

Visit AllTrails to learn more about the Scout Cave Trail, including the parking fee for Snow Canyon State Park. I also recommend signing up for AllTrails+ if you do a lot of hiking. The app offers exclusive perks like offline and 3D maps, ensuring you never miss a turn.

Have you ever hiked this trail? If so, do you think it's one of the best hikes in Utah? Tell us your thoughts in the comments! Check out our previous article for some of the best things to do in the nearby town of St. George. It's perfect for a family getaway!

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Nature|Hiking

The Iconic Trail in Utah Everyone Should Hike Once in Their Lifetime

One of Zion's most popular trails is the Scout Lookout via West Rim Trail, and for good reason. It's not easy by any stretch of the imagination, but it's one of those bucket list-worthy adventures everyone should experience at least once.

Published Oct 28, 2024

Written by 

Katie Lawrence

When it comes to iconic hikes in Utah, Zion National Park is the first place I think of (along with Arches and Bryce Canyon, of course). After all, it's home to some of the most stunning views our state has to offer, and millions of people travel from all over the world each year to revel in its magic. One of Zion's most popular trails is the Scout Lookout via West Rim Trail, and for good reason. It's not easy by any stretch of the imagination, but it's one of those bucket list-worthy adventures everyone should experience at least once.

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AllTrails Kristin Kozelsky

At 3.6 miles long, the Scout Lookout via West Rim Trail is by no means the longest hike in the park, but it is one of the most challenging. The out-and-back trail is rated as hard on AllTrails due to its steep ascent. You'll climb over 1,100 feet in a relatively short distance, navigating tight switchbacks before arriving at the final viewpoint known as Scout Lookout.

While the view at the top is definitely the pièce de résistance, you'll enjoy breathtaking scenery along the entire trail. At the beginning, the path crosses the Virgin River on a bridge before paralleling the river for a short time. From there, the ascent begins, and as the scene unfolds before your eyes, it only gets more picturesque with every step you take. With the ancient, majestic canyon walls rising up all around, you'll swear you're looking at a painting or a postcard. That's just part of living in Utah - what a blessing to call such a state home where the scenery is almost too beautiful to be real.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can continue past Scout Lookout to Angel's Landing, but only experienced hikers should attempt this. Additionally, the trail does not offer much shade, so consider starting either in the early morning or late afternoon to beat the heat if you're visiting in the warmer months.

Visit AllTrails for more information about the Scout Lookout via West Rim Trail. I also recommend signing up for AllTrails+ if you're an avid hiker. The app is an incredible resource with features like 3D flyovers, wrong-turn alerts, and offline map access. Your first week is free, so there's no risk involved in trying it out.

Have you ever embarked on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure? What are your favorite iconic hikes in Utah? Tell us in the comments!

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