Lake Catherine

The Wasatch National Forest is a scenic and historically significant forest in northern Utah and southwestern Wyoming, known for its rugged mountains, alpine lakes, and easy access to outdoor recreation—especially for people in the Salt Lake City area.  Originally established in 1906 as part of the U.S. Forest Service’s early conservation efforts, it is managed today as part of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, which spans over 2 million acres across Utah and a small portion of Wyoming.  The Wasatch section stretches along the Wasatch Range, a dramatic mountain front that rises sharply from the Salt Lake Valley.

Lake Mary, Lake Katherine, and the Albion Basin are located in the Wasatch Range a short distance from Brighton Ski Resort about 45 minutes from Salt Lake City, and the chain of lakes also includes Dog Lake which sits about 500 feet off the Lake Mary Trail. This group of backcountry lakes are sometimes referred to as the “Brighton Lakes”, and the trails to these high alpine waters start their 1100′ ascent at the base of the mountain near the ski lodge.  After a gradual climb under the chairlifts and across the ski slopes, a spur trail to Dog Lake appears at the 0.5 mile mark. Moose are known to frequent this lake, but were spotted on our trip around Lake Katherine which is another mile up the trail. Beyond Dog Lake, the damn supporting Lake Mary comes in to view and it is the largest – and arguably the most scenic – of the four lakes. The hike then continues with a gradual climb up and along Lake Katherine to a bowl-shaped lake in the Albion Basin. This route can be done as either a day or overnight trip although backcountry sites are limited in this area.