Sunset Peak

If you would like to climb a mountain peak that gives you a lot of Bang for the Buck or a Terrific Trek for your Time, I would suggest trying Sunset Peak at elevation 10,648.  The views are spectacular!  The distance is very doable.  The sense of accomplishment - GREAT! The shortest route to Sunset Peak is from Albion Basin via Catherine Pass in Little Cottonwood Canyon.  The total hike is 4.2 miles round trip and elevation gained is 1248 feet.

Begin hiking at the Catherine Pass trailhead where you will find a good sized parking area with restrooms.  During summer months on weekends the city of Alta provide shuttle buses to drop hikers at the trailhead.  This is a very popular hike.

After about 1 mile into the hike you will come to a lovely meadow, one of my very favorite spots.  It is beautiful year round.  Another half mile and you reach Catherine Pass and to the right is Sunset Peak.  Take the time to enjoy the view of Lake Catherine before moving on.

Lake Catherine with Pioneer Peak in background.

Next you will arrive at Sunset Pass.  The trail becomes extremely sandy.  It felt like walking through beach sand, but where is the ocean??  From Sunset Pass it is just another quarter of a mile to the top.

At Sunset Pass

On to the Peak!

You can see hikers at the tippy top.



Martha climbing up along cliff face.

Limber pine growing right out of the cliff.

Just a couple of crazy hiker chicks.

Climbing back down. 

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 Wildflower of the Week 

  

We saw one lingering Hummingbird Flower or Zauschneria on the trail to Catherine Pass this week growing out of a small crack in the rock.  The red flowers look a lot like chili peppers.  I was surprised to see it this late in the year. 

 For myself I hold no preferences among flowers

so long as they are wild, free, spontaneous!"

Ed Abbey

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******Miles hiked tally

beginning March 22, 2013
Beginning of this Blog
368