Mt. Wolverine - Sunset Peak

From the Catherine Pass Trailhead, cross the road and follow the trail as it climbs east then south along the lower slopes of Mt. Wolverine. Several old mines and mining roads intersect but the main trail is obvious. At 10,000 feet the trail hits a flat meadow before climbing another 200 feet to Catherine Pass. Once you hit the meadow, you can traverse up cross country to the saddle between Mt. Wolverine and Mt. Tuscarora. This is actually easier terrain than the scramblers trail from Catherine Pass. That trail climbs steep dirt from the pass up and over Mt. Tuscarora. Either way, both go quick and you'll be on top before you know it. Views are grand from the summit as Wolverine is higher than anything to the north. Take the scramblers trail over Tuscarora to get back to Catherine Pass if your goal is to climb Sunset Peak as well. From Catherine Pass, just follow the hikers trail to the summit. This is a nice trail that older kids could easily do as well. You are now also on a section of the Great Western Trail. From the summit, you are at the tri-canyon peak with views into Big, Little and American Fork Canyons. Ski area signs are all along the ridgeline so I would guess these peaks make great winter climbs as well.

Inside Alta Ski Area in Albion Basin is the high trailhead for two of the easiest high mountains in the Wasatch. With a hiking trail up Sunset Peak and a scramblers trail up Mt. Wolverine, both make for an easy ascent. I was even greeted by a moose at the trailhead! Technically, Sunrise Peak falls a bit short of the 300' prominence for mountain status but it is named and is sure as appealing as any other mountain.

Distance: 2 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,800 feet
Summit Elevation: 10,795 & 10,648 feet
Access: Paved

Drive up Little Cottonwood Canyon to the Alta Ski Area. Pass the information booth and drive up the nice dirt road into Albion Basin. Near the end is the signed Catherine Pass Trailhead on the right with a restroom facility.

Looking down at the trailhead just below

Devils Castle from the trail

In the meadows below Catherine Pass

Mt. Wolverine from the meadows with easy cross country travel from here

Mt. Wolverine from Mt. Tuscarora

Mt. Superior and Monte Cristo Peak

Mt. Baldy and American Fork Twin Peaks

Sunset Peak from Mt. Tuscarora

Lake Catherine, Lake Martha and Lake Mary from Sunset Peak

South to Mt. Timpanogos from Sunset Peak

Pioneer Peak below with Clayton Peak in distance

Looking southeast from Sunset Peak