Sugerloaf and Mount Baldy - Little Cottonwood Canyon Hiking

Devils Castle from Albion Basin

Mt. Wolverine and Albion Basin

American Fork Twin Peaks from Germania Pass

Mount Baldy from Sugarloaf

Sugarloaf Mountain from Mount Baldy

Devils Castle from Sugarloaf Mountain

Little Cottonwood Canyon

Distance: 3 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,200 feet
Summit Elevation: 11,051 & 11,068 feet
Access: Paved

Utah Hiking & Climbing

Sugarloaf and Baldy are two high peaks in Little Cottonwood Canyon that make for a very rewarding day. Both Sugarloaf and Mount Baldy are just over 11,000 feet! They are extremely popular since they are inside the ski areas and have trails to the tops. Mt. Baldy can even be accessed by the Peruvian Lift making it all too accessible if you want. Hiking up from Albion Basin is not too difficult so save your money for the Trams to do American Fork Twin Peaks or Miller Hill.

During a weekend, get to Albion Basin early, the place is a madhouse. Take the Secret Lake Trail to the lake. From the lake, a climbers trail works its way up to the saddle between Sugarloaf and Devils Castle. I was carrying my 2 year old so I took the easy way. From the lake, follow a trail around the north side then dropping a bit to find a road to the NW of the lake. This road works around a small ridge and up a small draw to the west of Secret Lake. The road eventually will lead all the way to Germania Pass between the two peaks. Sugarloaf Mountain is easier; a climbers trail works up the NW ridgeline. For Mount Baldy, the trail at first is a bit steep and loose. No exposure, just messy rock gullies to access the easier slopes higher on the ridge. Several different routes look present out of the pass area. Once you are 100 feet above the pass, the trail is nice to the summit.

Drive to the end of Little Cottonwood Canyon, pass the entrance station to Albion Basin, follow nice gravel road to end at the campground and trailhead.

Hiking up the road with Sugarloaf Mountain above

Mount Timpanogos from Germania Pass

View from Mount Baldy to the west

Little Cottonwood Canyon with Broads Fork Twin Peaks on right

Superior to Twin Peaks

Sugarloaf and Baldy from Honeycomb Cliffs

Taking the Peruvian Lift and the 600 foot snowbird tunnel is a fun way to access the sw ridge of Mount Baldy