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LITTLE COTTONWOOD CANYON — One of the most rewarding intermediate-level hikes in Little Cottonwood Canyon is the White Pine Trail.
This 9-mile roundtrip hike follows along an old jeep trail and takes hikers through a glacially-carved valley. Hikers can enjoy the fall colors and may also get to see some American Pika, a smaller relative to the rabbit.
The main trailhead starts at the parking lot for White Pine at about 7,700 feet in elevation. The trails located there include those for Red Pine and upper Red Pine Lakes, the Maybird Gulch Trail and the White Pine Lake Trail.
The elevation gain is slow, but considerable on the well-maintained White Pine Trail. The trail climbs about 2,600 feet in elevation over the course of the 4 1/2 mile trail. Within the first 5 minutes of hiking, you cross over Little Cottonwood Creek and ascend a wide dirt trail. In less than a mile, the trail splits off into two different directions and hikers should turn left to stay on the White Pine Trail.
There are three distinctive landscape features you encounter along the trail: a grassy meadow, massive moraine field and the lake. At about the 3 mile mark, you reach the large expansive meadow that sits around 9,200 feet elevation. This is also when the trail goes above the tree line.
The second, very prominent feature is an enormous moraine field at 9,800 feet. There are several small switchbacks to navigate through the massive collection of glacially-formed rock and debris. This is a great place to see the pika, which have a unique call. If you have your camera out and ready, that sound will also direct you to capture one of these mysterious little animals in action.
The third main feature on this trail is White Pine Lake. Before reaching the lake, hikers will continue up the gradual incline to the top of the ridgeline. This is the highest point on the trail at around 10,123 feet. This is the best place to get a great symmetrical photo of sky and lake.
Because it is a long hike, be sure to bring plenty of water and food.
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 9 miles roundtrip
