A Moderate Hike near Brighton With Possibilities for Extending the Hike
- Length: 2.5 miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 720 ft
- Highest Elevation: 9,480 ft
- Trailhead: Almost the end of the Big Cottonwood Road, at the building
that is the Solitude Nordic Center in the winter and a forest service information center in the summer. The
trail starts on the boardwalked area around Silver Lake.
There are (at least) two ways to get to Twin Lakes: from the Brighton parking lot, or from the
boardwalked trail at Solitude Nordic Center (Silver Lake).
I usually end up doing a loop when I hike here, going up to the pass and back down the other way.
 Start out on the boardwalk, and head to the right (going counter-clockwise). The first bit of the boardwalk
is over marshy areas (unless the lake level is really high, which it hasn't been in a long time). You'll cross a
small bridge that goes over a stream. You will probably see people fishing here, or at least see some medium
sized trout in the stream.
After a little way, there is a fork in the trail; where the boardwalk continues around the lake, and a dirt
path heads away from the lake. Take the dirt path. The sign says Lake Solitude and Twin Lakes . Take the left
fork to Twin Lakes , and walk around Silver Lake and climb above it, continuing on up the mountain.
As you start to climb above Silver Lake, you will get a great view of it from above. The trail is a little
rocky and scree-covered in places, so watch your step. You will wind your way up and onto a few of the
Brighton ski runs before coming to the dam after about 1 ¼ miles.
Before the dam was built, the
lakes were clearly 2 lakes, but now with the dam holding the water back, it is really just one big lake (unless water levels are low).
You can turn around here and head back, or stretch the hike a little more by heading up to the pass and
down to Lake Solitude and then back to
Silver Lake and your car.
For more pictures from this hike, check out the
Hike Photo Gallery. |
