Little Cottonwood Canyon is on the east side of the Salt Lake City Valley. Get there by following I-215 to the east, taking exit 6 off the interstate and heading east toward the mountains.

Follow 6200 South which becomes Wasatch Blvd for 1.8 miles to the stop light and signs for Big Cottonwood Canyon. Continue south (straight) through the light an additional 2.3 miles to a junction and light. Stay left here, reaching the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon in an additional 1.6 miles.

From the mouth of Little Cottonwood, travel up the canyon 11.2 miles to the signed Secret Lake Trailhead parking, just before the Albion Basin Campground.

From the Catherine Pass Trailhead, cross the Albion Basin Road and start up the trail as it passes near the ski lifts. The trail, and old route used by miners, is easy to follow. It climbs with views of Devils Castle and Sugarloaf Mountain dominating to the south. At a junction, stay left (right goes down to the Albion Basin Campground).

The trial climbs a bit more and enters a stunning meadow. The meadow, at the base of Mt Tuscarora, if often a carpet of wildflowers in mid-to-late summer. The trail continues, climbing steeply and making switchbacks up to the pass.

From the pass, Lake Catherine is directly below on the Big Cottonwood side, with Sunset Peak east along the ridge (see the Sunset Peak - Big Cottonwood Canyon hike for more details). Either are good side trips! Or, take in the views and simply return the same way.