Dog Lake | Big Cottonwood Canyon

Hiking Dog Lake - Big Cottonwood Canyon Hiking Dog Lake

Big Cottonwood Canyon

Overview | Getting There | Route | Photos | Maps | Comments

Overview

RATING: Moderate Hike
MAPS: Mount Aire, UT;

Sun

A slight chance of snow between 8am and 11am, then rain and snow likely. Mostly cloudy. High near 42, with temperatures falling to around 35 in the afternoon. Southwest wind around 2 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

42 | 26

Mon

Rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. Southwest wind around 2 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

37 | 30

Tue

A chance of snow after 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 42. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

42 | 23

Wed

Snow likely before 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 31. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

31 | 25

Thu

Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

34 | 17

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SEASON: Spring, Summer, Fall
GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear
WATER: Intermittent stream until Dog Lake

Sun

A slight chance of snow between 8am and 11am, then rain and snow likely. Mostly cloudy. High near 42, with temperatures falling to around 35 in the afternoon. Southwest wind around 2 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

42 | 26

Mon

Rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. Southwest wind around 2 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

37 | 30

Tue

A chance of snow after 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 42. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

42 | 23

Wed

Snow likely before 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 31. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

31 | 25

Thu

Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

34 | 17

View Full Weather Details
Views from the Dog Lake Trail in Big Cottonwood Canyon

Views from the Dog Lake Trail in Big Cottonwood Canyon

Dog Lake on a cloudy morning.

Dog Lake on a cloudy morning.

Dog Lake is one of my favorites, and was one of my regular evening fast hikes/runs when I was trail running regularly. The hike, like most in the Wasatch, is fairly steep, but offers rewarding views and a nice mountain lake as a reward. Though named Dog Lake, dogs are NOT allowed on the Big Cottonwood Canyon trail to the lake. They ARE allowed on the Mill Creek Canyon trail that leads to the same lake, and you are very likely to see quite a pack of dogs enjoying the cool waters on a summer weekend afternoon. It is a popular destination for dogs and their humans alike.

There are many options for this hike. It adds 0.5 miles and 500+ feet of gain, but I think it is almost criminal to not visit Reynolds Peak while visiting Dog Lake. Highly recommended, it offers excellent views and rounds out the day. Also highly recommended is to return down Butler Fork, making this a loop hike. If returning down Butler Fork, you will need two cars, the charisma and charm needed to hitchhike, or be willing to walk about a mile along the road. I chose the later option, and it adds about 15-20 minutes to the hike.

Working up the ridge to Reynolds Peak

Working up the ridge to Reynolds Peak

Heading down Butler Fork.

Heading down Butler Fork.

Getting There

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

Follow 6200 South which becomes Wasatch Blvd for 1.8 miles to the stop light and signs for Big Cottonwood Canyon.

Turn left at the light and reset your odometer.

Drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon. At 8.2 miles is the Butler Fork trailhead. If you are doing the loop hike and have 2 cars, leave one here.

Continue on to 8.9 miles, where there is a large parking area on each side of the road.

Route

To Dog Lake (2.6 miles)
From the trailhead, follow the trail north. It ascends east, then more steeply north up through aspen trees before reaching the Desolation Lake trail at about 2 miles. Go left here, as the trail steepens in the final 0.5 miles to the lake.

To Reynolds Peak (0.7 miles round trip)
If visiting Reynolds Peak, follow the trail on the SOUTH side of the lake as it meanders around. Just before the main junction with the Desolation Trail, a side trail goes off on the left (south). It is well travelled, and easy to find. It works through a bit of brush before reaching the more easily climbed ridge to the summit and amazing views to the mountains of the south.

Making A Loop Down Butler Fork (2.5 miles)
To make a loop down Butler Fork, go west on the Desolation trail. Shortly (0.3 miles / 5 minutes) is the junction with Butler Fork. Go left (south) as the trail begins descending Butler Fork. The descent down Butler Fork is stunning, with big views and a stream that the trail soon joins. Near the highway, the junction with Mill A Basin is reached. Go left, with the highway 10 minutes or so down canyon.


Maps

Loop including Reynolds / 5.95 miles / Elevation Range 7,120 - 9,405 ft.
Out and Back / 4.76 miles / Elevation Range 7,292 - 8,733 ft.
Printable Maps:

Trailhead

12T 445198mE 4500054mN

N40° 38' 58" W111° 38' 53"
Desolation Junction

12T 446749mE 4501458mN

N40° 39' 44" W111° 37' 48"
Dog Lake

12T 446011mE 4501971mN

N40° 40' 01" W111° 38' 19"
Reynold Junction

12T 445783mE 4502017mN

N40° 40' 02" W111° 38' 29"
Reynolds

12T 445413mE 4501448mN

N40° 39' 44" W111° 38' 45"
Butler Junction

12T 445343mE 4502031mN

N40° 40' 02" W111° 38' 48"
Mill Junction

12T 443788mE 4500741mN

N40° 39' 20" W111° 39' 54"
Trailhead

12T 444065mE 4500044mN

N40° 38' 58" W111° 39' 42"

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