If you haven’t been up the Cottonwood Canyons yet this summer, then now is the time to go. The wild flowers are in full bloom, but they don’t stick around for long. The Wasatch Wildflower Festival is designed to get you up into the cool mountain air, and appreciate the myriad blooms that color the peaks and valleys in Utah’s high country. The 2014 event, which happened on July 25, 26 and 27, has tons of guided hikes and chairlift rides in both canyons that will suit any ability level.
![Wildflowers abound in Albion Basin during late summer. (Photo: Ryan Malavolta - UtahOutside.com)](http://www.utahoutside.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/DSC00536-640x480.jpg)
Below is the full schedule from the Cottonwood Canyons Foundation:
Friday, July 25th – Morning
Brighton
Meet at Brighton Parking Lot
Beginner Walks:
Silver Lake boardwalk or lower mountain walks.
On gentle terrain.
9:00 AM & 11:00 AM
Duration: 1 – 1 ½ hours
Intermediate Walks:
Beginning on lower mountain trails and winding up the ski hill trails or Lake Solitude Trail.
10:00 AM
Duration: 1 ½ to 2 hours
Advanced Walks:
pollinators
Walk will progress toward upper lakes (accessibility permitting).
9:30 AM
Duration 1 ½ to 2 hours
Kids Walks:
Especially designed with kids in mind and featuring fun wildflower activities along the route!
On gentle terrain.
10:00 AM and 11:00 AM
Duration: Less than 1 hour. Kids should be accompanied by an adult.
Friday, July 25th – Afternoon
Solitude
Meet at Solitude Village (entry 2)
Moderate Wildflower Walks with lift:
Ride up Sunrise lift with a hike to Lake Solitude, riding back down lift.
Depart between 3:00 – 4:00 PM
Duration 2 – 2 ½ hours
$5 lift ticket required. Solitude will donate this ½ price lift ticket cost to Cottonwood Canyons Foundation.
Trail to Lake Solitude is moderate, with one short, but steep, section near the lake.
wildflowerwalk
These walks begin with a ride up Sunrise Lift with a winding hike down the mountain
Depart between 3:00 – 5:00 PM.
Duration 2-3 ½ hours
$5 lift ticket required. Solitude will donate this ½ price lift ticket cost to Cottonwood Canyons Foundation.
*This hike is not strenuous, but it should be noted that the hike down is quite long in duration.
Beginner Walks: Lower Mountain Wildflower Walk on gentle terrain
Ongoing, between 3:00 – 6:00 PM
Duration: 1 hour
Kids Walks: Along Lower Mountain Route on gentle Terrain
3:30 and 4:30 PM
Duration: 45 minutes
*Walks depart as groups fill.
*Walks which involve the chairlift require a $3 lift charge.
*Walks which involve the chairlift also will not be offered after time listed, in order to accommodate lift operating hours.
Saturday, July 26th
Alta
Meet at Albion Day Lodge/Parking Lot, Albion Base, Alta Entry #2
orangepaintbrush copy
Beginner Walks:
Walk takes place along gentle terrain along base area, through willows, meadows and along streamside to allow for excellent variety of wetland wildflowers and other species. About 1 hour
9:00am, 10:00am, 11:00am, 12:00pm
Hikes depart as groups fill.
Beginner/Intermediate Wildflower Walks:
A walk up the Albion Meadows Trail at a gentle grade. This walk allows for wonderful variety of flowers blooming in habitats including meadows, shaded spruce-fir stands, nears streams, and sunny, rocky slopes. About 1 1⁄2 hours.
9:00am, 10:00am, 11:00am, 12:00pm
Hikes depart as groups fill.
Advanced Walk:
Walk takes place up the Twin Lakes Pass trail. Trail is very steep and rocky in sections.
North-facing slopes allow for wildflower viewing through a variety of habitats. About 1 ½ hours.
9:00am, 10:00am, 11:00am, 12:00pm
Hikes depart as groups fill.
Kids Wildflower Walks:
9:30am and 10:30am
Especially designed with kids in mind and with fun and interactive wildflower activities along the way!
A gentle walk route along the base area.
Discover what wildflowers need to grow! We’ll look for wildflowers and wildlife of Albion Basin. Less than an hour in duration.
9:30am and 10:30am
Kids walks depart as groups fill. Kids should be accompanied by an adult.
Live Music by Bobo of the Weekenders:
8:30am-12:30pm
Kids Art & Entertainment:
We will have ongoing art activities for kids of all ages.
9am-12pm
Sunday July 27th:
Snowbird
Meet at Plaza Deck, Snowbird Entry #2
monkshood
8:30 – 9:30AM: Sign up for Wildflower Walks
$5 donation to the Cottonwood Canyons Foundation for Tram hikes.
Walks along lower mountain trails and not riding the tram do not require early sign-up.
9:30AM: Tram departs for Wildflower Hikes, beginner and advanced
Advanced Hike: rides up tram with a hike down the mountain. Hike is all down hill, but several miles in length, with some steep sections and loose footing. 3-4 hours, 9:30, 10:00 start time.
Easy Walk: rides up tram with gentle walk at top of tram with ride back down. 1 ½ to 2 hours. 9:30 and 10:30 start time.
10:00 AM: Tram second departure for Wildflower Hikes, beginner and advanced
Advanced Hike: rides up tram with a hike down the mountain. Hike is all down hill, but several miles in length, with some steep sections and loose footing. 3-4 hours, 9:30, 10:00 start time.
Easy Walk: rides up tram with gentle walk at top of tram with ride back down. 1 ½ to 2 hours. 9:30 and 10:30 start time.
10:30: Final Departure for Easy Walk with Tram (ride up tram, explore top, ride back down). 1 ½ to 2 hours.
*Please note, hikes involving the Tram depart early and only at listed times, in order to accommodate the Tram and long duration of the hikes.
9:30 – 11:30: AM Lower Mountain Wildflower Walks
Along gentle terrain.
Hikes depart for lower mountain walk every 20 minutes as groups fill.
Duration: 1 hr to 1 ½ hours. Does not involve tram.
10:00 and 11:00 AM: Kids Walks
Especially designed with kids in mind and with fun wildflower activities along the way!
Gentle walk along lower mountain trail.
Less than an hour in duration. Does not involve tram. Kids should be accompanied by an adult.