Little Cottonwood Canyon at sunset
Little Cottonwood Canyon is a spectacular canyon located in the Wasatch Range of the Rocky Mountains, about 25 miles southeast of Salt Lake City, Utah. It is one of Utah’s premier outdoor destinations, known for its stunning granite cliffs, world-class skiing, hiking, rock climbing, and mountain scenery. The canyon is also home to the famous ski resorts of Snowbird and Alta, making it a year-round hub for outdoor enthusiasts. Little Cottonwood Canyon is internationally famous for its deep, light, and dry powder snow, which is often referred to as “The Greatest Snow on Earth.” Little Cottonwood Canyon has a rich history, particularly during Utah’s mining era in the 19th century. In the 1860s, the area was a hub for silver mining, and remnants of old mines and structures can still be found throughout the canyon. The Temple Quarry Trail is an easy trail that explores the site where granite was quarried for the construction of the Salt Lake Temple in the 1800s.
Region: Utah
City: Sandy
Distance: 13.71 km
Elevation Gain: 1019 m
Elevation Loss: 0 m
Difficulty: 848 (Hard)
FIETS Index: 7.57 FIETS
Avg Grade: 7.43 %
Max cat climb: HC
Min elevation: 1648 m
Max elevation: 2667 m
Ride Category: Epic Climb