White Pine Trailhead — Attraction in Cottonwood Heights

The views from the White Pine Trailhead are absolutely stunning and one of the highlights of hiking in Little Cottonwood Canyon. From the very beginning, you’re treated to breathtaking panoramic scenes of the surrounding mountains, the rugged terrain, and the alpine forests. As I made my way up the trail, the scenery just kept getting better, with every turn revealing something new and awe-inspiring.

The White Pine Lake at the end of the trail is the crowning jewel of the hike. The lake is surrounded by towering peaks that are reflected in its calm waters, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere. The hike itself takes you through a glacial valley, offering views of sharp ridges and sweeping alpine meadows, which makes the entire journey feel like you’re walking through a natural masterpiece.

The surrounding peaks, including the Pfeifferhorn and Red Pine Ridge, provide dramatic backdrops to the trail, especially as the sun hits them in the early morning or late afternoon. The alpine scenery along the way is diverse, with dense forests that open up into more exposed areas, providing panoramic views of the valley and the canyon below.

What I also loved about the views on the White Pine Trail is how they change as you gain elevation. The higher you go, the more sweeping and expansive the vistas become, with the valley below feeling ever more distant. Even if you don’t make it all the way to White Pine Lake, the views on the way up are worth the hike alone.

Overall, the views from the White Pine Trailhead are some of the most beautiful I’ve ever experienced. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just looking for a great day trip, this trail offers incredible scenery that’ll leave you in awe of the Wasatch Mountains. Highly recommended for anyone who loves mountain vistas and...

We pulled into the parking lot at 8am on a Monday (today) and there were no spots. There were already 4-5 cars parked on the shoulder of the main road. I would recommend starting this hike as early as you can, because there is no shade once you hit about noon. Our return hike was almost all in the sun.

This trail was 10.63 miles and took us about 6 hours to complete. There's no need to bring spikes; there's only a small section you cross with snow (as of 30 June) and hiking shoes will work just fine.

The lake looks great right now, and there are plenty of spots around the lake for different groups to sit and enjoy the view. There are still lots of flowers along the trail, too. The views as you walk on this trail are great. This is a longer trail but it's a gradual incline and I would classify this as an easier "moderate" hike. The trail is pretty wide the whole time; wide enough for a jeep to drive the whole way.

There are two vault toilets at the trailhead. They are gross and there is no toilet paper. Come prepared to squat and use your own TP.

This hike is not dog-friendly. (No dogs allowed.) Bring sunscreen, a hat, lots of water,...

Just hiked the White Pine Trail to Pfeifferhorn and it's an incredible spot for accessing some truly beautiful trails in the Wasatch! The trailhead is super easy to find and well-signed, which is always a plus.

Heads up on parking: It fills up really fast, especially on peak days. We arrived around 7:00 AM on a Sunday and the main lot was already completely full, so we ended up parking roadside. If you do park along the road, just make sure your vehicle is fully to the right of the white line to avoid any issues.

You'll find two pit toilets conveniently located at the bottom near the parking area, which is great to have. It's a good idea to bring your own toilet paper, as they can run out.

Since this area is part of a protected watershed, there are a few important things to keep in mind to help preserve it for everyone: It's a non-motorized trail, so you'll be enjoying the peace and quiet on foot. No dogs or any other pets are allowed on the trails here. Unfortunately, swimming or wading in any of the lakes or streams is...