Conditions Right Now
Use sunset as your turnaround alarm.
Why Hike This
Not many trails put you at a real alpine lake above 9,500 feet in under a mile of walking. The wildflowers are the reason people come, with more than 120 species catalogued in Albion Basin and the peak usually landing in late July and early August. The last stretch of road up to the trailhead is unpaved but well maintained, and a normal passenger car handles it. Interpretive signs along the trail give kids something to do, and dogs are not allowed anywhere in this canyon.
The Trail
July wildflower explosion around a family-friendly alpine lake.
Pack Loadout (Easy)
Water bottle, sunscreen, hat, snacks, comfortable shoes.
Getting There
Make it a weekend: Albion Basin Campground (Camping, 0 mi) · Redman Campground (Camping, 3 mi) · Tanners Flat Campground (Camping, 5 mi) · Spruces Campground (Camping, 5 mi)
More hikes nearby: Lake Mary, Martha & Catherine (Hike, 2 mi) · Silver Lake Boardwalk (Hike, 2 mi) · Donut Falls (Hike, 4 mi) · Lake Blanche (Hike, 6 mi)
Quick Answers
- How long is the Cecret Lake hike?
- 1.7 miles round trip with 459 feet of elevation gain.
- How hard is Cecret Lake?
- Easy. Kid rating: 5 out of 5.
- When should I hike Cecret Lake?
- Best season: July-Sept.
- Why hike Cecret Lake?
- For flowers without the climb. Less than a mile of trail from the Albion Basin campground gets a five-year-old to an alpine lake ringed with paintbrush, lupine and columbine. Aim for late July or early August when the basin peaks, and go midweek if you can.