Conditions Right Now
Use sunset as your turnaround alarm.
Why Hike This
Three lakes stacked up one drainage means you can turn around whenever the group runs out of steam and still feel like you got something. The trail starts behind the lodges at Brighton and follows a stream the whole way to Lake Mary, about 720 feet up, then continues past Martha to Catherine and on toward Catherine's Pass and Albion Basin. Moose live in this basin and the Forest Service calls them wild and unpredictable, so give them a wide berth. No dogs, no swimming, no picking the flowers.
The Trail
Three lakes, one trail, moose sightings common.
Pack Loadout (Moderate)
2 liters water, trail shoes, sun layer, snacks, small first-aid kit.
Getting There
Make it a weekend: Redman Campground (Camping, 1 mi) · Albion Basin Campground (Camping, 2 mi) · Spruces Campground (Camping, 4 mi) · Tanners Flat Campground (Camping, 6 mi)
More hikes nearby: Silver Lake Boardwalk (Hike, 0 mi) · Cecret Lake (Hike, 2 mi) · Donut Falls (Hike, 4 mi) · Lake Blanche (Hike, 8 mi)
Quick Answers
- How long is the Lake Mary, Martha & Catherine hike?
- 4.5 miles round trip with 1266 feet of elevation gain.
- How hard is Lake Mary, Martha & Catherine?
- Moderate. Kid rating: 3 out of 5.
- When should I hike Lake Mary, Martha & Catherine?
- Best season: July-Oct.
- Why hike Lake Mary, Martha & Catherine?
- Few Wasatch hikes give you three separate turnaround points. Lake Mary comes first and is enough for most families, Martha adds a short push, and Catherine sits highest with the pass just above it. Moose are common through here, which is a feature until you round a corner too fast.