Pets allowed
Allowed with Restrictions
Elevation Gain
1,427.00 ft (434.95 m)
Trail type
There-and-back
Distance
4.20 mi (6.76 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

There are several bodies of water called Silver Lake in the Wasatch Mountains thanks to the region's rich mining history. The version in American Fork Canyon requires a beautiful and fun hike to reach it, taking you up toward the peaks of the Pfeifferhorn and White Baldy. The trail begins at the far end of a reservoir named Silver Lake Flat, which is located up a 3-mile dirt road with some absolutely incredible views of Mount Timpanogos. The precarious drive up gives you a bit of separation from the crowds at Tibble Fork Reservoir below. The first half of the trail is shaded in summer by the thick aspen and pine trees growing overhead. Along the way are several small waterfalls and creek crossings with wildflowers lining the trail. The second half of the trail is exposed, but it allows you to see the stunning views to the south and the peaks to the north. You can see the cirques of Timpanogos behind Silver Lake Flat as you gain elevation, which is an awesome sight.

Once on top of the final plateau you'll reach the medium-sized alpine lake with a large waterfall running down from its rocky spillway. Several small waterfalls were cascading into Silver Lake from the last few patches of snow. Further up the mountain is Silver Glance Lake, sitting on a higher plateau to the north. This is a really stunning hike and well worth the drive and hike it takes to get up here. The iconic White Baldy sits to the north and the Pfeifferhorn sits to its west, so the setting is one of pure alpine splendor. This is one of the prettiest hikes in American Fork Canyon, and it has all the great aspects you'll want in a high altitude lake trail.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Fall
Summer

Congestion

Moderate

Parking Pass

General Day Use Fee

Open Year-round

No

Open from

March 15 to November 15

Pros

Shaded much of the way. Gorgeous beauty. Dogs allowed.

Cons

Buggy.

Trailhead Elevation

7,551.00 ft (2,301.54 m)

Highest point

8,978.00 ft (2,736.49 m)

Features

Flushing toilets
Near lake or river
Waterfalls
Wildlife
Fishing
Big vistas
Big Game Watching
Bird watching
Wildflowers

Typically multi-day

No

Permit required

No

Location

Nearby Adventures

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Comments

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