The view was, quite literally, mesmerizing. A raft of ducks moved quietly across Willow Lake. The golden leaves of aspens reflected off the still water. In the distance, autumn burst across the rocky face of Mount Millicent and along the flanks of Reed and Benson Ridge, framing the upper boundary of Big Cottonwood Canyon.

I’ll admit, this wasn’t my plan for the day. But sensing the improbability of finding parking at trailheads in American Fork Canyon on a busy fall foliage weekend, I decided to try my luck in Big Cottonwood instead.

The Willow Lake hike is a lesser-known autumn adventure. At under two miles round trip with only moderate elevation gain, it’s ideal for families and anyone looking for a quick escape into the mountains.

Only a few steps into the hike, I came upon a stand of towering 60-foot subalpine fir trees. Oh, the history their bark and branches must have seen. A small wooden bridge crossed Willow Creek, its namesake willows framing the now-dry waterway.

On a colorful fall weekend, the trail was packed with happy families. A 4 year old proudly stopped to show me his scuffed elbow from a tumble, then flashed a wide smile. Parents carried infants tucked snugly in hiking packs, and couples paused to snap photos under glowing canopies of gold.

The Willow Fork drainage lies about a mile up the canyon from Silver Fork Lodge, across from Solitude Mountain Resort. Its gently sloping forested flanks are popular with backcountry skiers in winter for their low-angle terrain, and in autumn the trails weave through a stunning mosaic of aspens and evergreens.

These forests once played a crucial role in Utah’s development. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Big Cottonwood was a major source of timber for the growing Salt Lake Valley. Today, watershed protection is the priority, and in 2001, the Willow Heights Conservation Area was permanently protected by Utah Open Lands.

I wandered along as the trail zig-zagged up the mountain. Around every corner was yet another perspective of autumn sunlight glowing through the yellow aspen leaves as couples posed for selfies.

The trail climbed steadily through the forest, each turn revealing new angles of autumn sunlight glowing through yellow aspen leaves. When the trees opened up, I found myself in the broad meadow of Willow Heights, greeted by a spectacular view of Solitude rising across the canyon.

Three young boys with spinning rods were heading downhill from the lake.

“Are there any fish up there?” I asked.

Laughing, they replied, “Well, supposedly — but all we caught were weeds!”

Before reaching the shoreline, one final obstacle awaited: a 12-foot crossing of slick logs. I carefully planted my hiking poles, tiptoed across, and scrambled up a small berm. And then, there it was — Willow Lake.

On the eastern shore, aspens still decked in green formed a perfect line, their leaves just beginning to turn. To the south, the willows and aspens glowed brilliant yellow. Along the meadow on the north shore, families lined up for the quintessential fall photo, eager to capture the glowing brilliance of a Big Cottonwood autumn day.

As I lingered by the water’s edge, the ducks paddled on, the breeze lifted golden leaves from their branches, and the light deepened across the canyon. For a moment, everything felt timeless — just mountains, trees, and a quiet mountain lake reflecting the season’s fleeting magic.

DETAILS

Getting There: From downtown Park City, head up S.R. 224 to Empire Pass, then over Guardsman Pass to Big Cottonwood Canyon. Navigate to Willow Heights in Google Maps. It’s about a 35-minute drive through spectacular fall foliage in Bonanza Flats. Coming home, think about heading down Big Cottonwood to Salt Lake City for more scenery, and to avoid the afternoon traffic heading up Big Cottonwood to Guardsman Pass.

Dining: This is a good reason to visit the Silver Fork Lodge, just a mile away. Or pop into the Brighton Store.

The Hike: It’s just three-fourths of a mile each way. While there is some elevation gain, it’s not notable. There were plenty of 3-year-old hikers on the trail having fun. There are multiple routes to the lake. I opted for the left fork (west side).