"Little Matterhorn" is a challenging scramble to one of Utah's best peaks.
A few weeks after hiking to Red Pine Lake, we decided to try the trail once more. This round, we would go beyond the initial lake to the upper lakes and onto the Pfeifferhorn.
The Pfeifferhorn stands at 11,331 feet and is the fifth tallest peak in the Wasatch Range. This mountain is also referred to as "Little Matterhorn," but was named after skier Charles "Chick" Pfeiffer in the 1930s.
The trail begins at the White Pine Trailhead (named for another lake nearby), which is a popular trail in Little Cottonwood Canyon. The parking lot often fills up by 7 AM, so you may have to find a spot along the road.
At the start, you're likely to be amongst several other hikers as the trail also leads to White Pine Lake and Gloria Falls. Eventually, you'll come to a junction that breaks off toward Red Pine Lake. The hike will be a gradual incline over some rocky terrain on the way to the lake.
Once you get to the lake, you'll be enamored with the beauty of it. Early in the morning, the water is flat and you're likely to see the reflections of the surrounding mountains. Later in the day, with help from the sun, the lake has a gorgeous green tint.
While the lake is tough to leave behind, the Pfeifferhorn awaits. You'll hike to your left and eventually cross the water that feeds Red Pine Lake. From here, you'll begin the ascent to the Upper Red Pine Lakes. The trail becomes much more technical here and is a bit tougher to find. When you arrive at the elevation of the upper lakes, you can either veer to the left to explore the smaller lakes or continue to the right for the Pfeifferhorn.
Here is where the trail really becomes a bit more challenging. The terrain is extremely rocky and the incline becomes much more steep. While on a map, it appears you only have a short distance to go, you're going at a substantially slower pace. At the same time, you have to be aware of hikers above you as rocks are breaking loose and falling down the trail.
As you get to the top of the ridge, you may think you're nearing the end, but the hike still has some challenges to it. After a half mile of tolerable trail with views of Utah Lake to the south, you'll reach a portion of the trail covered by boulders. Here, you'll climb, duck, and contour your body in a variety of directions. There doesn't appear to be a defined route across the boulders, so your goal is just to get from one side to the other.
After the boulder field, you'll be standing a the base of the final ascent. It looks rather intimidating and several hikers were commenting "it's not as bad as it looks." You'll begin the climb and quickly realize that you're in for a lot of scrambling. There is loads of loose dirt and scree along the way, so do your best to find hand and foot holds wherever you can.
As you ascend to the top, you can turn and see incredible views of the Ridgeline below and the surrounding range. After what felt like 30 minutes of scrambling, we finally reached the top of the peak. The area at the top is triangular and relatively limited in space.
Once you're at the top, you'll see the sharp drops off of the side of the mountain. The massive drops on the opposite side of the mountain will make your route feel like a cakewalk. There is limited seating at the top, so grab a seat if you spot one and enjoy the views all around you. You're more than likely to see a chipmunk bound about, hoping for a dropped treat from one of the hikers.
Once you've caught your breath, you'll head back down the mountain, which may just be more challenging than the way up. Just take your time and strategically spot your route before proceeding.
This hike was certainly far more difficult that I gave it credit for when embarking upon it. This is one you want to be sure you prepare for, but if you make it to the end, you'll feel a great sense of accomplishment.
Know Before You Go
The back half of the trail has very limited shade, so be sure to conserve your water and be sure to wear a hat and sunblock.
I wore running shoes on this hike and they got pretty torn up by the rocky terrain. I'd highly recommend full-on hiking shoes for this hike.
Keep aware of your surroundings, there are often falling rocks on this trail.
There are two sectionals of the trail that are highly technical with lots of scrambling.
Once you reach the lake area, bugs are everywhere. Be sure to pack bug spray and clothing that can protect you from the bugs.
Swimming is not allowed in Red Pine Lakes.
Resources
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Location
Found in Little Cottonwood Canyon along Route 210, you'll park at the same trailhead as you would for Red Pine Lakes. The parking lot often fills up by 7 AM, so you're likely to park along the road.