Lake Blanche is one of Utah's best-kept secrets. Nestled in the
mountains above Big Cottonwood Canyon beneath snow-capped mountaintops and the
towering Sundial Peak lay this emerald beauty. Its beauty is staggering, and
you will be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to visit.
Things to
Know Before You Go
This is a moderate to strenuous hike that gains approximately
2,680 ft. and is about 6 miles round trip. The majority of the trail is well
maintained, but parts are rocky and slightly more difficult to maneuver.
Expect for the entire trip to take approximately five hours.
It is important to note that during the summertime this trail can
be very hot. Most of the trail is shaded, but the thick forest growth limits
the breeze and can make the trail feel muggy. As such, it is best to start the
trail in the morning to avoid the afternoon heat.
I recommend bringing lots of water, bug spray, a lunch, and lots
of snacks to eat along the way.
How to
Get There
The Lake Blanche trailhead is located about 4.5 miles up Big
Cottonwood Canyon near the prominent S-curve in the road. Park your car on the
side of the road and follow signs for the Mill B South Fork Trail. This is an
easy, paved trail that runs along Big Cottonwood Creek for about .7 of a mile
before it connects to the turnoff for the Lake Blanche Trail.
The Trail
As soon as you turn off of the paved trail things start to get
steep! This is by no means an easy hike as you gain more than 2,500 ft. in
elevation in less than 3 miles! Have no fear though, as the trail is very
doable for people in moderate to good shape.
Take time as you ascend to admire the gorgeous view around you. The
ascent offers magnificent views of the Salt Lake Valley below, and the Wasatch
Range above. Scenery on the trail changes depending on the season, but it is
always breath taking. In the Summer time you may get the chance to see some
gorgeous wildflowers on your way to the top, and during early autumn you will
be greeted by bright fall foliage.
As you get closer to the lake the trail opens up and you get a
great view of Sundial Peak, and the Wasatch Mountain Range. The trail is rocky
for the last .7 of a mile or so, and is quite steep at times, so remember to
stay hydrated and take breaks!
At the
Lake
After about 2.5 miles you will arrive at your destination! There
are plenty of places to sit around the lake that are perfect for eating your
lunch and having a little picnic. Take time to enjoy the lake; sunbathe, take a
swim (if you’re brave enough), and look for moose along the water’s edge.
There are also small side trails that go around the lake to view
two smaller lakes named Lake Florence and Lake Lillian. I highly recommend
hiking to these other two lakes if you have the energy. They are both
beautiful, and are only about a quarter mile from Lake Blanche.
When you are finished at the lake just head back down the same way
you came up!
The Lake Blanche trail is one of my absolute favorite hiking
trails in all of Utah because of its quiet, serene beauty. I hope that you will
enjoy it as much as I do!
