Lake Blanche

One of my favorite hikes along the Wasatch Front is the hike to Lake Blanche.  This favoritism is shared by others as well as this hike is quite popular, particularly during the weekends.  Its pristine beauty with the imposing view of Sundial Peak as a backdrop makes this hike well worth the effort.  The local Wasatch Mountain Club actually uses the Sundial Peak backdrop as part of their emblem.  Lake Blanche is the largest of three lakes in the immediate area; the other two being Lake Florence and Lake Lillian.  As you climb near Lake Blanche, the evidence of the glaciers that formed this high mountain cirque becomes apparent as you notice the smooth grooves in the surrounding rock.  From left to right, the rugged summits of Monte Cristo, Sundial Peak, Dromedary Peak, and Sunrise Peak surround the three lakes.  To view all three lakes without much more increased effort, you can hike to the top of the knoll just northwest of Lake Blanche (marked as "8926" on the USGS 1:24,000 scale topographic map).

To reach the trailhead for Lake Blanche from the Salt Lake Valley, take the 6200 South exit (Exit 6) off of I-215 and turn right (at the light) onto Wasatch Boulevard (SR 190).  At Fort Union Boulevard (7200 South), turn left (east) to go up Big Cottonwood Canyon towards the Brighton and Solitude Ski Resorts.  At approximately 4.5 miles up the canyon, the "Mill B Trailhead" sign appears to your right (south) at the bottom of what's known as the S-Curve.  A parking lot is available to the right where the trail begins, or another parking lot is located in the upper bend of the S-Curve.  During busy times, it may be necessary to park along the highway.  At the east end of the lower parking lot, follow the paved foot path for about 0.2 mile to the Lake Blanche trailhead off to your right (south).  The trail climbs west of the stream and then crosses a bridge to the east side of the stream.  It then veers to the north for a bit and then switches south to enter into the Twin Peaks Wilderness Area.  About 1.5 miles into the hike, you will reach a beautiful clearing area before the final, steeper ascent to Lake Blanche.  While most guides and publications list the elevation of Lake Blanche at or slightly above 8,900 feet based on the topographic map, recent LIDAR (LIght Detection And Ranging) data actually puts it closer to 8,870 feet – almost as though the 8,920-foot contour on the map got confused with the 8,880-foot contour.  Distance is approximately 3 miles one-way from the parking lot with an elevation gain of 2,680 feet.

Monte Cristo and Sundial Peak rise
abruptly above Lake Blanche

Dromedary and Sunrise Peaks rise
above Lakes Florence and Lillian