Guardsman Pass to Bloods Lake

Last week we drove up to Silver Lake, and hiked up to Lake Solitude, while on the trail I looked out and saw the road to Guardsman Pass it had some great fall color and I really wanted to check it out. We didn’t because of the snow. While researching it, I discovered Bloods Lake and decided to add that to the adventure. Bloods Lake is a short 1 mile out and back hike to a high elevation lake and sounded pretty interesting. Today was an exceptionally beautiful day, so I decided we should go check it out finally.

To get here, drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon, past Solitude, but before Brighton there is a marked turnoff to the left. If you miss it, don’t worry, Brighton is a loop road, and you will be back again before you know it, with a right turn this time. I did notice last week that it is not signed from this direction. About 3 miles up from the turnoff is the actual pass, which has the parking lot for the trailhead.

The mountains still as colorful as ever. (Drive By Photo). We are certainly enjoying an extended fall this year.

Not far after the turnoff, there is a pullout next to the seasonal closure gates. Here is the view from it.

And the accidental Mickey Mouse above.

Back to the drive. Lovely through the pines. (DBP)

Unfortunately, it appears the aspens are all done for the season up here. :( (DBP) I really am just not having the best luck this year. However, I am still enjoying this drive.

And the view from Guardsman Pass. WOW! Guardsman Pass is 9700 feet above sea level. To put that in perspective, Salt Lake City is about 4330 ft. and Brighton Ski Resort is 8755. So you know, you climb about a thousand feet to this pass in 3 miles from the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon.

After struggling to find a place to park in the very small and crowded parking lot, we were ready to explore. We found the trailhead, or at least what we believed to be the trailhead, because the sign had long ago faded away. Either way, it seemed to be right so a hiking we went.

Now, just a word of warning, because the trail starts at the pass, this is one of those backwards trails. Meaning you start at the top going downhill, and have to return uphill. These kinds of trails can be tricky because you don’t know how difficult it will be coming back. This trail is short enough that it probably isn’t a problem though.

For the most part, the trail was pretty easy.

Another extraordinary view.

First glimpse of the lake. From here, the previously easy trail starts down pretty steeply. It’s not too bad, but it is definitely steep.

After scrambling down the side of the hill, the trail splits so you can go around either direction. We opted to go right, as there were some people to the left.

Clear enough to see the large log.

I love the way the one turned out, with some great blue skies.

Quick panoramic.

Reflections in a swampy section.

From the small peninsula on the western shore.

Another panoramic.

I love the color of this lake.

Not far beyond this there is a land slide cutting off the trail. So we backtracked to get around the other side.

Someone made a little raft!

Here is the small outlet.

What I thought was another small peninsula turned out to be an island.

Even though it is an island, you can still get onto it. Here is the view from it.

And the peak above the lake. Here you can see the landslide that stopped us from getting around

And a panoramic. 

Continuing around the lake, the trail is quite a bit more thin.

Looking back across the lake. You can just make out the trail down.

Before long this little trail kind of fizzled out so we turned around again.

There is a steep side trail going up the hill. Not sure where it heads. Probably the peak.

Little camp site. And some snow left over from last weekends snow storm we were lucky enough to experience first hand.

Better shot of the little island.

Heading back out of this little bowl.

A last parting shot of the lake.

And now we just have to climb up this. Actually, it was easier, footing wise, to get up than down. Not so easy on the lungs though.

Dry stream bed, or snowmelt trail maybe.

The only flower I saw on the trail. Probably the last one of the season.

Looking towards the peak, and the crowded parking lot. You emerge from Big Cottonwood Canyon between those 2 groups of pines the actual pass (the highest point of the road) appears to be just to the right.

Panoramic from Guardsman Pass looking into the Heber Valley.

This shot kind of shows the road going down the other side. It doesn’t look too bad.

Well that was a great little hike with a beautiful lake! It is pretty popular, but we got lucky and had the lake to our selves for most of our visit. Now we are going to finish our fall drive into Park City.

View from one of the curves. (DBP)

Another section of the road (DBP). I wish we hadn’t missed the color. We will have to try earlier next year.

Hills and clouds. (DBP)

Not far down from the pass the road splits. Left will take you to Park City, right will take you towards Midway and Heber (there is a small sign pointing towards Park City). We went Left.

Somewhere beyond Empire Pass (from what I can tell, but not verified: 8936 ft.) heading into Park City. So the whole loop (at least this direction) is completely paved. (DBP)

Passing through Park City.

A nice valley shot down Parleys Canyon (DBP). Oh, Parleys Summit is 7120 ft. So Guardsman is quite a bit higher.

Familiar ground. Back in the Salt Lake Valley. (DBP)

The hike: The hike out to Bloods Lake was awesome. Absolutely beautiful even this late in the year. I had never even heard of it before a few days ago as I was researching the drive, but it is a popular little trail. At about a mile out and back (plus whatever you decide to do around the lake) it is definitely one of the prettier high elevation lakes we have done. I want to remove a squirrel for the lake of signage and the crowds, but it really was a terrific trail 10 out 10. It was mostly easy, with a short steep section towards the lake. Going with a DR3 for difficulty.

The fall drive: Unfortunately, we did this one too late in the year and missed all of the color. I can tell from all the naked aspens, that it is probably spectacular earlier in the year. Not going to rate it just yet just for that reason. I will say, as far as small mountain roads go, it wasn’t too bad. It is only a little scary right up near the pass on either direction, but we have definitely driven scarier routes. *cough*, Crater Lake, *cough*. And it is paved all the way.

Dogs: Dogs are welcome at Bloods Lake, but are not allowed in Big Cottonwood Canyon. So if you come from the Park City end, then turn around and leave that way, your furry friend is welcome.

Silver Lake to Lake Solitude – Fall

Silver lake is a beautiful, popular, family friendly hike around a stunning lake near the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon. I really love it up there but also wanted to get more of a real hike in as well. We have done the trail to Twin Lakes Reservoir before, so this time I decided we would add Lake Solitude to the days adventure.

As we entered the canyon, I started to wonder if maybe this was not the best day to do this with those dark clouds. But it looks like there are blue skies beyond so we continued. (Drive By Photo).

Okay, I knew this was high elevation, but I didn’t quite expect to encounter snow just yet. Looking back, I guess I am not surprised, it is mid October, but still!

Some great color on the mountains above though!

I love the meadow and streams around Silver Lake. For some reason I usually go around clockwise, today we decided to go counter clockwise.

Just beautiful.

Nice clear water.

Starting to get a proper view of the lake.

A little less than halfway around the lake a trail goes back into the woods behind the lake. This is the way to Twin Lakes (1.5 ish miles), or Lake Solitude (2 miles). There used to be a sign, but either it has been removed for the season, or completely. I know it was there, because that is how we decided between the 2 hikes last time, we went for the shorter trail. Anyway, about 50 feet back is the first trail split. Go right for Lake Solitude and Left for twin lakes.

Darn, not much left to the aspens. I bet even yesterday, before this storm, it was fantastic up here. Oh well, it’s still going to be a nice hike.

Well, so far the snow isn’t too much of a hindrance. Also, there were a lot more trail splits with no signage. I kept choosing the trail that seemed to be higher ground and continued in the general west direction. I don’t know if that was necessarily the best route, but it did get us to the lake.

The other side of the canyon looks stunning.

Okay, starting to really get up into the snow. I wasn’t anticipating a winter hike, but heck I’ll take it. Not much later in the season, and I imagine the snow will be much too deep to traverse.

Another view across the canyon.

And with a ski lift. Seem to getting above Solitude now.

And a clearing.

After the clearing the trail curves around the mountain heading somewhat south and gets a little more snowy.

View of the valley below. I thought that might have been the lake we were heading towards, but I guess it is just a swampy area.

… Okay so where is the Doo-Dah run?

Pretty mix of trees.

I really was hoping to get some good fall colors on today's adventure, I got some but meh. I don’t seem to be having the best luck this year.

Nice valley view below.

Snow covered trees.

Snowy forest.

And then we had this snowy steep section to climb. It was a bit slippery, but wasn’t too bad. Wish I had brought along my hiking stick though.

Because I wasn’t 100% sure we were going the right way, and the steepness and snow was starting to make this tough, I decided that if the lake wasn’t at the top of this ridge I was going to call it a day.

Luckily, it was. I am glad we made it to the lake. It is pretty.

With the peaks above.

Quick panoramic.

Steller’s Jay

Oh hey, I have some sky in this one. I love the little island in this lake.

We found a little mine nearby.

Another panoramic.

And a look down towards the valley below.

And from the other side. It is a small enough lake that it doesn’t take very much time to walk around.

And from the valley end.

Looking down the valley below.

And my least obscured view of the other side of Big Cottonwood Canyon.

And back to about where we first saw the lake to get a picture with it. It was a lovely lake to hike around and we had it mostly to ourselves. Although, that could be due to the snow. None last 3 or 4 pictures above captured the fact that we are currently being snowed upon! So, with that said, we decided to head back down.

And back down the steep slope. It was a little more dodgy on the way down, but again we made it without incident.

Snowwy trail with mossy rocks.

Reflections in a puddle. Where there wasn’t snow, there was mud.

Hiking through the trees.

Structure at the top of that ridge. Probably another ski lift.

Back to the clearing. Oh! It is a frolf (Frisbee golf) course. Not really into sports, but I am interested in checking this one out some time.

Another look across the valley. You can just make out the road going up to Guardsman Pass. I thought about checking that out today, but with the snow decided I would try it another time. Probably going to have to wait until next year.

More nekkid aspens.

Nekkid aspens with some color behind them.

Some remaining leaves to focus in on.

Trampled leaves.

Snow tipped trees.

And we’re back to Silver Lake.

That was an amazing hike away from the crowds. I do love Silver Lake so we will continue making our way around it counter clockwise.

Not too far down was another dock that allowed us a view into the water. Which is clear enough to see the pretty trout swimming around.

And offers a great view.

Less debris in the lake here. I don’t recall this lake being particularly gross, but I guess this year it is.

View of the bright spot across the valley.

Nice view of the lake again.

Snowy path through the trees.

Snow covered boardwalk.

The inlet.

Color plus a random bird.

Color and snow.

Another pretty view.

Beaver dam.

View of the wetlands. Last time we were here we saw a moose come this way.

Peak above.

Boardwalk and colors.

Well Silver Lake, although popular and crowded is very beautiful.

Lazy waterfall near Brighton. (DBP)

Colors on the hillsides coming down the canyon. (DBP)

Well, I was hoping for a fantastic fall hike, and ended up with a winter hike! It was still a great hike and I am happy we came out to see it.

Silver Lake: Gorgeous as always, in every season and a nice stroll around a pretty lake. It is quite popular so it is really crowded. 8 out of 10 squirrels. and a difficulty rating of DR2. It is mostly boardwalked, and the parts that are not are wide, flat, hard packed trails.

Lake Solitude: A fantastic easy 2 mile hike (this is in addition to the time it take to get to the trail head from Silver Lake). A great small lake in a beautiful valley with great views surrounding it. Considerably less crowded than Silver Lake, only ran into a few small groups. The snow was a surprise, but wasn’t a deal breaker. Even though it was longer hike than Twin Lakes, I think it was easier (it has been a few years though). 9 out 10 squirrels. Going with a DR3 for this trail. It was mostly a gradual slope, with one short push of a steep incline towards the end.

Both trails are in watershed so dogs are not welcome.