Lake Blanche – Fall

Lake Blanche is one of the longest, and most difficult hikes we have done. However, it is also the most beautiful and rewarding hikes as well. The serenity and beauty far overshadow the difficulty and roughness.

Two years ago I did this in late summer, early fall, and completely missed the fall colors on this trail. Somehow we never made it last year, so here we are! And boy am I glad we did it!

To get here: Drive 4.4 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon to the big S curve. There are 2 parking lots here the Mill B South with is lower on the first curve, and Mill B North with is in the middle of the S. Park in (or near) the South one. There is a cement trail that continues east from the parking lot, past the restrooms. Go up that approximately .2 miles and there will be a bridge over a side creek. The trail head is to the right of that and is clearly marked. It is 2.8 miles to the lake so add the .2 from the parking lot and you have a solid 3 miles just to the lake. Bring plenty of water, at least 2 liters per person.

A quick DBP shot of the mountains from i215. They are looking great!

Next we discovered the parking lot gated off due to the Government Shutdown. Grrr. I get closing the bathrooms (they did) they cost money to maintain and clean, but the parking lot? Come on now! That’s being ridiculous! Blah, no matter the upper lot had a spot open.

Big Cottonwood Creek and some fall color.

And here is the trail head after the cement trail up. Mill B South Fork is to the left here.

I somehow missed the little set of cascades last time. They are really pretty.

After a couple storms that gave us mountain snow, this trail is a little wet and muddy in some sections. Also, note how rocky it is. This is mild against most of this trail.

Nice shot of Mill B South Fork, looking down from a bridge. Behind me is a nice bench to rest on.

Yes. those are snowy peaks back there.

Hey, they fixed the sign.

Just some gorgeous scenery up here.

Some more amazing sights.

This trail so so beautiful.

Leaf covered trail.

Some aspens.

This one just showing how rocky the trail is.

Nice peak above.

A quick peak back down the canyon.

More aspens.

Autumn and winter.

More color.

The trail is quite a ways above the creek, but I did manage to spot this little cascade below.

WOW!

Another shot of the creek below. I have dubbed this to be about halfway, and if the hike isn’t already kicking your butt, it’s about to get a bit worse.

Another look down.

And our first glimpse of Sundial Peak, and a reminder of how much further we have to go. We still need to make it up and around that mound in front of it.

With some color.

The lazy waterfall coming out of lake Lillian.

Some nice yellows in this band of aspens.

I always try to look up once in a while.

I love these bands of aspens.

Littered with leaves.

Yellow and blue.

Some striking yellows.

Up!

And our first glimpse of one of the Twin Peaks.

More color, and a better shot of the first twin.

This particular section was amazing!

And we have hit another beautiful band of aspens. They just look so stunning in the sunlight.

I guess it didn’t work out? Ouch.

Here is a good representation of the majority of the trail. Rocks, rocks, and more rocks. oh yea, and UP.

Ah! There is the second twin.

I really thought we should have reached the landslide section by now, and kept thinking we were would hit it on every switchback. Oi. This is really a long and tough trail, but look how beautiful it is!

Such amazing, beautiful views.

And we have hit snow.

I like this large boulder.

I see a bear walking away in this aspen.

I just love autumn littered trails. I don’t know why but I think it is pretty.

Better shot of Twin Peaks.

Getting above the mound. We should be getting closer by now.

Sundial, and Twin Peaks.

The landslide! Ok, we are definitely close now. The first time I did this trail, this freaked me out. But don’t fret. It is like 6-8 feet of scrambling over solid boulders. (they look loose, but are not).

Sundial, and Twin Peaks again. Twin Peaks uh.. ok 12 year old brain totally switches on.

Eep more snow! The trail is again wet and muddy here.

And we have reached the rock mound with signs of glacier activity.

And you can see the Salt Lake Valley from here.

Glacier scrapes and a square rock.

I love this little chute with Sundial Peak in the background. Look at the snow!

Split rock.

And the first glimpse of Lake Blanche.

Sundial Peak and some pretty snow speckled pines.

Lake Blanche with some autumn color, and glacier scrapes.

A thin band of autumn color. Wow!

Absolutely stunning scenery!

I decided to hike up above and get a nice view of the valley below. While up here I heard some loud crashing noises that I can only assume were an avalanche somewhere in the snowy sections.

And here is Lake Florence, and Lillian. We hiked down to them last time, but were losing daylight quickly, and did not do this today.

Better shot of the Salt Lake Valley below.

Lakes Blanche, Florence, And Lillian, and all in one shot. They are pretty close to each other. Oh and Twin Peaks as well. There is a small waterfall between Blanche and Florence, and I am kind of wishing I had hiked down to get those fall colors with it, but, I would rather not walk down the trail in the dark.

My creative solution to fitting both the entire peak, and its reflection and them some was to create a panoramic. Bonus I got Twin Peaks as well.

This picture shows what I mean. From the best vantage of seeing the reflection you’re too close to really get the full thing.

This is such a beautiful little valley.

Another quick panoramic.

Even though I really, REALLY wanted to spend more time exploring this beautiful area I didn’t want to get caught on the trail in the dark so we needed to return. One of these days I will get up early enough to have plenty of time.

Looking down the chute.

View down the small canyon.

Little patch of orange amongst the yellow and green.

Beautiful bands of color.

I just love the golden color.

Looking up again. I really liked the way this one came out.

The lazy waterfall.

I didn’t go up to investigate closer, but it looks like that boulder has some glacier scrapes as well.

Pretty views below.

The creek again.

It looks like this tree was hit by lightning.

Side trail took us to the creek.

Another side trail.

Another shot of the creek..

Rapidly losing light, but still wonderful colors.

And we have moon.

And this is at the little bridge.

We have reached the paved trail. Just in time, as it is starting to get pretty dark. I love the way the roots push the cement up.

I just love this trail. Like I said, it’s difficult, it’s rocky, it’s UP, and it’s fairly popular but is is one of the most beautiful trails we have done locally. This is also a good sign of how much better shape we are than when we did it 2 years ago. We didn’t have to stop as often, and we are not as sore afterwards.

Summer or fall both offer different challenges, and different experiences. Summer was a lot hotter (obviously) needed much more water, had a tougher time. But loads and loads of wildflowers and butterflies! Fall was a bit easier to do with it being cooler, didn’t require as much water, and the fall color was outstanding! However, the trail was muddy in quite a few areas, and there were sections of snow. Also, I was very glad to have my jacket with my as it was cold all the way up there!

Last time we did it I gave it a perfect 10, and I think it shall retain that 10.

As for difficulty, hoo boy I think I need to bump this up to a DR5. There are a lot of long steep rocky sections, and couple steep drop offs, and of course the rock slide you have to scramble over.