Lake Blanche Trailhead — Attraction in Cottonwood Heights

We arrived at 7:30am on a weekday (today, Friday) - the parking lot was full and there were already cars lining the main road in both directions. I can't imagine what time you'd need to get here on a weekend to get a parking spot. Bring sunscreen and bug spray on this hike; the mosquitos are relentless in certain sections of the trail. If you start later in the day, make sure you bring A LOT of water. There are two porta potties at the trailhead but I'd recommend bringing your own TP. The trail was almost 7 miles so a bit longer than alltrails says.

The first part of the hike is paved, then there's a small stream/mud that travels down the middle of the trail, then it gets pretty rocky. It stays rocky and dusty for pretty much the rest of the trail. It's a gradual incline and not strenuous for the average hiking adult. I would not call this trail kid friendly.

I'd recommend starting this hike earlier (9am at the absolute latest, assuming you get a parking spot) because once the sun comes over the mountains and hits the trail, you won't have much shade. No dogs are allowed on this trail.

The view at the first lake was nice, and you can hear a waterfall feeding into the lake from the side closest to the mountains. No swimming is allowed...

I have hiked this trail in the summer, fall, and winter. The top of the trail is gorgeous in all seasons but the hike was different each time. Here are my tips for the trail:

Summer: The most popular time of the year to hike this trail, by far. Come early if you want decent parking. The trail will also get pretty warm by midday. Streams are abundant throughout the trail which are filled from the snow from above that has melted.

Fall: Starts to get covered in snow fairly early into fall. By November, it was covered well enough that spikes are highly recommended, especially coming down the trail to keep you from sliding and falling. Some traffic on the trail but not a lot. Gets very cold at night.

Winter: Bring snowshoes, you will need them. The trail is fairly empty during winter but still not difficult to navigate. I hiked it during Utah’s snowiest winter on record, and it was so covered in snow that in much of the trip we were surrounded on both sides by snow that went up seven feet or higher, as if we were hiking through trenches.

Overall, the scenery at the top is gorgeous. It has been fun hiking this each season but summer is the easiest and...

Trail starts where Big Cottonwood canyon does the S curve on Mill B trail. I love that this hikes starts out with such a bang walking along Big Cottonwood Canyon River which is so interesting to watch. It is a river with lots of boulders and is about 10-15 feet across, and is very swift. You want to.watxh for a dirt trail heading off to the right which would have trail signs for Lake Blanche. you get to keep walking along a section of this river, and even if you don't get to see the river the whole time now it is still a wonderful background sound. About 2 miles up.you hit this incredible patch of yellow Arrowleaf Balsamroot flowers that is incredible. The cilff views are gorgeous, so make sure you look around and enjoy them. The last 1.5 miles is a little steeper with lots of switchbacks. Theost important part is that when you get to a section of lots of orange rock boulders, you don't clb over these. It is a switch back and you have to turn 180 degrees around to see the trail. When you get to Lake Blanche, make sure you walk all the way past the dam so you can see.the beautiful waterfall from lake Blanche to...