🇺🇸 Autumn Colors at Lake Blanche

This Lake Blanche trail is honestly legendary — a hike you’ll remember for a lifetime! 📍 About the Trail The trail begins at the Mill B South Fork Trailhead in Big Cottonwood Canyon, right at the base of an S-curve — easy to find! The out-and-back route is about 3 miles each way. The first half winds through shady scrub oak and aspen groves 🌳, with occasional openings offering glimpses of quartzite peaks and the Great Salt Lake in the distance. The second half features a series of switchbacks leading up a glacially polished quartzite slide — you can still see the ancient striations on the rocks. So much history etched in stone! The real reward comes when you reach the lake — it truly feels like “past the darkness, another world appears.” Near the shore, you’ll find remnants of an old dam marking the lake’s historic boundary. From there, you can catch views of both Lake Florence and Lake Lillian as well. 📸 Must-Capture Photo Spots 1️⃣ Sundial Peak Reflection On a calm, sunny day, the lake becomes a perfect mirror for Sundial Peak — an iconic Utah vista and even the emblem of the Wasatch Mountain Club! 🌄 2️⃣ Glacial Rock Overlook Climb onto the smooth slabs by the lake for a stunning foreground of water and a backdrop of the Salt Lake Valley. Perfect for layered shots with people in the frame! 3️⃣ Three-Lake Vista From the broken dam on the west side of Blanche, you can see all three lakes layered in one majestic view — incredible depth and perspective. ⚠️ Trail Tips & Notes ⚠️ Moderate to challenging — allow ~5 hours round trip. Start early in summer to avoid intense sun. Bring at least 2 liters of water. 🐕 No pets allowed — the area is a protected watershed for Salt Lake City. 🗓️ Best time: June to October. Winter snowshoeing is possible but be aware of avalanche risk. Yes, my legs were shaking by the end — but seeing Sundial Peak reflected in that deep blue water made every step worth it. Utah’s alpine lakes never disappoint! #LakeBlanche #HikeUtah #AlpineLake #AutumnHikes #WasatchRange