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Lake Blanche Trail

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.6 (77)
  1. Areas
  2. UT
  3. …Salt Lake City and Wasatch Front
  4. Big Cottonwood Canyon
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“Epic views along this steep route, which has become a favorite in the Wasatch Range. ”

Jeremy Howlett
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Map Key

7.0

Miles

11.3

KM

Out and Back

8,895' 2,711 m

High

6,307' 1,922 m

Low

2,592' 790 m

Up

2,592' 790 m

Down

14%

Avg Grade (8°)

36%

Max Grade (20°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This is a watershed so please no dogs, cats, horses or pet birds. Also, swimming is prohibited in the lake.

Overview

This is a great trail leading to three gorgeous lakes. It's a steep one; you gain 2700+ feet in about three miles. Access Dromedary & Sundial Peaks from here. Also, you can go up and over to Broads Fork.

Description

Lake Blanche is only one of three lakes up here. You can also get to Lake Florence and Lake Lillian. There is singletrack linking all three of them together. Also, you can hike up the east trail to access the overlook into Mineral Fork and even up to Superior; this route is an expert-only route though.

Enjoy the trail up to Sundial Peak for a little more climb.

Along the trail you'll experience some great views of Raymond & Gobbler's Knob to the north. You'll also see a variety of wildlife including deer, moose, snakes, varieties of birds, and much more. Since you are on a north facing canyon you'll be inside the trees for the majority of your journey up to the lake. Once you switchback on the boulder field, you are within a half mile from the lake. Be sure to go around the lake to soak up the views.

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - Uinta, Wasatch & Cache National Forests Office

Shared By:

Jeremy Howlett
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 77 votes

#1

in Big Cottonwood Canyon

#63

Overall
  4.6 from 77 votes
5 Star
74%
4 Star
18%
3 Star
7%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
1%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Big Cottonwood Canyon

#12

in Utah

#63

Overall
49 Views Last Month
32,081 Since Mar 11, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
0%
0%
34%
16%
49%
1%
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Photos

Sundial peak from the shores of Blanche Lake - stunning...
Jan 22, 2016 near Alta, UT
View from the trail
Jun 29, 2022 near Alta, UT
Iconic view from Lake Blanche (Early May)
May 15, 2015 near Alta, UT
Lake Blanche in late spring.
Jun 13, 2017 near Alta, UT
Lake Blanche
Jun 1, 2020 near Alta, UT
Lake Blanche
Aug 25, 2020 near Alta, UT

3 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 85 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Sep 1, 2024
Kate Sensenig
First time to Lake Blanche, solo hike. Met a 5 year old named Emma and threw rocks in the lake with her. — 3h 05m
Aug 10, 2024
Omkar Gadakh
Aug 9, 2023
Jacob Nyfeler
Jun 29, 2023
Kevin H
May 24, 2023
Bobby Meyers
Snow last half — 4h 30m
Jul 4, 2022
Sara Hoy
Jun 29, 2022
Stewart Carnes
Aug 14, 2021
Marc Daniel
With Mila — 8h 32m

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