fireweed
looking towards the Salt Lake Valley
Lake Blanche trail | Sundial Peak
A moderately difficult 6.9 mile hike in Big Cottonwood Canyon. One of the most popular hikes in Salt Lake City area that is accessible from late May to October.
6.9 Miles | Out and Back | Difficult
2690 ft. gain | Dog Friendly
Big Cottonwood Canyon, Salt Lake City, UT
trail leading up to Lake Blanche with Sundial Peak in the distance
Scratch marks from glaciers
Succulents
More evidence of rock slides affecting the trail
Black Twinberry
Area where the trail crosses with a rock slide
This hike can be a bit of a struggle to get to the top but once you get there the view that you’ve worked so hard for, all pays off. One of the most fascinating things about this hike is the long glacial streaks in the smooth stone near the top. Lake Blanche sits in an alpine basin that was dug out by a glacier during the last ice age. It’s amazing to see these artifacts left from long ago. Once high enough you will start to see Sundial Peak and will climb closer to it as it sits right behind Lake Blanche.
Tip: Explore the surrounding area including Lillian and Florence lakes. Bring a bottle of campfire whiskey and stay for a night before descending the next morning.
Learn more about the area: Twin Peaks Wilderness Area, Wasatch National Forest
Hippie Hikes © 2016