For the last four years on the last weekend of summer we have hiked to Lake Blanche. It's not the hardest hike but not the easiest either. It's 3 miles to the lake and 3 miles back give or take with an almost 3000 foot elevation gain from the trail head. The trail is pretty easy to follow as there aren't many forks or turn offs until you get to the lake. There are two other lakes, Lillian and Florance, that are just to the west of Blanche. If you hiked all the way up to Blanche you might as well check out the other two as they are just behind the broken dam of Lake Blanche and down a small hill.
The trail starts at the S turn of Big Cottonwood Canyon in the Mill B South Parking Lot. Then follow the paved Big Cottonwood Trail for a bit until you see the trail head marker for Lake Blanche. Then you start your slow descent up to Lake Blanche. Due to the elevation gain we normally take about an 1 1/2 to 2 hours to get up to the lake with frequent stops to enjoy the view, like the one above, and sometimes just to catch our breathe. Once you make your way to where the trail meanders and switches back and forth through a think aspen grove you are half way there. Keep going the hardest part is mostly behind you at this point.
When the rocks start to take on a reddish hue you know you are close. Before going to the lake take a few minutes to explore the glacial carvings on these red rocks. It is crazy to think that rocks and ice made all these score marks millions of years ago. After exploring the glacial carvings just head towards Sundial Peak and Lake Blanche at its base. Here you can unpack your lunch and enjoy your wonderful surroundings. A word of caution to you, at an elevation of just under 9000 feet it can get a bit chilly at the top and if there is wind you will want a jacket or just be prepared to keep moving to stay warm. When you are ready to leave just take the same trail down that you took up. It usually takes us about an hour to get down maybe less with a little trail running.
Keep on hiking. -e
