Surround yourself with fall foliage and breathe in some fresh mountain air when you take the Lake Blanche Trail this season. If you're looking for a challenging hike and a chance to enjoy Utah's mild autumn temps, this is the trail for you.
The Lake Blanche Trail starts at the Mill B Trailhead in Big Cottonwood Canyon. You’ll find the trailhead about 4.4 miles from the mouth of the canyon.
This hike is rated as strenuous, so make sure you’re adequately prepared for the challenge.
Bring along plenty of water, and make sure you’re wearing sturdy hiking shoes. Many hikers find that hiking poles are helpful to navigate the steep portions of this trail.
As you make your way up the trail, you’ll be surrounded by the brilliant hues of fall foliage. Aspens, oaks, and maples all bring vibrant colors to the mountainside.
This hike has a 2,706-foot elevation change, so it’s definitely challenging for most hikers. Luckily, all the gorgeous fall colors will help distract you from the burning in your legs as you climb the steep parts!
Big Cottonwood Canyon is well-known for its moose population, so keep an eye out.
Fall is the time of the moose rut, and young bull moose can be aggressive. If you meet up with one on the trail, give it plenty of space. Slowly retreat, and try to put a large object, such as a tree, between you and the moose.
Lake Blanche is a stunner! Take a stroll around the lake, and enjoy lunch or a snack with views of Sundial Peak before heading back down the trail.
If you’d like, you can continue on to hike short spur trails that take you to Lake Florence and Lake Lillian.
Your hiking adventure will take you 6.9 miles, out and back. GIve yourself plenty of time to complete this trail - you don’t want to navigate it in the dark.
As always, please practice the principles of Leave No Trace. Pack out everything you pack in, stay on the trail while hiking, and be respectful to wildlife and other hikers.
Have you hiked the Lake Blanche trail this season? We'd love to see your photos in our Facebook comments!
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