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White Pine Lake Is A Mountain Lake In Utah Where The Water Is A Mesmerizing Blue

Published Jul 19, 2022

Written by 

Courtnie Erickson

Tucked away in the Lone Peak Wilderness is one of the most beautiful small lakes — White Pine Lake. This body of water is inspiring with its surrounding beauty and mesmerizing blue water. However, to admire the beauty of White Pine Lake in person, you must put in the effort. The journey is going to be hard and quite challenging, but the payoff will be worth every single step.

You’ll find the trailhead to White Pine Lake trail up Little Cottonwood Canyon. The trailhead is right off of the main road and you’ll know you are in the right place when you see the small parking area.

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Scott Durrant/AllTrails

We suggest getting an early start in the day. This trail, particularly the early portions of the trail, can become quite busy and the parking area can fill up quickly as this trail can also lead you to Gloria Falls and connects with the Red Pines Lake Trail.

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This out-and-back trail is just over 10 miles. While the distance is a bit challenging, so is the incline. Over the entire course of this trail, you can expect to climb more than 2,500 feet in elevation. This means you will encounter some fairly steep areas on the trail.

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Laura Tungseth/AllTrails

However, the beauty of the area can easily distract you from the hard work you are putting into your trek.

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Laura Tungseth/AllTrails

Stop and enjoy the stream views …

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Michael Sansom/AllTrails

… and the forests that you will trek through.

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Alex Stark/AllTrails

However, this gorgeous journey is just leading you to an exquisite payoff — White Pine Lake.

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Chris Easton/AllTrails

This lake is nestled in the mountains and the blue color is almost piercing.

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Jason Patterson/AllTrails

Even better, because of the challenging trek, don’t be surprised if you are one of the few people actually at the lake. This makes it easy to find a little solitude in the mountains.

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Michael Sansom/AllTrails

Many individuals use this trail for backpacking. If you are up for this type of adventure, make sure you stare at the sunset and wake up early to catch the sunrise — you’ll find some of the best near this lake!

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Leonardo Perez/AllTrails

Have you ever hiked to White Pine Lake in Little Cottonwood Canyon? What was your favorite part of the journey? We’d love to hear all about your experiences in the comments and don’t forget to share any photos!

If you are in southern Utah and looking for a beautiful hidden lake and campground where you can also enjoy some quiet, head to Posey Lake and Campground near the small town of Escalante.

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Nature|Hiking

The Iconic Trail in Utah Everyone Should Hike Once in Their Lifetime

One of Zion's most popular trails is the Scout Lookout via West Rim Trail, and for good reason. It's not easy by any stretch of the imagination, but it's one of those bucket list-worthy adventures everyone should experience at least once.

Published Oct 28, 2024

Written by 

Katie Lawrence

When it comes to iconic hikes in Utah, Zion National Park is the first place I think of (along with Arches and Bryce Canyon, of course). After all, it's home to some of the most stunning views our state has to offer, and millions of people travel from all over the world each year to revel in its magic. One of Zion's most popular trails is the Scout Lookout via West Rim Trail, and for good reason. It's not easy by any stretch of the imagination, but it's one of those bucket list-worthy adventures everyone should experience at least once.

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AllTrails Kristin Kozelsky

At 3.6 miles long, the Scout Lookout via West Rim Trail is by no means the longest hike in the park, but it is one of the most challenging. The out-and-back trail is rated as hard on AllTrails due to its steep ascent. You'll climb over 1,100 feet in a relatively short distance, navigating tight switchbacks before arriving at the final viewpoint known as Scout Lookout.

While the view at the top is definitely the pièce de résistance, you'll enjoy breathtaking scenery along the entire trail. At the beginning, the path crosses the Virgin River on a bridge before paralleling the river for a short time. From there, the ascent begins, and as the scene unfolds before your eyes, it only gets more picturesque with every step you take. With the ancient, majestic canyon walls rising up all around, you'll swear you're looking at a painting or a postcard. That's just part of living in Utah - what a blessing to call such a state home where the scenery is almost too beautiful to be real.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can continue past Scout Lookout to Angel's Landing, but only experienced hikers should attempt this. Additionally, the trail does not offer much shade, so consider starting either in the early morning or late afternoon to beat the heat if you're visiting in the warmer months.

Visit AllTrails for more information about the Scout Lookout via West Rim Trail. I also recommend signing up for AllTrails+ if you're an avid hiker. The app is an incredible resource with features like 3D flyovers, wrong-turn alerts, and offline map access. Your first week is free, so there's no risk involved in trying it out.

Have you ever embarked on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure? What are your favorite iconic hikes in Utah? Tell us in the comments!

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Nature|Hiking

The Completely Free Art Panel Hiding in a Utah Park is a Must-Visit

The Rochester Panel is one of three sites that make up the San Rafael Swell. It's a short and sweet hike to view it.

Published Oct 23, 2024

Written by 

Jackie Sutherlin

The Rochester Panel is one of three sites that make up the San Rafael Swell. Goblin Valley is certainly the most popular out of the three, its surreal rock structures are a beautiful sight. The Wedge’s incredible valleys, canyons, and gorges are so magnificent, that its nickname is the Little Grand Canyon. 

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But the third site, the Rochester Panel, is often overlooked by tourists in favor of the other two, and that’s a shame! Many believe this rock art to be the most unique rock art in Utah! The hike to reach the panel is only about half a mile, and it’s completely free. 

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Michael Fisher/All Trails

With any trail, I’m always going to have my AllTrails + account open before I reach the trailhead. The Rochester Panel trail is mostly well-marked and easy to follow, but it’s always better to come prepared. Especially in Utah’s wilderness. 

The out-and-back-trail clocks in at just shy of one mile with an elevation gain of 98 feet. Like many hiking trails in this area, there is very little/no shade. A wide-brim hat and sunglasses are always part of my hiking essentials, and of course, sunscreen. 

The hike to the petroglyphs is fairly scenic, and overall a moderate hike. Once you read the petroglyphs, prepare to be amazed! These figures were made by many cultures over time, including prehistoric groups all the way up to early settlers. 

It’s a fascinating site to see in person. You could sit here for hours just admiring these drawings. Some of them are 2,000 years old! Pack a lunch, sit for a spell, and think about the first people who marked these rocks. What do you think this area looked like 2,000 years ago?

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Ryan Moreau/All Trails

As you’re admiring the petroglyphs, you’ll notice some…modern additions. Since apparently we can’t have nice things, I feel the need to remind everyone not to do this. Do not write on the panels, do not add your initials, and don’t even touch them. Take all the photographs you want, but leave it as you found it so future generations can enjoy it, too. 

Because there’s little shade, I’d recommend viewing the Rochester Panel early in the morning or closer to dusk to avoid that mid-day sun. This is a great trail for the spring and fall, though it’s not impossible to tackle in the winter. You’ll just have to make sure your vehicle can reach the trailhead. 

Share this article with someone you want to visit the Rochester Panel with and start planning your adventure today. 

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