So when I made my list of to-do hikes this Spring, Lake Blanche was not on the list - but it's always been in my mind.
I almost hiked it a week or so ago, but at the last minute, I took a right in the parking lot (instead of a left) and went to Broads Fork instead - which is an even steeper hike at 2200 ft in 2 miles. I know I can get to Lake Blanche (9900ft), I just need to conquer the intimidation....and the clock to get there this year is ticking. And after last night's snow (yea, snow!!) and the forecast for more snow next week, it's ticking very fast!
So this morning, it's time to conquer my "beast"! I'm hiking up to Lake Blanche! And I'm even more excited that the snow I've been looking for, I'll find!
It's cool this morning, low 40s, and will be a little bit colder at the trail head and even colder almost 3000 ft higher. The snow in the high elevations looks wonderful - I think the snow got down to the 7500ft level (maybe a little lower).
Still lots of Fall colors near the entrance of the canyon thanks to the Oaks, Maples, etc.
Only a few cars at the trail head when I arrive around 9:30am. The sun is out but as usual, the beginning of this hike will be in the shade.
The trail starts on a paved road paralleling the creek for about a 1/4 mile. At that point, the actual dirt trail appears to the right and the climb begin. Now the trail is parallels a different creek -- the one draining down from the Lake Blanche area. The direction of the trail is to the southeast through a side canyon - right at Sundial Peak (10,320ft)
The trail is just wet now from last night's rain.
A few hundred yards later, I cross a footbridge to the east side of the creek.
The trail then turns north up a switchback from which I can see down Big Cottonwood canyon towards Salt Lake. Then the trail turns back to the southwest on a constant climb up this side canyon.
There's lots of color around but it's just really hard to enjoy in the shade. The other side of the canyon has sunlight hitting up high. The sound of the creek is very relaxing.
As I get further, I can see snowy mountains in the distance in front of me!! Every step gets me closer.
I reach the "frost" zone real fast - the leaves and vegetation are covered.
Then comes the light snow zone -- just a dusting on the trail, the tree leaves and surrounding vegetation.
After 1.5 miles, I reach a large meadow and the snowy peaks are closer. In fact, a few are on the right side of the canyon across from me. There's icy drops on the pine needles and snow on the seed heads. I looks so pretty! And thankfully, I'm in the sun now -- was getting a bit cool.
A little further along, I get my first look at Sundial Peak -- very hard to see as the sun is right there too!
The sun is right in my eyes so its extremely hard to see ahead - almost run into a guy coming back from Lake Blanche - just couldn't see him. But all the sunshine is glistening beautifully off the snow and ice.
A little further along and the trail begins to veer away from the creek.
I'm in the snow zone now - an inch or two. It's covering berries,
and knocking golden aspen leaves to the ground. It's a little early winter wonderland!
At one point, the trail ends at a snow-covered rocky scree field. I'm not liking this but I head up anyway just for a bit. Thankfully, that's all it took because the dirt trail begins again after only a few feet.
I can see Sundial Peak just over the rocks ahead - I'm almost there!!
Not sure how many switchbacks I climb before arrive at these large slabs of rocks (I believe from what I read, it's quartize). The area opens up.
After walking through a little rocky area -- Sundial (and a bunch other peaks) are ahead of me.
I cross over the wall and head down to Lake Blanche. The water is a little low, icy along the edges but open in the middle with awesome snowy mountain reflections.
I can't hear or see anyone around -- it's all mine (for now)!!
Sundial Peak is still really hard to see because of the position of the sun -- but the other peaks in this glacier cirque --- wonderful!
There's a dam on the far west side of the lake. Part of the wall has fallen away.
I follow the trail along the north side of the lake just to enjoy the views
and to find the other 2 lakes - Florence and Lillian - they are called the three sisters. It's supposed to be another 1/2 mile to Lillian - the last of the lakes.
I climb up on some of the rocks and I can see now see Lake Florence to the west and I start heading in the direction.
I follow a trail up on the rocks because the trail down on the shore appears to end at the dam. I get above Lake Florence
and I can see Lake Lillian nestled pretty close to the mountain range. I can also see a small waterfall running from Lake Blanche to Lake Florence.
I turn around for some amazing views of the northern side of Big Cottonwood canyon and down into the Salt Lake valley! I walked up that valley to get here.
I never make it to the shores of Lake Florence but as I make my way to Lillian, I can't say it enough, just awesome views.
I finally get to Lake Lillian. She has a dam too -- also with a broken wall. This too incredible -- especially with the snow. Unbelievable views everywhere I turn!
I hear water running and it's coming from Lake Florence. It seems that the water runs from Blanche to Florence to Lillian. From Lillian, it becomes the source of the creek I walked beside most of the way up here.
I make my way back to a spot above Lake Florence for lunch. I'm surprised to see a few moths and other insects flying.
Well, its time to leave this wonderful place and I start making my way back to Lake Blanche. Down in Big Cottonwood Canyon, I see that the clouds are rolling in -- there was no forecast of rain but it sure looks like it's slowly rolling in.
I work my way slowing back to Lake Blanche.
And then I head back to that first dam and cross behind it and start my way back down. (When I get home, I find out that the dams were built in the 1930s to make a bigger reservoir. I guess that would explain that first wall, preventing the water from flowing down into the valley -- boy based on where the lake is now -- the water was really high back then -- no shore, just rocks. The Lake Blanche dam broke in 1983 and was never rebuilt.)
On the way down, much of the snow has melted or is in the process melting. The views up back towards the Sundial Peak are much better since the sun has moved.
Just a totally incredible day! I understand why this is such a popular hike. I'm so glad that I picked this day to go -- the snow just added to the beauty.
I'm definitely not intimidated anymore!
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