Lake Blanche is truly one of the most picturesque alpine lakes in the Wasatch Mountains. With Sundial Peak towering above the three glacial lakes — Blanche, Florence, and Lillian — and the surrounding mountains forming a scenic natural bowl, the views are absolutely breathtaking. It’s one of those places that’s so beautiful, it’s hard to leave and head back to your car.
A Winter Visit with Bluebird Skies
I usually hike to Lake Blanche every summer, but this year I wanted to see it snow-covered under bluebird skies. Luckily, we picked the perfect day to go! I started hiking at 8 AM to beat the crowds — and I’m glad I did. If you’re visiting on a weekend, try to get to the trailhead before 9:00 AM. After that, parking fills up fast.
Once I arrived at the lake, I had the whole place to myself. It was a peaceful moment to sit, take in the scenery, and enjoy some solitude. In winter, I recommend bringing a thermos of hot chocolate or tea, something warm to sit on, and taking your time to really soak in the views.
The Lake Blanche hike features a steady and sustained climb, gaining about 2,670 feet in elevation. Starting near 6,200 feet, the trail gradually ascends for most of the route before topping out just under 8,900 feet at the lake. While there are no major descents on the way up, the consistent incline makes this hike feel challenging, especially at higher elevations.
Directions
From SLC, head south on I-15, then East on I-215. Take exit 6 for 6200 S/Wasatch Blvd, and turn right. Turn Left at the 7-11 for Big Cottonwood Canyon. Head up the canyon for 4.7 miles. Right at the “S” curve, on the south side of the road, you will see the trailhead sign for Mill B South. If the parking area is open, park there, or during winter you will need to park along the road.
Here’s a driving map from SLC.
Trail Info
Distance: 6.6 miles RT
Elevation Gain: 2,700 ft
Time: Varies 2-8 hours depending on how long you stay at the lake
Dog friendly? No. This is located within watershed limits, and therefore no dogs are allowed in all of Big Cottonwood Canyon
Kid friendly? Older kids, yes
Trailhead and Early Miles
This is the Mill B South trailhead. During summer months, you can drive past the gate into a small parking lot.
Restrooms are available at the trailhead, but they are locked during winter. Continue past the sign to begin the hike.
Look for the smaller Lake Blanche trailhead sign below a larger sign—this marks the official turnoff for the Lake Blanche hike.
After crossing a bridge and completing the first switchback, the trail begins climbing steadily.
Shortly after starting, you will officially enter the Twin Peaks Wilderness. From here, you’ll have views of Big Cottonwood Canyon and can see the route you’ll be hiking up. The trail is well‑defined but consistently steep, making it a solid workout.
Into Twin Peaks Wilderness
The trail passes through two beautiful aspen groves. The first appears early on, while the second is located about two‑thirds of the way up the hike. In the fall, these sections are especially stunning with golden leaves.
Approaching the Lake
Soon after, Lake Blanche comes into view, nestled beneath dramatic granite cliffs.
As you near the top, the views looking back down the canyon are impressive and give a real sense of how much elevation you’ve gained.
Lake Blanche
Lake Blanche sits in a rocky alpine bowl, with Sundial Peak towering above it. On calm days, the lake reflects the surrounding cliffs and sky, making it one of the most scenic alpine lakes in Utah. It’s not uncommon to find snow around the lake well into early summer.
Almost there!
I found a packed‑down spot near the shoreline to relax and soak in the sun. I ended up staying for over an hour—this is the kind of place that invites you to slow down and enjoy the quiet. The sun felt so good!
Hiking solo gives me the freedom to move at my own pace, linger longer at beautiful spots, and fully soak in moments like this without feeling rushed.
Hiking Lake Blanche in Winter (November 2018)
By mid‑November 2018, Lake Blanche was already frozen over. Winter hiking here requires proper traction, warm layers, and avalanche awareness, but the scenery is completely transformed.
My oldest brother was visiting from Florida, where he hadn’t seen snow in years. It snowed the entire hike, and he absolutely loved the experience.
Yayyyy snow! Hiking Lake Blanche in winter offers solitude and a totally different perspective compared to summer.
Trail Map
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