Lake Blanche: Beyond the Crowds | An Overnighter in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains

Lake Blanche is definitely not a hidden gem. It’s one of the most popular hikes in the Wasatch, and on a nice weekend you’re probably going to have plenty of company on the trail.

But I’d never actually backpacked up there before, and I was looking for a quick overnighter close to home. Nothing complicated. Just throw on the pack, get a good workout in, spend a night in the mountains and be home the next day.

Lake Blanche seemed perfect.

Quick Tips Before You Go

Parking: The hike starts from the Mill B South/Lake Blanche trailhead at the S-curve in Big Cottonwood Canyon. Parking is limited and this is an extremely popular trail, so weekends can be a bit of a mess. Go early if you can and have a backup plan if the lot and legal roadside spaces are full.

Parking Fee: Mill B is a Forest Service recreation fee site. For an overnight trip, plan on the $10 multi-day vehicle fee or if you have the America the Beautiful Pass. Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Pass

Watershed: Big Cottonwood Canyon is a protected watershed. This is part of Salt Lake City’s drinking-water watershed. Dogs are not allowed, swimming or wading is prohibited, and camping needs to be at least 200 feet from lakes, streams and other water sources.

Camping: There aren’t designated campsites around the lakes, so look for an already disturbed, durable spot rather than creating a new one.

A Short but Steep Climb

Elevation gain: ~2,700 ft | Distance: ~7 miles round trip | Difficulty: Hard - short, but steep

The hike to Lake Blanche isn’t all that long, but it makes you work for it. It’s basically nature’s Stair Master. Just a few miles of steady climbing that feels a little different when you have an overnight pack on your back.

But that’s also part of what I wanted from this trip. Something close to home that still felt like I had earned my night in the mountains.

Eventually the trail opens up into the basin and you get that classic view of Lake Blanche sitting below Sundial Peak. There’s a reason this hike is so popular. It really is a beautiful spot.

Beyond Lake Blanche

Most people stop at Blanche, but I kept going toward the two smaller lakes just beyond it. Florence and Lillian.

I wasn’t sure exactly where I was going to camp. I just wanted to explore the basin a little and hopefully find somewhere away from the busiest areas around Lake Blanche.

I eventually found a nice spot between Florence and Lillian where I could set up for the night.

It wasn’t miles away from everyone or some secret backcountry campsite. I was still in one of the most popular hiking areas in the Wasatch. But as the afternoon went on and the day hikers started heading back down the trail, things got a whole lot quieter.

That was exactly what I was looking for.

A Night in the Wasatch

Once I had camp set up, there really wasn’t much of an agenda. I wandered around the lakes, saw some Moose, took some photos, ate dinner, watched the sunset and just enjoyed being up there.

And honestly, that’s one of the things I like about these quick local overnighters. Not every backpacking trip needs to be some big multi-day adventure.

Sometimes I just want to get out after work or on a weekend, hike a few miles into the mountains and sleep outside.

Living this close to the Wasatch makes that pretty easy to do.

Lillian Falls and the Hike Out

The next morning I packed up, had some coffee and made my way over to Lillian Falls before heading back down.

It was a cool little side trip and a good way to finish the overnight before starting the descent back into Big Cottonwood Canyon.

Then it was back down the Stair Master, fortunately in the easier direction this time.

Camping Responsibly

Lake Blanche is part of a protected watershed, so taking care of the area is especially important. I found a durable campsite at least 200 feet from the lakes and streams, packed out everything I brought in and tried to leave the area exactly as I found it.

With this many people visiting the basin, those little things really do matter.

Final Thoughts

This wasn’t a huge trip. No massive mileage, complicated itinerary or far-off destination. And I think that’s what I liked about it.

I got a tough climb, three beautiful alpine lakes, a quiet night in the mountains and a waterfall the next morning, all basically in my backyard.

It was a good reminder that I don’t always need to plan some big adventure to get what I’m looking for out here. Sometimes one night is plenty.

Keep trekkin’ Ty