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ALPINE LAKES • WILDLIFE • VR 360

The Three Sisters of the Wasatch

A Journey of Healing Light and Unexpected Roommates

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The Armchair Traveler Ritual

If you are using a VR headset, watching on a big screen, or using a large tablet to slowly look around... turn on a fan to feel the cool mountain air, open a bottle of pine essential oil, and imagine taking huge gulps of clean, alpine oxygen! Get ready for multiple encounters with our friendly giant moose!

⚡ The Quick Scoop

The Vibe: A strenuous, heart-pumping climb rewarded by pure, high-alpine tranquility and deep family bonding.

Accessibility: ♿ While the hike to the lake is extremely steep, the trail actually begins on the paved Mill B South path! It is a lovely paved area perfect for wheelchairs or strollers that lets you stroll along and hear the incredible power of the fast-moving river.

The Inspiration: Pushing yourself to make hard goals, finding comfort in nature after unimaginable tragedy, and relying on your family to help you reach the summit.

Shauna's Rating: 💎💎💎💎💎 (A classic Utah 5 out of 5 Diamonds!)

Lake Blanche is a Utah classic for a very good reason. It’s a steep, challenging climb, but the reward at the top is one of the most stunning alpine scenes in the entire Wasatch range.

This trip all started with a personal goal: I wanted to brave an overnight backcountry hike. It is intimidating, and Todd insisted I find a buddy. I had called SO many people, and they all kept telling me no. I was so incredibly sad that this goal I really wanted to conquer was going to have to be let go.

But you know, the universe is sometimes very kind in helping us achieve our goals. I decided to ask my cousin, and before I knew it, my sister had changed her mind, my cousin grabbed her sister, and all of a sudden we had a cute little family reunion! Push yourself to make hard goals, and when in doubt, don't leave out the amazing support of family to help you obtain your dreams.

Chapter I

The Roaring River Sprint

The hike begins on the paved Mill B South Trail alongside the magnificent Big Cottonwood River. It is one of the fastest-flowing rivers in the world, descending so much elevation in such little time without a main waterfall. The sheer volume of water crashing over the boulders is a deafening, humbling roar.

As we left the paved path and started up the steep dirt trail, I quickly realized my mistake. I am normally a slow hiker who likes to take her time on the trail, setting up cameras and filming. My trail companions for this trip? Three incredibly fit, in-shape runners! Oh, and because I organized the trip, I ended up hauling the heaviest pack—loaded down with the Jetboil stove, the heavy water purifier, and half of a tent!

I was definitely the slowest of the group, but hauling that massive pack, I made it up to Lake Blanche faster than I ever have in my entire life just trying to keep up with those amazing women!

🧭 Trail Tip: The Boulder Switchback

The hike itself is a classic Wasatch challenge: it's steep! There is one very tricky switchback at the boulder field that catches a lot of people off guard. When the main trail seems to suddenly end at a massive wall of rocks, don't panic! Look for the path that cuts back sharply to your right to continue the climb.

Chapter II

The Healing Light

Despite the heavy packs and the grueling pace, this trip ended up being profoundly beautiful. My cousin is one of the strongest, most impressive women I have ever known. She lost her husband to cancer in her twenties and was left to raise three children entirely alone. She remarried 15 years later, only to go through a deeply sad and tragic divorce. And then, devastatingly, she lost her 18-year-old daughter shortly before this camping trip.

💖 A Time to Rally

This adventure into the mountains ended up being a lovely, sacred time for us to rally around her. We had the time and space to just love on her, to listen to her worries and fears, and to give her comfort and hugs away from the noise of the world.

As the sun began to set, the lake transformed into a magical canvas. The colors were breathtaking, the atmosphere was serene. I'll never forget watching the area transform with its luminescence. It's as if The Light wants to share with us a blessing of Hope and Love. If you make it up there, breathe it in deep, and feel the healing as you absorb the light just like the mountains do.

Chapter III

The Midnight Hostage & The Camera Blooper

As we explored the lakes, we kept running into two massive, beautiful moose almost everywhere we went. They were actually such a comforting, relaxing presence to just hang out and watch as we talked.

One of our giant companions wandering the shoreline!

🎬 Behind the Scenes: The Face Palm

During the shoot, I was SO excited to sneak up and get a close-up shot of the moose. I set up my VR gear, and the moose actually came right up to the camera! It was going to be an absolutely epic shot. But he got so close, he almost tipped over my entire rig!

When the moose finally left, I was so relieved the camera didn't get knocked over... but imagine my sickly sadness when I realized that in my haste to push the buttons and get away from the giant animal, I actually didn't hit the record button hard enough! Major face palm! 🫎

⛺ The Trapped Bladder

These gentle giants decided that the absolute best place to hang out was right next to our chosen campsite! We loved it during the day, but when the sun went down, that moose bedded down right next to our tents.

The hilarious reality? I didn't sleep a wink! I held my bladder all night long because I was absolutely terrified to unzip the tent, step out into the pitch black, and accidentally startle a 1,000-pound moose!

Chapter IV

A Backcountry Feast at Sunset

This time, because we had our tents safely pitched, we could truly enjoy the sunset without fear of hiking down in the dark. We had been wandering up the mountain, exploring a hidden vista the rangers told us about, when I suddenly realized the sun was dropping fast behind the mountains.

I really did not want to miss the color hitting Sundial Peak, so I took off running! My incredibly sweet sister and cousins actually brought my dinner to me at the overlook. We had all packed freeze-dried meals—they had Mountain House Chicken Alfredo, and I picked the Peak Sweet Pork. We sat there together on the rocks, enjoying the golden hour, watching Sundial Peak light up in all its glory while eating our hot camp meals straight from the Jetboil. It was simply perfect.

Chapter V

Field Notes & Trail Guide

🗺️ Adventure at a Glance

Location Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah

Distance Approx. 7 miles Round Trip

Elevation Gain ~2,700 feet (Steep!)

Time Needed 4-5 hrs day hike, or overnight

🎒 Helpful Hints for Your Visit

Watershed Rules: This is a highly protected watershed for Salt Lake City. Absolutely NO DOGS are allowed in the canyon or on the trail, and NO SWIMMING is permitted in any of the lakes!
Parking: The trailhead is at the Mill B South Fork Trailhead, located at the big "S" curve. The lot fills up extremely fast. Arrive very early!
Backpacking: Camping is permitted, but you must be at least 200 feet away from any water source. Get there early to claim one of the limited flat spots.

🌸 A Hike for All Seasons

🌿 Spring: The waterfalls along the trail are incredibly powerful from the runoff. The fresh, vibrant green around the lake creates a stunning contrast against the deep red rocks.
☀️ Summer: This is when the trail truly comes alive. About two-thirds of the way up, you'll be rewarded with a massive, stunning field of bright yellow Arrowleaf Balsamroot flowers.
🍂 Fall: The colors are fantastic. You'll pass through a beautiful patch of red maples on the way up, and the bright yellow aspens around the lake are purely wonderful.

Chapter VI

Step Into the Alpine (360° VR)

This immersive VR Getaway transports you directly into our backpacking adventure at the lakes. Experience the stunning sunset, our majestic moose roommates, and the joy of exploring this high-alpine paradise.

🔎 The VR Scavenger Hunt 🌟

While you're exploring, see if you can spot these magical moments:

Sundial's Sunset Glow: Find the exact moment when the setting sun lights up Sundial Peak in a beautiful, warm, healing alpenglow.
A Moose in the Morning: Can you spot one of our giant moose companions enjoying an early morning snack near the water?
The Hidden Vista: Experience the incredible panoramic view looking down on all three lakes from the secret spot the ranger told us about!
A Waterfall Surprise: Look for the beautiful, cascading waterfall that flows between Lake Blanche and Lake Florence.

Interactive Magic

✨ Ask the Alpine Ranger

Curious about the paved Mill B trail, the 'Face Palm' camera blooper, or watershed rules? Ask our AI Guide!

The Healing Mountains

This backpacking trip to Lake Blanche was a perfect reminder that sometimes the absolute best adventures are the ones you have to fight for. We came for a hike and left with a story of laughter, shared discovery, profound healing, and unforgettable encounters with the true residents of the canyon.

🫎 Easter Egg Hunt: Did you spot the hidden Moose emoji in today's story? Tell me where you found it in the comments!

Sending Love and Positive Vibes,
Shauna @ VRGetaway