⛰️ The Three Sisters of the Wasatch: A Guide to Hiking & Backpacking Lake Blanche

The iconic and hard-earned view of Sundial Peak over Lake Blanche.

Lake Blanche is a Utah classic for a reason. It’s a steep, challenging climb, but the reward is one of the most stunning alpine scenes in the Wasatch. But this isn't just a day hike; it's a journey to three beautiful sister lakes—Blanche, Florence, and Lilian—and a destination worthy of an overnight stay. I’ve day-hiked this trail in almost every season, but my favorite memory comes from a backpacking trip with my sister and cousins. It was an adventure that began with a last-minute change of plans and ended with us becoming best buddies with a pair of local moose, discovering hidden vistas, and watching the sunset paint Sundial Peak in glorious color.

🌟 The Golden Nugget

Don't Miss This: Once you've set up camp, don't stop exploring! A friendly camp ranger gave us a fantastic tip: head around the dam at Lake Lillian and continue up the mountain. The social trail is a bit of a scramble, but it leads to an incredible, seldom-seen vista looking down on all three lakes. It's an amazing reward for a little extra effort.

TRANSPORT YOURSELF TO THE SISTER LAKES

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

Immersive VR 360° Journey:

Cinematic Journey (2D Short):

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"The only problem was that we didn't dare go out of our tent in the middle of the night for we were terrified we would run into the moose and startle them. LOL!

🌸 A Hike for All Seasons

I've hiked Lake Blanche in almost every season, and each one offers a unique magic:
🌿 Spring: The waterfalls along the trail are powerful, and the fresh green around the lake is a stunning contrast against the deep red rocks. Patches of snow often linger, making the red and black colors of the mountains pop.
☀️ 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 yellows around the lake, mixed with the blue water and red rocks, are wonderful.

🗺️ Adventure at a Glance

🏞️ Location/Park: Big Cottonwood Canyon, Salt Lake City, Utah
🥾 Hike/Activity: Strenuous hiking, Backpacking, Photography, Moose spotting
📏 Distance: Approx. 7 miles round trip.
📈 Elevation Gain: About 2,700 feet.
⏳ Recommended Time: 4-5 hours for a day hike, or a magical overnight trip.
⭐ Shauna's Rating: 💎💎💎💎💎 (5 out of 5 Diamonds)
🧭 Can't-Miss Sights: Sundial Peak at sunset, the hidden waterfall, and the resident moose!

🥾 My Lake Blanche Story

The Power of the River

The hike begins on the paved Mill B South Trail, and it starts with a bang. You get to walk alongside the magnificent Big Cottonwood River, which is one of the fastest rivers in the world. It descends so quickly, and the sheer volume of water is shocking. The sound is a deafening roar as it crashes over massive boulders, giving you a sense of grandeur and a humbling respect for its power. It's a beautiful and intense start to the adventure.

A Backpacking Adventure with Unexpected Roommates

Our trip was born from a last-minute change of plans. When bad weather thwarted our original backpacking destination, we pivoted to Lake Blanche. I knew the area well and was excited to share the amazing sunset views of Sundial Peak with my sister and cousins. What we didn't plan for was becoming best buddies with two local moose! They had decided to hang out right near our chosen campsite, which meant for two days, every walk around the lakes involved careful cornering and long, quiet moments of just admiring these magnificent creatures. It was comical—we had about 15 encounters before we saw some rangers who were desperately trying to find them!

One of our Constant Companions

The Three Sisters and a Hidden Vista

The hike itself is a classic Wasatch challenge: a steep but beautiful climb. The reward is arriving at the stunning Lake Blanche, with the iconic Sundial Peak standing guard. But the adventure doesn't end there! A short walk takes you to the two smaller "sister" lakes, Florence and Lilian. On our trip, a kind ranger gave us a tip to explore even further. We scrambled up the mountain from the dam at Lake Lillian and were rewarded with an incredible, seldom-seen vista looking down on all three lakes. It was a lovely, shared experience of helping each other stay safe and discovering something new together.

💡 Your Trail Guide: Helpful Hints

♦️ Parking: The trailhead is at the Mill B South Fork Trailhead, at the big "S" curve in Big Cottonwood Canyon. The lot fills up extremely fast. Arrive very early, especially if backpacking.
♦️ 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 prime spots.
♦️ Watershed Rules: This is a protected watershed. Absolutely NO DOGS are allowed on the trail, and NO SWIMMING is permitted in the lakes.
♦️ Know the Trail: Remember the tricky switchback at the boulder field! When the main trail seems to end at a wall of rocks, look for the path that cuts back sharply to your right to continue the climb.

🔎 VR Video Treasure Hunt!

When you watch the immersive 360° video of our backpacking trip, see if you can find these special moments!
Sundial's Sunset Glow: Find the moment when the setting sun lights up Sundial Peak in a beautiful, warm alpenglow.
A Moose in the Morning: Can you spot one of our moose companions enjoying an early morning snack near the lake?
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 waterfall that flows between Lake Blanche and Lake Florence.

Older VR Experience at Lake Blanche - Watch for the Lovely Wind Patterns

A Huge Field of Yellow Arrowroot Balsamroot Flowers

Video above is of the section of the trail with all the Yellow Arrowroot Flowers. Just click and it will come up.

Lake Blanche in the Fall

The same trail in the Fall.

You walk across this last path that has a beautiful rock wall constructed on the East side, and then there it is.

LAKE BLANCHE

LAKE FLORENCE IN BOTH SUMMER AND FALL

Panorama of waterfall to Lake Florence.

Lake Florence

Great View here of both lakes. Lake Florence is in the front, and Lake Lilian is behind. If you

are craving seeing a moose, they can often be spotted up here around these 2 lakes.

On the west side of the lake, there is this dam that is constructed out of rock, one rock at a time. If you walk past that dam you get a real treat of a GORGEOUS waterfall flowing out of Lake Blanch into Lake Florence.

WATERFALL FROM LAKE BLANCHE TO LAKE FLORENCE