Directions: park at the S curve on the road up Big Cottonwood Canyon/trailhead is here (about 4.5 miles up the canyon)
Duration: 2.5 hours - or about 3 if hiking with smaller hikers - or if you are really sick thinking you have allergies and don't want to admit it that you are - really sick - and have to stop a lot.
Distance: about 2 3/4
Difficulty: Medium if you are in reasonably good shape.
It is mostly uphill with a little climbing over rocks toward the top. Lots of people had hiking sticks and it would be a good idea if you have knee issues as there is a lot of uphill on the way up and amazingly enough.. lots of downhill on the way down.
Tips: we took lots of water and drank it all. It was July and freakishly hot...even in the mountains (aorund 100 the day we did the hike) We took a water purifier and were really glad to have it. Take a nice picnic, its a beautiful place to lunch.
While going up I thought... I will never do this again. But after seeing how amazingly beautiful it was ...I probably will. Just not when I am sick!
Definitely want to bring your camera. Bug spray is a good idea since there are some mosquitoes just before the lake (don't remember being bugged by any while at the lake though. Lots of flies during the summer - which was a blessing (kept us moving) and a curse (annoying).
The extra distance to Lake Lilly and Florence just beyond was well woth it and even though you are probably going to be tired, take a breather and press on. Sundial peak is wonderfully beautiful, the other lakes are also amazing, peaceful and picturesque. there is a great waterfall between Blanche and Lilly and lots of places to relax and enjoy the day.
When I do it again I am going earlier in the day and spend a little more time up there.
It is mostly uphill with a little climbing over rocks toward the top. Lots of people had hiking sticks and it would be a good idea if you have knee issues as there is a lot of uphill on the way up and amazingly enough.. lots of downhill on the way down.
Tips: we took lots of water and drank it all. It was July and freakishly hot...even in the mountains (aorund 100 the day we did the hike) We took a water purifier and were really glad to have it. Take a nice picnic, its a beautiful place to lunch.
While going up I thought... I will never do this again. But after seeing how amazingly beautiful it was ...I probably will. Just not when I am sick!
Definitely want to bring your camera. Bug spray is a good idea since there are some mosquitoes just before the lake (don't remember being bugged by any while at the lake though. Lots of flies during the summer - which was a blessing (kept us moving) and a curse (annoying).
The extra distance to Lake Lilly and Florence just beyond was well woth it and even though you are probably going to be tired, take a breather and press on. Sundial peak is wonderfully beautiful, the other lakes are also amazing, peaceful and picturesque. there is a great waterfall between Blanche and Lilly and lots of places to relax and enjoy the day.
When I do it again I am going earlier in the day and spend a little more time up there.
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