Extreme Fall Colors on Lake Blanche Hike

I kept hearing what a beautiful hike Lake Blanche is. Trent and I decided to try it one evening. We started a bit late but most hikes have only been 1-2 hours so we thought we should definitely be home by 8 or 8:30. As we get up about 30 min into the hike, we ask a guy coming down how much further to the Lake and he says it took him 3 hours to get there. If a single guy, without a baby carrier or wife who takes frequent picture breaks, can't get there any faster than 3 hours, no way would we make it before the sun set. We turned home and planned to go on a Saturday morning before B's nap to give us time and warmth.
So on Saturday morning on Sept 27th, we packed up a hikers meal and snacks-sandwiches, banana, oranges, nuts, and a few power bars, along with lots of water (which we still ran out of shortly after getting to the top)-and got in the car. This time we were ready. It took us 3 1/2 hours to get to the top with only one stop for oranges, Brenden falling asleep with about 45 min to go, and me stopping for lots of picture moments with so many leaves turning every imaginable fall color. We must have picked the perfect weekend for the coolness and colors. I really liked that hike and Trent and I would do it again, but not with a baby. Too long for him and Trent's shoulders were really hurting after about 4 1/2 hours of a baby in a carrier. Certainly worth the time and effort...as pictures give a slight glimpse of what one of the best hikes in Utah looks like. Much better in person.

Black dot on bottom of trail=where we start
Little ity bity blue stretch near top=where we end
Forget "2.8" miles. That thing was a steep 3!!!

Brenden tries out some of the grass like he saw his Dad doing.
Trent about to 'tickle' Brenden with the leaves/branch.
So far...so good.
some red finally coming out.
Trent and I really like when the trail is so narrow and covered with all that foliage that you almost can't see where it is.
Our car is parked behind where the two mountains meet just above Trent's head.
We thought we were almost there just beyond these yellow trees. Nope, there is about 45 min of switchbacks to get completely to the top of the left mountain and then cross two rock slides, continue across the left mountain till it meets with the one on the right and the lake sits up top in a meadow where the two mtns meet.
Bushes were big and in one step you pass green, yellow, orange and red. Awesome.
This was in the middle of the switchbacks, before the 1st rock slide. He had done so good and just couldn't quite stay awake any longer. Luckily, the carrier is well padded so he could lay his head back or forward. Guess the hike swayed him to sleep.




B still asleep.
It gets so high you can see Salt Lake Valley over the top of the other mountain.
1st rockslide. Didn't have to cross the whole thing. Just from the bottom up a bit.
I promise, it's much better in person.



The final stretch...
Top looking down...just can't see the bottom of the mountain, but can see SL valley on the left again.
Lake Blanche!! Our legs and Trent's shoulder muscles were screaming at this point. I kinda wanted to just sit right here and eat, but we decided to go to the other side of the lake to eat.


If I let go, he goes in the water. Had to weigh my options-let B go and do what he wants and deal with a wet and uncomfortable ride back down the mountain or keep a hold on the little man. Option B won.
Couldn't spend too much time at the Lake cause B still needed a full nap, which he did not end up taking.


Back across 2nd rock slide.

View of other mountain

And back to civilization.... it was a nice break.