Sundial Peak & Lake Blanche Hike Guide

Sundial Peak & Lake Blanche is a fantastic hike located in Big Cottonwood Canyon just outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. The main hike to Lake Blanche is very popular but straightforward with about 3 miles and 2,500ft of elevation gain. After leaving the popular lake, hikers are mostly off trail before getting to the ridge of Sundial Peak. This scramble is Class 3 on relatively solid rock before reaching the 10,000ft summit. This ridge is one of the best scrambles in all of the Wasatch.

Sundial Peak & Lake Blanche Quick Facts

Hike Rating: Sundial Peak & Lake Blanche ★★★★★ (5/5 Stars)

Virtual Trail Guide: Sundial Peak & Lake Blanche

Distance: 10.26 Miles RT (6 Miles RT to Lake Blanche)

Elevation Start: 6,264ft 

Highest Point: 10,320ft

Total Elevation Gain: 4,300ft (2,500ft of gain to Lake Blanche)

Estimated Time to Complete: 5-7 Hours RT

Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult Difficulty System Explained

Class: Class 3 (Only the final ridge on Sundial Peak) What does this mean?

Season: May – October (expect snow outside of this period)

Weather: Check the Weather Forecast

Directions to Sundial Peak & Lake Blanche

Trailhead: Mill B South 

Getting Here: There are a million ways to get to the TH so its best to just enter in your starting point to the GPS below.

Parking: There is a lot at the TH that can fit 15-20 cars or so with additional parking along the road for another 15-20 cars. The main lot will fill up very easily and street parking is quick to follow, especially on weekends. An early start is recommended for this hike. There is a non plumbing restroom at the TH. 

Fees: None as of 2024

Summary

Camping: Generally speaking, this is not a great spot for camping but if you do want to camp, please follow all Wilderness area guidelines. 

Dogs: Dogs are not allowed anywhere in Big Cottonwood Canyon.

Make it a Loop: This is an out and back hike but in reality there are endless options to extend this hike deeper into Big Cottonwood Canyon and neighboring peaks but it will take some creativity.  

Trail X Factors: Ridge Scramble

If you are used to ridge scrambling, the South Ridge of Sundial Peak is not terribly difficult or long. However, there are still a few higher Class 3 moves and sections of fairly good exposure. I would not recommend this as your first scramble. With any scramble, be sure to test all rock. 

Hike Tip(s): It will be very helpful to have a .gpx line to follow on your smartwatch or phone for the hike up to Sundial Peak. The trail up to Lake Blanche is super obvious and well traveled but after that there is nothing more than traces of a social trail to follow. 

Best Views: The hike up to Lake Blanche is beautiful on its own and the views only get more stunning as you work up to Sundial Peak. For me, the best views were on the ridge of Sundial Peak and then of course from the summit itself. 

Sundial Peak & Lake Blanche Hike Route

Gear Needed

• Men’s Trail Runners
• Women’s Trail Runners
• La Sportiva Trango Hiking Boots (Men’s)
• La Sportiva Trango Hiking Boots (Women’s)
• Backpack (Summer)
• Food & Water
• Helmet: https://amzn.to/3Sv7VEZ 
• Optional: Water Filter
• Optional: Garmin inReach
• Optional: Hiking Poles – 120CM
• Optional: Headlamp
• Optional: Garmin Fenix Watch
• Optional: GoPro, Joby Tripod, Selfie Stick, GoPro 360, Drone, Insta360
• *Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you.

Sundial Peak & Lake Blanche Hike Guide