I hiked up Sundial Peak via the Lake Blanche Trail three weekends ago, and it honestly lived up to the hype. The first few miles were a steady climb through aspens and Douglas fir, with the sound of the creek following us most of the way. I started late on a Saturday so the trail was packed with other day-hikers which meant lots of breaks waiting for the steady stream of hikers coming down. Once I reached Lake Blanche, the view opened up dramatically — I was surrounded by granite peaks and that mirror-still water. Definitely one of my personal highlights!

The final scramble up Sundial is where things got interesting. At this point I was a little gassed and cramping in my thighs from all the boulder hopping. The scramble is short but steep, with a few sections that definitely make you slow down and plan your moves. This section is class 3 so if exposure scares you this might not be for you. When I got to the top I just let out a holler because I was so excited to have pushed through. The panoramic views of the valley were so picturesque. I signed the logbook then quickly headed down as it was now 6pm.

One of my favorite things about this hike was how quickly you transition from forest to alpine terrain. It really feels like three hikes in one.

If you’re thinking about doing it soon, I’d recommend starting early (trail gets crowded fast) and bringing plenty of water — there’s very little shade after the first couple miles.

Would love to hear if anyone else has tackled Sundial or has favorite trails in the Wasatch!

Hiking Sundial Peak — reflections from one of the most scenic ridgelines in the Wasatch