Lake Blanche

 Lake Blanche 

It is fairly easy to find the trail head.  There are lots of descriptions online of how to get there but i just searched for "Lake Blanche" in Google maps on my phone and it led me right to the parking lot.  Form the parking lot you follow a paved oath along the river and you see the trail head marker on the right.

Once you start on the path it is almost a straight shot to the lake.  As you can see in the picture the hike is only 2.8 miles but with the elevation gain of 2700+ feet, it is a long 2.8 miles. Moving at a quick pace with a few short breaks it took me 1.5 hours to reach the lake.







Although much of the trail is bordered by shrubs and trees there are still some great views looking back down the canyon.  The trial is well maintained but there are still some spots where the trail is crowded over by bushes on the sides.  The trail also had a lot of insect activity. (bring insect repellent especially for when you reach the lakes)








The trail also has a lot of wildflowers.  I did the hike in late July and there is likely to be even more earlier in the year. There was also a lot of wildlife along the trail. I was there early in the morning and that my have been why.

 

The elevation gain is steady and there are only a few level parts of the trail.  Make sure to bring plenty of water for the hike. Just before arriving at the lake you will go through an area that has the names of past visitors from just months ago to a hundred years ago.  The destination is just over the ridge from this point.  My suggestion is to go early.  I left the parking lot at 5:45 and I had the whole trail and lake to myself.  The only other people I saw were on their way up as I was hiking back down.  The hike back down took me actually more time than the way up.  It is hard on the knees going back down because of the constant and quick elevation drop. Another reason to go early is because the side of the canyon that the trail is on was still in the shade when I hiked back down. I would definitely recommend this hike.  Although it is strenuous, the destination is well worth it.
 

Lake Florence

Lake Florence

Lake Florence

Lake Lillian

Lake Lillian

 

San Rafael Swell Utah Part 3 (Crack Canyon)

San Rafael Swell Utah Part 3 (Crack Canyon)

First off you will want to have an OHV (off highway vehicle) or plan on a lot of extra walking. The last mile or so of road (if you can call it that) is really just an old river bed.  There isn't really too much that is really big but definitely not for cars that have low clearance. There are a few steep parts where 4wd would come in handy as well.  

Once you get to the canyon itself it is quite impressive.  It isn't too narrow at first but as you get into it deeper then you get more of the "slot canyon" feel.  There are a few obstacles that you will have to maneuver in order to continue.  The further you go in the more difficult they get so plan accordingly. 

There were also some sections of the canyon that, depending on the time of year, will have as much as a few feet of water along the bottom.  They can be maneuvered without getting wet but it is tricky.

Bridal Veil Falls - Provo Canyon

****WARNING*****

Do not attempt to make this hike unless:

1.  You are in good physical condition

     2.  You have experience with rock climbing and scrambling

     3.  You have other people with you

     4.  There are good weather conditions

The Falls

Bridal Veil Falls is a highly visited area of the Provo Canyon in Central Utah. It attracts many visitors passing through the canyon and is a great recreational place for locals and tourists alike.  There are many parks in the canyon as well as a well-maintained bike path through the canyon.  There are many activities that you can do while in the canyon.  Some very leisurely and others that will give the thrill seekers a memorable experience.  The Hike to Bridal Veil Falls Restaurant is one of the later.

The restaurant has been abandoned for years.  There used to be a tram that would carry visitors up to the building.  It claimed the title as the worlds steepest tram but an avalanche in 1996 ended its years of operation.  Since then the structure has been abandoned but visited by a few determined hikers.  

There were plans to return the restaurant to working order but in 2008 there was a fire that sealed the fate of the used to be Eagles Nest Lodge.   After the fire the cables for the tram were cut and the hollowed out structure remains.

There is an old maintenance trail that leads from the base of the falls up to the restaurant it is NOT maintained and is a strenuous hike.  

These Images are from before the fire

BEFORE VS AFTER THE FIRE

These images are from after the fire

The Trail

This picture was taken when i was on a black hawk helicopter flying up the canyon.  It shows the trail from a better view.  It was taken years ago and I didn't think to get a shot with the lodge in it but it should help!

This is what the trail will look like while standing at the base of the falls

There are a few steel cables left but it will be a good idea to bring rope.  The rope up there needs replacing yearly due to the heavy snow and ice wearing on it all winter.  You may need one adventurous and experienced person in your group to climb up without rope to hold onto, tie down the rope, and throw it down to the rest of those in the group.

As you can see there are some VERY steep and sheer parts of the trail.

Once you get to the top of the falls it takes a little trail finding skill to find the turn off to head up the side of the mountain.  If you go too far up you will end above the restaurant and it is not easy to get back down.  If you don't go far enough up before turning right then you will find yourself at a dead end.  

(yes I have been in both situations)

Keep an eye out for another thin metal cable heading up the mountain on your right... it might take some time and trial and error depending on the shrub cover. I tried to draw it as accurately as i could on the firs picture of this section.  

Good luck, have fun, and be safe!

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions about the hike leave a comment below

Here is a link to some more pictures on my brothers blog DBOBIKE:

http://dbobike.blogspot.com/2012/08/abandoned-restaurant-atop-bridal-veil.html