Crazy Hiker Chick: 2013-09-08

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Desolation Lake

Aaaaahhhhh! Love hiking mountains in the fall! The temperatures are cooler, mountain air is crisp, leaves begin to change into vibrant colors of orange, red and yellow. Love it! Love it! Love it! This weeks hiking destination was Desolation Lake. The trail begins at the Mill D North Fork trailhead about 9 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon. Desolation Lake is a good sized mountain lake set in a crater-like bowl which was formed by a glacier a very, very long time ago. The size of the lake depends on the amount of snow we get in the winter. More snow, bigger lake. The distance to Desolation Lake from the trailhead is 3.7

miles with an elevation gain of 1,960 feet. Also be prepared to share the trail with mountain bikers coming down from Guardsman Pass along the "spine". At 1.8 miles from trailhead you will come to a junction with Dog Lake 0.6 miles to the left and Desolation Lake 1.9 miles to the right. The trail is fairly steep from the junction for about half a mile but then becomes a more gradual up. The lake sets at 9,220 feet elevation. The trail will pass through open meadows, lovely aspen groves (just beginning to change color) and beautiful evergreen pine. I always like to take the time to walk around the mountain lakes if possible - take in the view from all directions. Here is some of what we saw along the way!