Desolation Lake via Mill D

Mill D North Trailhead
4.6
7 Reviews
Desolation Lake via Mill D
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Details

Distance
7.56 miles
Elevation Gain
2024 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back

Features

Wildflowers
Family Friendly
Lake
Forest
Bathrooms
Easy Parking
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About this place

Added by McKenzie Roers

Desolation Lake in Big Cottonwood Canyon offers a quiet destination with wildlife sightings from the trail and Wasatch wildflower fields during summer months.

Drive 9 miles into Big Cottonwood Canyon and park at the Mill D North Trailhead (on the left). On the right side of the road, there is a restroom. The trial head begins on the left, there is a visible sign you cannot miss before beginning.

The trail is about 7.4 miles round trip, about half way through the trail you will come to a fork with a sign (Dog Lake .6 miles, Desolation Lake 1.9 miles). The Desolation Lake trail winds on until you reach the lake. You will climb around 1900 feet in elevation; the trail is a steady uphill climb but nothing too drastic as you can mountain bike up it.

Camping is allowed, dogs are not. Swimming is also prohibited. There are trails that go beyond the lake so you can walk to the ridge line or hang out by the lake. There are trees for hammocking as well!

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Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and be sure to follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly.
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Dawn Rohde
10/24/2022
Long
This is a long trail, but it's worth it. Just pack and plan accordingly. It goes along the same trail to dog lake if ...
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Cole Foard
8/25/2017
BCC Delivers again
Very cool hike with a great lake at the top. Make sure to stop for spring water across the stream on the way up.
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Michelle Olmstead
7/24/2017
Another Great Hike in the Wasatch!
This is a beautiful hike through aspen forests and beautiful meadows, ending in a secluded and peaceful lake. The grade is moderate here, ...
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Jackson Smith
1/12/2017
My Go-To for Trail Running
The Mill D North trail to Desolation Lake is one of my favorite trails for trail running in the Wasatch. It has a couple ...
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DJ Williams
8/6/2016
Hammock Overnighter
We did this hike on August 5, 2016 and it was great. We got a late start due to some thunderstorms in Big Cottonwood ...
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Hannah Weaver
7/16/2016
Lots of Bugs
This was a super fun hike! When we went though, there were tons of bugs, so make sure to bring bug spray!
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Nick Wrzesinski
5/25/2016
One Of My Favorite Hikes In BCC
I've hiked this in every season and it's one of my favorites. Make sure to bring spikes or snow shoes in the winter, ...
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