Dog Lake and Desolation Lake in Wasatch-Cache National Forest, UT

Hike Dog Lake and Desolation Lake Wasatch-Cache National Forest, UT

Class 1 8.6 miles 2100 gain 3-5 hrs Out + Back Aug 1, 2018
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Dog Lake and Desolation Lake GPX Track

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Looking for a bit of an easier hike today, I planned a hike to check out some of the lakes within Big Cottonwood Canyon. I started along Mill D North Fork Trail and took a left at a junction, leading to Dog Lake. Dog Lake is nice, but Lake Desolation is the highlight. To get there, I took the Desolation Trail leading from Dog Lake to Desolation Lake roughly along the 8800 foot contour. This section had some really nice views along the way, the best of the hike for sure.  The hike then ascends a few hundred feet to reach Lake Desolation. I backtracked and took the Mill D North Fork Cutoff Trail to get back to the Mill D North Fork Trail, and returned to my car.

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Starting from the Mill D North Fork Trailhead.
Starting from the Mill D North Fork Trailhead.
Kessler Peak on the right, across Big Cottonwood Canyon.
Kessler Peak on the right, across Big Cottonwood Canyon.
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Looking back toward Kessler.
Looking back toward Kessler.
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Continuing along Mill D North Fork Trail.
Continuing along Mill D North Fork Trail.
Junction. Left goes to Dog Lake, right goes to Desolation Lake. I recommend going left first so you get the nice views from Dog Lake to Desolation Lake.
Junction. Left goes to Dog Lake, right goes to Desolation Lake. I recommend going left first so you get the nice views from Dog Lake to Desolation Lake.
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Dog Lake.
Dog Lake.
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Higher route from Dog Lake to Desolation Lake.
Higher route from Dog Lake to Desolation Lake.
Views along the higher trail from Dog Lake to Desolation Lake.
Views along the higher trail from Dog Lake to Desolation Lake.
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Joined with the cutoff trail from Dog Lake to Desolation Lake (if you had just gone right at the junction earlier).
Joined with the cutoff trail from Dog Lake to Desolation Lake (if you had just gone right at the junction earlier).
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Desolation Lake.
Desolation Lake.
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Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!