Lackawaxen Lake

A couple of years ago, while looking at photo contest entries at the Utah State Fair, I asked a man what his favorite hike was, and he said, without hesitation, "Lackawaxen Lake."  I thought I knew all the lakes in the area, but I had never heard of that one.  Needless to say, I had my next hike planned!  This is a beautiful alpine lake tucked away in a seldom-hiked, yet easy-to-get-to area. It is a 3 mile round trip hike, which includes a loop that takes you to Bloods Lake. To look up the geocache, go to www.geocaching.com   and click on "find a geocache" and search for geocaching code GC349PK.   This is a geocache that I placed near the lake.   If you don't know what geocaching is, look at this site.  Geocaching is a fun way to explore areas you would not likely get to otherwise.  I have found over 600 geocaches, and hidden about 30 myself.   To get to this lake, Drive up Big cottonwood Canyon almost to the top, and turn left on Guardsman's Pass.  Go to the very top and park. I parked at N 40* 36.395 W 111* 33.294. At the large ugly white sign that says "ATTENTION" I headed uphill to the right. This takes you to a beautiful ridge hike where you can see several lakes. After reaching a couple of peaks you will get to the bottom of a trail to the largest peak (Clayton Peak, I believe). Instead of going up the peak, take the little trail that branches off to the left. In the bottom of the draw, you will follow an easy trail along a sometimes-exposed 2" pipe. Eventually the trail will bring you to a boulder field maybe 40 yards long, that you will cross. A little farther, and you are at a beautiful alpine lake! When you return, instead of going back up to the peaks trail, keep following the pipeline trail and you will arrive at Bloods Lake and can find "Walk The Plank" Cache at N40* 36.106 W 111*33.033. From there it is less than 1/2 mile back to the parking lot. Round trip hike is 3 miles.