Trip Report: Desolation Lake Fall Colors Day Hike


Desolation Lake Fall Colors Day Hike
By Eve Kovacs
HIKE 09/27/2026 MOD-
On this hike, we were expecting to see fall colors in full swing, and indeed, they were nothing short of spectacular. A group of 7 (Kristy, Stephen, Max, Paul, Brannon, Cameron and Eve) started at the Mill D North trailhead, where the maples were already showing their bright red colors and the aspens were starting to turn. The higher and further along the trail we went, the more the aspens turned a bright yellow. As the trail wound its way up through the trees, we were rewarded with views of hillsides covered with dark green evergreens interspersed with pockets of yellow aspen groves and the occasional red maple. After a brief refueling stop at the lake, we ascended the trail to the Wasatch Crest to look down on the Park City side. Three of us made the short ascent to the summit of Desolation Peak while the others continued to take in the views from the Wasatch Crest. The hike back down to the trailhead was equally spectacular. Could the trees possibly have developed more color in the few hours we were on the trail? This hike is very pleasant and a highly recommended option for seeing fall colors.

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