Date hiked: June 28, 2020
Location: Sonora Pass, Sierra Nevada, California
Distance: 4 miles out & back
Elevation gain: 1,300 feet
Trailhead elevation: 8,770 feet
Top elevation: 10,050 feet
Difficulty: Moderate-strenuous
This was the first hike that I did in the Sonora Pass area, and it was certainly one to remember. The hike to Blue Canyon Lake isn't on an official trail, but the route isn't too hard to find. There is no obvious trailhead for this hike. Parking was available on the side of the road near the 9,000 ft elevation signpost. There was a stream crossing at the very beginning of the hike, and there were a few more stream crossings later on in the hike. Throughout the hike were stunning views of the nearby mountains and the creek cascading beside the trail. There were a few steep sections that required a bit of scrambling over loose scree. Eventually, I arrived at Blue Canyon Lake, a glacial tarn at 10,000 feet elevation. The lake was beautiful and tranquil, and I stayed there for a while before heading back.