Lakes of the Great Burn
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Hub Lake

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Difficulty: Classic
Distance: 3.75 miles
Trailhead Elevation: 4015 feet; Trailhead Lat/Long: 47°17'12.16"N / 115°20'19.52"W
Lake Elevation: 5715 feet; Lake Lat/Long: 47°16'30.95"N / 115°22'29.13"W

Hub Lake 2024

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Hub Lake Topo

Getting There: Take the Ward Creek Road (#889) exit off I-90. The exit is only accessible from the East bound lanes and sits right on a sharp corner, if not paying attention you could miss it. Drive approximately 6 miles to a switchback and bridge across Ward Creek where there is a sign for the trailhead and ample parking. Hub Lake 2022 Stay on the main road, you will pass the road that leads to Up Up Lookout at mile 3. The lookout is rentable, but not recommended for small children for safety reasons.

Trail (#262) starts out meandering through the bottoms and some cedar groves. The trail climbs moderately and after a mile or so you will get to a nice set of waterfalls that are far below the trail. It is a very steep climb down to them but worth it.

The trail splits shortly after falls with trail #262 turning left steeply up the hill and back towards the state line; there is (was) a sign at the intersection. This is not a shortcut to Hazel Lake, nor does it go to Square Lake. Rather it ends up on the state line road (#391) about 1/4 mile from the Square Lake trailhead. You can see portions of it along the hillside across the valley if you look closely.

Hub Lake 2022 Continue straight on trail #280 that heads back along the hillside to a couple of switchbacks before the trail lines out for Hazel Lake. The trail has plenty of water for your dog, so no need to take extra. Hazel Lake is about 3 miles from the trailhead.

Hub Lake 2022 From Hazel Lake continue up the main trail. It is less than a mile up to Hub Lake with an elevation gain of less than 400 feet. The trail takes a sharp dip for a couple hundred yards to cross the Hub Lake outlet creek and then immediately goes back up and then quickly arrives at the lake.

At the Lake: There are several well-established campsites at both the outlet and on the other side of the lake. Much like Hazel Lake but I think it is worse, the couple times I have been to the lake it has always been rather buggy. Fishing can be good at times. There is an old mine above the lake that a lot of people hike to.

Bonus Route: Alternatively, you can reach Hub and Hazel Lakes by starting at the Ward Peak Trailhead (trail #250) on the state line road (#391) and dropping down from the saddle between Ward and Eagle Peak.

The trail is good, but I would consider this the more difficult approach as the way out is a steep dry climb up to the low saddle between Ward and Eagle Peaks and then continuing up around Ward Peak until you drop back down to the trailhead back to your vehicle.

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Hub Lake from Eagle Peak 2020
Hub Lake from Eagle Peak 2020
Hub Lake 2024
Hub Lake 2024
Hub Lake 2024
High Above Hub Lake 2024
Hub Lake 2021
Hub Lake 2021
Hub Lake 2024
Hub Lake 2024
Hub Lake 2024
Hub Lake 2024
Hub Lake 2024
Hub Lake 2024
Hub Lake 2024
Hub Lake 2024
Hub Lake 2024
Hub Lake Below Eagle Peak
Hub Lake 2022
Hub Lake 2022
Hub Lake 2024 Mine
Old Mine Opening Above Hub Lake
Hub Lake From Mary Lake
Hub Lake From Mary Lake