Hub Lake and Hazel Lake is a 7.2 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near De Borgia, Montana that features a waterfall and is rated as difficult. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from June until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
You wander through giant old cedar forest, along a rushing rocky trout stream with a super waterfall just before you start the uphill switchbacks on fairly open mountainside. You may hit snow on top in the last week of June about where the log "bridge" crosses the creek. The vistas on the hike and upon reaching the lake are wonderful with high granite bluffs, snow cornice tops, crystal clear water. Overall an awesome hike.
Take exit 26 near Deborgia, MT. This is a tricky exit so be prepared when nearing it. Go 6.5 on up 886 to the trail head 262, just before the bridge. From here, take Trail 262 to Trail 280.
Trail is a great workout. We went up trail 262 at the split and it was steep. It ends on a forest road and we didn't know if we could get anywhere cool from there so we hiked back to the junction and continued up to Hub Lake. The lake is beautiful. We never passed another hiker.
It is marked hard for a reason! a beautiful trail with views the entire way from the cedars at the bottom to the waterfall just a short way in, you won't be disappointed! There are also Huckleberries most of the way! Do know you have to cross water a couple times but it isn't much!
I gave this trail of four because it has two lakes in one hike. The reason it did not get a five though, is because of all the hikers we saw. On the way down, we passed at least five or six different groups of hikers. Also, there were a couple of dogs off leash we had to ask to be leased so they wouldn't charge our dogs. The lake itself is beautiful, but we did not go down to the first lake because it's very steep and there's really no place to walk around. There was one area about a mile shy of the second lake where we had to wade through the water. I'm not sure why it says it's got a 2,800 elevation gain, as my Fitbit only registered about 2,100. There were huckleberries in several sections, which made it fun to pick as we hiked. When you pull off the highway, it is tricky because the exit is on a blind corner. Be watching for the exit number so you're prepared for that. Also, once you get off the highway and start down the main road, it is numbered incorrectly. However, if you go approximately six to six and a half miles back from the highway you will find the trailhead. At about 1.3 mi in, there are some beautiful waterfalls. There was also water for the dogs to drink along the way, and lots of shade. There is some sun, so I would suggest you go early.
We hit this trail on a beautiful day. 1-2 miles or so it’s nicely shaded through thick forest with a nice gradual uphill elevation gain. Taking the trail down the first lake is definitely worth it. Once you get to the second lake (Hazel I believe?), there isn’t much shade. The last mile is quite steep but has the best views. The peak itself isn’t very exciting but the lead up to it makes it worth it. We stopped on the way down for lunch next to a stream and we even took a dip in the lake. Highly recommend this trail! Tip for the campers out there, we camped just around the corner of this trailhead on 889. Great free spot close to the creek with very few bugs!
I love this trail, there’s a reason I have to do this trip at least once a year! This trail offers so many different things to do - frog hunting in the first lake, exploring the abandoned mineshaft above the second lake, and a little known fact, if you keep going up past the second lake, there’s even a third! I just got home from a two day backpacking trip, and let me just say, this trail never ceases to disappoint! It’s great for a day hike, or backpacking, whatever you may desire! One problem I do find with this hike is the mosquitos, for some reason they just love giving people kisses, so make sure to bring lots of bug spray. While i was up there, i ran out of spray, so around 7ish at night you either need to get a smokey fire goin to ward them away or take refuge in your tent for the night! Other than that, i would definitely recommend this trail to anyone!
Great trip through old growth cedars to start . Heavily wooded with tall trees and a very strong river off to the aide of the-trail. No real bugs to begin. Climb starts around 1.0 mi +. If with dogs there are several areas where streams cross- no need to pack water. Peekaboo Mountain view to the right while traveling through the woods a few water falls in the river along the way. Toward the top your reach an open creek crossing the has a down log as a crossing( may not be doable for a dogs but you can wade through) after which elevation accent more gradual -opens up top to wooded view of Hazel lake with steep embankment.. some camping but did not view. Walk along side lake moving side of the mountain to more steep hiking through a muddied area and a another river crossing. You will get wet or muddy here.- minimal tree bridge in the water. Back up a hill again to arrive at wooded end of the Hub Lake. Mosquitos are now biting.. Reach hub lake with 10+ camping spots. Very soggy behind lake because there is lots of water runoff from the rock. There were a-lot more mosquitos then we had read about- be prepared. Climb back side at waterfall and see the mine. Continue up a steep almost scramble 500’ to overlook of Hub area. All in all beautiful views. Beautiful forest and very serene. Easy road to trail head although long. Have fun!
This was a nice spot. The trail was easy to follow except for one area near the creek between the lakes where there was still some snow. The creek was high and swift. It took us a little time to figure out how to cross it without getting wet. We were fortunate to have Hub Lake completely to ourselves. It's beautiful with waterfalls above, high walls, and a little mine above. We did not have a problem with bugs. Only saw two other hikers as we were leaving, but it was during the middle of the week.
This is a beautiful trail that runs along a creek with lots of falls. We were unable to make it to the lakes. The snow was too heavy to find the last last half mile of the trail. Our feet were falling through the snow at some points with a creek underneath while trying to trek the last little stretch. Would not recommend trying this entire route until at least late June.
We did an overnight backpack on 9/21/19 and definitely in my top five hikes of all time. The trail is steep in places and short so I would consider the hike on the moderate side of hard. The huge cedar trees and waterfalls were spectacular. At Hazel Lake, there was four nice campsites and we had the lake to ourselves. We located a mine above Hazel Lake which I believe is the Aladdin Gold Mine. We went into the mine about 100 ft which I would not recommend.