Lake Augusta

Climb through lingering burns and open forest along dusty trail to reach a splendid alpine lake filling a glacial cirque at the head of Cabin Creek. Lake Augusta’s shores of meadow, wildflower and talus are more than enough to draw hikers up the valley to wander the parklands and sweeping slopes of Big Jim Mountain rising above the water.

Begin along the Hatchery Creek Trail #1577, leaving the logging road and passing through a stand of second growth timber before breaking into open country on slopes scoured clean by 2014 wildfires. Cross into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness at 0.7 miles. Settle in for the long climb up to the cliffs above Hatchery Creek. Continue your march through burnlands to the 2.9-mile mark and the junction with the Badlands Trail #1576. Keep left and continue to press onward.

The ups and downs continue and eventually the greenery increases as you exit the burn and rejoin the forest and begin a short ascent up a ridge. At 5.7 miles, attain the ridgetop and reach the junction with the Icicle Ridge Trail #1570. Join the trail, turning right and dropping down into the meadow-filled Cabin Creek Valley, soon trading the shade of the trees for open alpine country. One final push leads to the edge of the lake and the lake outlet, 7.4 miles from the trailhead.

Campsites away from the shore are easily found. Follow the bootpaths and budget time to linger at the lakeside.

There's a lot more to Lake Augusta, and you can learn all about it in Alpine Lakes Wilderness: The Complete Hiking Guide. You'll find a trail map, route descriptions, history, and more for this and many other hikes throughout the State. Help support hikingwithmybrother.com and the work we do by picking up a copy!