Hard Creek Lake is located in the Payette National Forest, north of the Brundage ski area and Goose Lake. The trailhead is located about 25 miles from McCall, near the Hard Creek Guard Station. The Hard Creek trailhead is located just around the corner from a more popular trailhead used to access Grassy Twin Lakes and Lake Serene. Hard Creek Lake is a good day hike destination, and actually makes a nice 6 mile lollipop loop hike if you combine it with nearby Hidden Lake It is also a nice short overnight backpacking destination. But wear lots of sunscreen though, since much of this area has been burned during wildfires over the years.

My sons and I made the 3+ hour drive from Boise after church on Sunday, and arrived at the trailhead at around 5pm. At this point in the evening, there were no other vehicles at the trailhead, so it looked like we would have the area to ourselves.

The trail is very flat for the first mile, as it traverses along the sunny west-facing hillside. There were still plenty of wildflowers blooming, even in August. And we had great views with the valley below and the granite covered mountains above. After a mile, we reached a fork in the trail, and opted for the direct route to Hard Creek Lake, where we arrived in another three-quarters of a mile and 500’ of elevation gain. It was just under two miles to the lake using this route.

The lake looked really neat from the outlet stream on the west side, and we hung out there for a while checking out the views and listening to our echo’s. Next we hiked around the lake and set up camp near the inlet stream on the far side. (In hindsight, the better campsite would have been on the west end of the lake.) After some quesadillas for dinner, and checking out the views for a while, it was time to hit the sack.

In the morning, we were awakened by the sounds of some elk snorting and barking. In the dim morning light, I was able to spot five up on the hillside above our tent. We tried to go back to sleep, but soon enough it was time to eat breakfast and then break camp.

For the hike back to the car, we opted to bypass the trail, and head cross-country up and over “Hard Creek Peak” (Peak 8039’). The boys did great going up the ridge, and left me huffing and puffing to keep up while carrying the big expedition pack with most of our gear. The summit wasn’t very exciting, but it did mean that it was “all down-hill from hear”, which the boys appreciated. All that was left was some light bushwhacking through grassy meadows, and we were back to the car by noon.

Map of the route, 5 miles and 1100' elevation gain round trip. (Only 4 miles and 500' gain for just the lake.)	Leaving the trailhead.	Great views while traversing across the hillside.	Quick stop for a bouldering problem.	Getting rocky.
Still plenty of wildflowers.	Hard Creek Lake from the west.	Hiking around the lake.	Setting up the tent.	Enjoying our campsite.
Sun going down behind Hard Creek Lake.	Reflection in the creek.	Night scene at Hard Creek Lake.	Making our way up Hard Creek Peak.	Looking back at the lake.
Harry Woodpecker.	Nearing the broad summit of Hard Creek Peak.	Group shot on the summit.	Hiking down through the Lupine.	Typical terrain on the way back down to the trailhead.