Highlights: A low-elevation, mountain lake with good fishing accessible by a shortwell-maintained trail.
Location: 35 miles north of Libby in the Purcell Mountains.
Type of hike: Out-and-back or loop day hike.
Total distance: 1-mile out-and-back or 2.8-mile loop.
Difficulty: Easy.
Best months: Late May through October.
Maps: Bonnet Top USGS Quad and Kootenai National Forest Map.
Finding the trailhead: Drive west of Libby on U.S. Highway 2 for 29 miles (through Troy) and turn right, heading north on Yaak River Road. After a 29.5-mile drive up Yaak River Road to the town of Yaak, turn right, heading south on South Fork of the Yaak River Road (Forest Road 68) for 4.2 miles, then turn left, heading north on Vinal Lake Road (FR 746). You can also reach Vinal Lake Road by driving north of Libby on South Fork of the Yaak River Road, but it is a dirt road drive in contrast to the paved route to Yaak described above. Drive 7 miles north on Vinal Lake Road and look for Hoskins Lake Trailhead on your right about 2.2 miles past Vinal Creek.
Parking & trailhead facilities: Park on the west side of the road, no water or restroom facilities.
Key points 0.5 Hoskins Lake 1.2 Trail 51 1.5
Type of hike: Out-and-back or loop day hike.
Total distance: 1-mile out-and-back or 2.8-mile loop.
Difficulty: Easy.
Best months: Late May through October.
Maps: Bonnet Top USGS Quad and Kootenai National Forest Map.
Finding the trailhead: Drive west of Libby on U.S. Highway 2 for 29 miles (through Troy) and turn right, heading north on Yaak River Road. After a 29.5-mile drive up Yaak River Road to the town of Yaak, turn right, heading south on South Fork of the Yaak River Road (Forest Road 68) for 4.2 miles, then turn left, heading north on Vinal Lake Road (FR 746). You can also reach Vinal Lake Road by driving north of Libby on South Fork of the Yaak River Road, but it is a dirt road drive in contrast to the paved route to Yaak described above. Drive 7 miles north on Vinal Lake Road and look for Hoskins Lake Trailhead on your right about 2.2 miles past Vinal Creek.
Parking & trailhead facilities: Park on the west side of the road, no water or restroom facilities.
Key points 0.5 Hoskins Lake 1.2 Trail 51 1.5
Vinal Lake RoadThe hike: Vigorous hikers probably will not consider this a "hike," as it is less than half a mile to Hoskins Lake. However, for small children or less experienced hikers, it is perfect for an enjoyable day hike. You can reach the lake in only ten minutes if you do not stop to smell the wildflowers.
There is plenty of water along the well-maintained trail. There are no steep hills or hazards, and the chance of encountering bears is slim. Mosquitoes can take some of the fun out of this hike in the early summer; it is best to wait until late summer or fall to see Hoskins Lake.
There are actually two lakes-a larger lower lake with nice-sized cutthroat trout and a small, marshy, upper lake. Because of the good fishing, the lower lake is more heavily used-but not overused-mostly by local hikers. The upper lake is less visited.
A western larch forest with some very large trees surrounds the lakes. Here you have a good chance of seeing deer or moose in the marshy meadow. Grouse are common, and if you are lucky, you might spot an osprey or common loon near the lower lake. Some of the more common wildflowers include wake robin, shooting star, wild rose, Pacific trillium, queen cup, and rock clematis.
A few hikers continue north past the lakes and go down Bunker Hill Creek. Simply follow this trail past the upper lake and stay with it for about a mile until it joins Trail 51 up Bunker Hill Creek. Then turn left, heading for Vinal Lake Road. This makes a loop, since you come back to Vinal Lake Road about 1.2 miles north of Hoskins Lake Trailhead. However, it is easier and more common to hike back to your vehicle the way you came.
There is plenty of water along the well-maintained trail. There are no steep hills or hazards, and the chance of encountering bears is slim. Mosquitoes can take some of the fun out of this hike in the early summer; it is best to wait until late summer or fall to see Hoskins Lake.
There are actually two lakes-a larger lower lake with nice-sized cutthroat trout and a small, marshy, upper lake. Because of the good fishing, the lower lake is more heavily used-but not overused-mostly by local hikers. The upper lake is less visited.
A western larch forest with some very large trees surrounds the lakes. Here you have a good chance of seeing deer or moose in the marshy meadow. Grouse are common, and if you are lucky, you might spot an osprey or common loon near the lower lake. Some of the more common wildflowers include wake robin, shooting star, wild rose, Pacific trillium, queen cup, and rock clematis.
A few hikers continue north past the lakes and go down Bunker Hill Creek. Simply follow this trail past the upper lake and stay with it for about a mile until it joins Trail 51 up Bunker Hill Creek. Then turn left, heading for Vinal Lake Road. This makes a loop, since you come back to Vinal Lake Road about 1.2 miles north of Hoskins Lake Trailhead. However, it is easier and more common to hike back to your vehicle the way you came.
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