Hook Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hook Lake |
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 Hook Lake
Location in Idaho
Hook Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Custer County, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 44°06′17″N 114°36′27″W / 44.104628°N 114.607614°W |
| Lake type | Glacial |
| Primary outflows | Big Boulder Creek to East Fork Salmon River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 150 m (490 ft) |
| Max. width | 70 m (230 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 3,025 m (9,925 ft) |
Hook Lake is a beautiful alpine lake located in Custer County, Idaho, United States. It sits high up in the amazing White Cloud Mountains, which are part of the larger Sawtooth National Recreation Area. This area is known for its stunning natural beauty and outdoor adventures.
Hook Lake is a special kind of lake called a glacial lake. This means it was formed a very long time ago by huge sheets of ice, called glaciers, moving across the land. As the glaciers moved, they carved out deep hollows in the ground. When the ice melted, these hollows filled with water, creating lakes like Hook Lake.
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Exploring Hook Lake
Hook Lake is a bit of a hidden gem because there are no official trails that lead directly to its shores. This makes it a quiet and peaceful spot for those who manage to find it. The easiest way to get close to the lake is by using Sawtooth National Forest trail 601. From there, you would need to hike off-trail to reach the lake itself.
Where is Hook Lake Located?
Hook Lake is found in a part of the White Cloud Mountains called the Big Boulder Lakes Basin. This basin is home to several other cool lakes. If you were looking at a map, you would find Hook Lake just east of a mountain peak called D. O. Lee Peak.
Other lakes in the Big Boulder Lakes Basin include:
These lakes are all close to each other and share the same stunning mountain environment.
What is an Alpine Lake?
An alpine lake is a lake found at a very high elevation, usually in the mountains. These lakes are often fed by melting snow and glaciers. Because they are so high up, alpine lakes like Hook Lake often have very clear, cold water. They are also usually surrounded by rocky peaks and alpine meadows, which are open areas above the tree line.
The Sawtooth National Recreation Area
Hook Lake is part of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA). This is a huge protected area in central Idaho, covering over 756,000 acres. It was created in 1972 to protect the natural beauty and wildlife of the Sawtooth and White Cloud Mountains.
The SNRA is a popular place for many outdoor activities, including:
- Hiking and backpacking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Wildlife watching
It's a great place to explore and connect with nature. The area is home to many different animals, including deer, elk, and various birds. The plants also change as you go up in elevation, from forests at lower levels to tough alpine plants near the peaks.
