Hyatt Lake Winter Trails

The Hyatt Lake Campground in the winter becomes a great, 1 mile, show-shoeing trail. And the road around the east side of the lake is closed to cars and is over 3 miles of mixed use. Great for snow shoeing, x-country skiing, and dogs, but also some snow mobiles.

Driving 

– It’s a 40 minute drive from Ashland. About 20 miles. Start off toward Emigrant Lake heading south on Siskiyou toward SOU. Take Ashland Street left toward Interstate 5, cross the freeway, sweep 90 degrees to the right and you are now on Green Springs Highway. Pass Emigrant Lake on your left and head all the way up – past the Soda Mountain road intersection – up to the Green Springs Inn.

Turn left on E Hyatt Lake Road and in 4 miles, before you see the lake, you’ll see the right turn to the campground. Turn and head downhill.  If you reach Hyatt Lake “resort” on your left and can see the lake to your right, you’ve gone too far.

Parking

– Drive right past the toll booth like you own the place cause the park rangers are off for the season and you can park to your left in front of the restrooms. There are 5 spots, maybe more, maybe less depending upon the plowing. I’m not 100% on this, but I don’t think you need your Sno-Pass. (But c’mon. You should always have one. It’s good karma to give the state a couple bucks for maintenance)

The Adventure

-From the parking area, downhill to your left is Camping Area ‘C’.  that’s maybe a mile out and back. Ends up at the boat ramp and the shelter. Great for a short snowshoeing hike.  You can jump off trail and just stroll along the lake.

The road straight away from the parking area extends for over 3 miles around the lake until it reaches the road again. It’s the same road you would drive on in the summer, so it’s wide and gentle.

This is a multi-use trail and that may contribute to it’s light use. The occasional snow mobile might turn some people off, but it’s a great x-country ski trail for beginners like me, and snowshoes, and dogs.

Remember your winter safety rules – chains for the car, sunscreen, layers, sunglasses, water, snacks, check the weather… It’s not Mt. Everest, but you can still become a popsicle if you are a knucklehead.