Introduction:

What? :

Hume Lake is a beautiful mountain reservoir in the Sierra Nevada, within Sequoia National Forest in central California, just near the Kings Canyon National Park. It's nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains at an elevation of 5200 feet. The lake is a prime and popular destination for lake related summer activities as swimming and kayaking.

Where? :

Kings Canyon National Park is in the heart of California central Sierra mountains, adjusted north of Sequoia National Park.

It is about six hours to drive from Los Angeles and six hours to drive from San Francisco.

The lake is located about 51 mi (82 km) east of Fresno, high in the Sierra mountains, the elevation of the lake is 1,500 m (5,204.5 ft).

It is accessible from California Route 180, drive pass Kings Canyon Visitor Center and after 6.1 miles driving down road 180 you will see the turn right to Hume Lake.

Drive on Hume Lake Rd for additional 4.5 miles and you will reach the lake.

You can also drive to Hume Lake from General Highway Road connecting Kings Canion to Sequoia National Parks. From the starting point of General Highway drive east for about 3.6 miles until you will see the clear turn to the left (if you are coming from Sequoia National Park this will be to your right). Drive for 9.4 miles down on Ten Mile Rd and you will reach the lake.

Google Map Link

When? :

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National parks are open year-round although not all roads are clear of snow during winter (see below). The best time to visit here is during the summer months, from May to September.

Summer month can introduce hot days even in high elevation. At mid-late summer you can have forest fires and smoke that cover the view during that season.

During the summer month you may start your day with clear blue skies, but weather conditions can change quickly and by midday, you may find yourself in a strong summer storm with wind, rain and thunderstorm.

Lightning activity in the Sierra during summer months is common (can cause forest fire). Thunder clouds buildup seen far off in the distance can be an indicator of incoming lightning activity, you should evaluate your location and if you are in high and expose area you need to seek shelter or lower ground.

Winter months are very cold and stormy, and the area and trails are covered by snow. Tire chains may be required on park roads any time it snows, usually late fall, winter, and through spring.

The recommended and safe enter to the park during winter, when the roads are covered with snow and ice is via highway 180 coming up from Fresno.

Winter roads closer:

· General Highway coming from the south (coming from Visalia, CA) in it steep and narrow switchbacks section can be close.

· Highway 180 road in heading down into Kings Canyon is closed during winter month when deep snow covers the road, usually between Jan to March.

· Crescent Meadow Rd leading to Moro Rock is close during the winter months.

Due note 1:

During the popular summer month do expect to see this popular lake packed with people, this is prime lake destination so you will not find here nature solitude experience.

Due note 2:

There is a gas station, restaurants, as well as many other services in this location.

Due note 3:

Camping at a United States Forest Service campground is available both on the northern shore of the lake and alongside Ten Mile Rd (far from the lake).

Due note 4:

Please note some roads may close due to weather especially in winter and chains can be required at any time.

Due note 5:

Hume Lake is in the National Forest which does allow dogs.

Due note 6:

To reach Hume Lake, you must drive through the entrance station for Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Even though it is on national forest land, the only way to reach it by road is through the parks. This requires an America the Beautiful pass or paying the $35 entrance fee, which is valid for up to seven days.

Due note 7:

To avoid the summer months crowds, visit in late spring or early fall. Hume Lake is accessible year-round, but the campground is only open from roughly mid-May through mid-September.

Due note 8:

There are also many private cabins located on Sequoia National Forest land near Hume Lake. Some owners offer their cabins for rent.

Links to my Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Blogs:

My thoughts:

My initial plan was to hike along the lake shore but after seeing the amount of people all over the lake and beaches I decided to keep driving to my next destination.

The visit:

Hume Lake is created by damming Ninemile Creek, which is a tributary of the Kings River.

The 87-acre lake lies behind the world's first concrete reinforced multiple arch dam, that constructed in 1908 by the Hume-Bennett Lumber Company.

Hume Lake facilities include a gas station with a large general store, dining hall, clothing company, a snack shop, two Hume-n-Beans coffee shops, the Ponderosa Pizza & Pizookie, a post office, a gift shop, a recording studio, swimming pool, beach access with rowboat, paddle board and kayak rentals.

Nearby cabins available for private rental and private cabins owned by full-time and part-time residents

Popular lake activities are common: activities like non-motorized boating is allowed in the lake, Fishing, Hiking, Swimming and related beach activities and mountain biking.

Sandy Cove Day Use Area at the south section of the lake is a very popular beach and people come and spend the day here.

I came here mainly to fill my gas and was overwhelmed by the amount of people and kids in this area, the Hume Lake Christian Camps was active, and the beaches were overpack by people.

www:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/sequoia/recarea/?recid=79939

https://www.nps.gov/places/000/hume-lake-village.htm

Additional Pictures:

Kings Canyon National Park – Hume Lake

What? :

Where? :

Kings Canyon National Park is in the heart of California central Sierra mountains, adjusted north of Sequoia National Park.

It is about six hours to drive from Los Angeles and six hours to drive from San Francisco.

The lake is located about 51 mi (82 km) east of Fresno, high in the Sierra mountains, the elevation of the lake is 1,500 m (5,204.5 ft).

It is accessible from California Route 180, drive pass Kings Canyon Visitor Center and after 6.1 miles driving down road 180 you will see the turn right to Hume Lake.

Drive on Hume Lake Rd for additional 4.5 miles and you will reach the lake.

Google Map Link

When? :

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National parks are open year-round although not all roads are clear of snow during winter (see below). The best time to visit here is during the summer months, from May to September.

Summer month can introduce hot days even in high elevation. At mid-late summer you can have forest fires and smoke that cover the view during that season.

During the summer month you may start your day with clear blue skies, but weather conditions can change quickly and by midday, you may find yourself in a strong summer storm with wind, rain and thunderstorm.

Winter months are very cold and stormy, and the area and trails are covered by snow. Tire chains may be required on park roads any time it snows, usually late fall, winter, and through spring.

The recommended and safe enter to the park during winter, when the roads are covered with snow and ice is via highway 180 coming up from Fresno.

Winter roads closer:

· General Highway coming from the south (coming from Visalia, CA) in it steep and narrow switchbacks section can be close.

· Highway 180 road in heading down into Kings Canyon is closed during winter month when deep snow covers the road, usually between Jan to March.

· Crescent Meadow Rd leading to Moro Rock is close during the winter months.

Due note 1:

During the popular summer month do expect to see this popular lake packed with people, this is prime lake destination so you will not find here nature solitude experience.

Due note 2:

There is a gas station, restaurants, as well as many other services in this location.

Due note 3:

Camping at a United States Forest Service campground is available both on the northern shore of the lake and alongside Ten Mile Rd (far from the lake).

Due note 4:

Please note some roads may close due to weather especially in winter and chains can be required at any time.

Due note 5:

Hume Lake is in the National Forest which does allow dogs.

Due note 6:

Due note 7:

To avoid the summer months crowds, visit in late spring or early fall. Hume Lake is accessible year-round, but the campground is only open from roughly mid-May through mid-September.

Due note 8:

There are also many private cabins located on Sequoia National Forest land near Hume Lake. Some owners offer their cabins for rent.

Links to my Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Blogs:

My thoughts:

My initial plan was to hike along the lake shore but after seeing the amount of people all over the lake and beaches I decided to keep driving to my next destination.

The visit:

Hume Lake is created by damming Ninemile Creek, which is a tributary of the Kings River.

The 87-acre lake lies behind the world's first concrete reinforced multiple arch dam, that constructed in 1908 by the Hume-Bennett Lumber Company.

Nearby cabins available for private rental and private cabins owned by full-time and part-time residents

Popular lake activities are common: activities like non-motorized boating is allowed in the lake, Fishing, Hiking, Swimming and related beach activities and mountain biking.

Sandy Cove Day Use Area at the south section of the lake is a very popular beach and people come and spend the day here.

I came here mainly to fill my gas and was overwhelmed by the amount of people and kids in this area, the Hume Lake Christian Camps was active, and the beaches were overpack by people.

www:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/sequoia/recarea/?recid=79939

https://www.nps.gov/places/000/hume-lake-village.htm

Additional Pictures:

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