Osar Lake Trail

Osar Lake Trail is an out-and-back from the south side of Denali Highway at milepost 37, crossing open tundra and glacial eskers to the northwest shore of Osar Lake. The mapped corridor is about 7.1 miles each way, so plan on about 14.2 miles round trip. The BLM lists the trail at 7.2 miles, which fits the one-way line to the lake. Allow about eight hours, including breaks; that is a practical estimate, not an official time. This is a long walk for hikers who want a full day outside, not a quick lake stop.

The route heads south from Maclaren Summit over low, winding esker ridges, with broad views across the Maclaren River basin. BLM describes the trail as usually dry and recommends it for hikers, bicycles, and four-wheelers. The route profile drops about 800 feet between the highway and the lake, so the way back includes that climb. Expect an open walk rather than a shaded forest path. The mapped line ends at the lake's northwest shore; return on the same corridor.

An esker is a winding ridge of sand and gravel deposited by meltwater flowing in or beneath a glacier. These glacial ridges are the route's distinctive landform: the trail crosses them on its way to the lake, and the higher ground opens views over the surrounding basin.

The trail lies in the Tangle Lakes Archaeological District. The wider district contains more than 600 recorded archaeological sites and evidence of four cultural traditions. More than 600 sites include pit houses and hand-fashioned stone tools, and carbon dating points to four cultural traditions. People have used routes in this region since the Ice Age; Athabaskan hunters traveled them seeking caribou for villages along the Gulkana River. Stay on designated trails and do not collect or disturb artifacts.

The MP 37 route from Maclaren Summit reaches the northwest shore. Landmark Gap Trail South, which begins at MP 24.7, is a different hike; its southwest branch goes only to the vicinity of Osar Lake. Do not combine those lines into one route.