Hume Lake, body of water

Hume Lake is a reservoir nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains in California's Fresno County. The water body sits at an elevation of around 6,000 feet (1,830 meters) and is surrounded by dense pine and fir forests.

Hume Lake was formed by the Hume-Bennett Lumber Company, which hired John S. Eastwood in 1908 to build a dam at Long Meadow on Tenmile Creek. Completed in 114 days, the reinforced concrete multiple arch dam stored logs floated to an adjacent mill and supplied water to a 73-mile flume carrying lumber to Sanger. Logging ended by 1924 after a 1917 fire destroyed the mill, and the U.S. Forest Service bought the site in 1935.

The lake is most accessible from June through October when mountain roads are clear of snow. Visitors should bring sturdy footwear and be prepared for cool temperatures even during summer months.

Hume Lake Christian Camps began in 1946, when founders met in Dinuba and bought 320 acres of shoreline that included the Hume Lake Hotel, a store, a service station, a post office, 22 cottages and 22 boats. That summer, 670 campers and 15 volunteer staff attended conferences there.