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This classic hike or backpack trip in the craggy North Cascades travels to a view of the alpine world.


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Map Key

4.1

Miles

6.5

KM

Point to Point

6,815' 2,077 m

High

3,586' 1,093 m

Low

3,283' 1,001 m

Up

61' 19 m

Down

16%

Avg Grade (9°)

52%

Max Grade (27°)

Dogs Off-leash

Features Commonly Backpacked · Lake · Views · Wildflowers

Description

The road up to the trailhead is in poor condition. A mile from the end is a pair of pits that require careful negotiation (August 2017). If you can get past there, the rest of the road is no worse than what you've already covered.

The trail is in good shape, although a few spots have loose footing, and is easy to follow until you get to the boulders below the lake viewpoint. Then the trail gets vaguer, as evident by multiple trampled paths. To get to the lookout hut requires some hand-and-foot work to get over the boulders.

Thankfully, you don't have much risk of getting wet from the trail, as bridges cross the bigger creeks and boardwalks cross some muddy parts.

Flora & Fauna

The lower part of this trail is usual fir/hemlock forest, but the upper part is beautiful alpine meadow.

Contacts

Shared By:

R Craig

Trail Ratings

  4.7 from 18 votes

#303

Overall
  4.7 from 18 votes
5 Star
72%
4 Star
22%
3 Star
6%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#22

in Washington

#303

Overall
5 Views Last Month
2,172 Since Feb 29, 2016
Difficult Difficult

0%
0%
10%
5%
81%
5%

Photos

View from ridge on ascent of Hidden Lake Lookout
Nov 7, 2017 near Diablo, WA
Hidden Lake and the North Cascades from Hidden Lake Lookout
Nov 7, 2017 near Diablo, WA
Hidden Lake Hut. with permission from Mike Conlan
Feb 29, 2016 near Darrington, WA
Hidden Lake Trail
Sep 11, 2019 near Diablo, WA
Hidden Lake in mid-July
May 28, 2018 near Diablo, WA
On the way, there was a divide line between snow and no snow and amazing clouds. The snow was completely gone when we hiked down.
Jun 28, 2018 near Diablo, WA

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jun 18, 2023
Jenny Ridout
Sep 1, 2019
Luke Sandstrom
4.1mi
Aug 14, 2019
Adamson Bryant
with Clare 8.5mi — 5h 13m
Aug 3, 2019
Bethany V
Jul 29, 2018
Christopher Harris
Weekend backpack with Kim and Kinsley. Overnight below the summit on western side.
Jul 13, 2018
April Schweikhard
Aug 8, 2017
Ilya Murashka
Jul 15, 2017
Arya Hezarkhani
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