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One of the most popular Hikes in Glacier National Park is the hike to Hidden Lake Overlook along the Hidden Lake Trail. The views along this short hike are spectacular the entire way, and it very well may be the most scenic 1.5 miles (one way) you’ll ever experience. Taking this famous day hike is one of Top Things To Do in Glacier Park, and Shannon and I definitely feel it’s a “must do” during your Glacier National Park vacation.
The trail head to the Hidden Lake Trail is located just behind the Visitor Center at Logan Pass along the Going To The Sun Road, and the first half of the trail is mainly a board walk designed to protect the sensitive vegetation found in this area. The distance to the Hidden Lake Overlook is only 1.5 miles and the elevation gain is 460 vertical feet. If you’re in reasonably good physical condition, you should have no problems hiking to the overlook and back. Because it’s such a short Glacier Park hike, you can take your time and rest whenever you need to.
Up through the end of July, the Hidden Lake Trail is usually partially (or completely) covered in snow, which visitors really seem to enjoy. Park rangers carefully mark the trail so you will easily know where to walk. We highly recommend that you wear shoes or hiking boots with good tread on their soles, and do not wear sandals or flip flops. (Yes, we’ve seen a lot that on the trail!)
All along the Hidden Lake Trail you will enjoy breathtaking scenery in all directions, such as the towering matterhorns of Clements Mountain and Reynolds Mountain. And if your timing is good, you may see the entire landscape covered in wild flowers! Once you get to the Hidden Lake Overlook, the view suddenly changes into a breath-taking panorama of the Hidden Lake Area, with Bearhat Mountain dominating the landscape as you gaze down upon Hidden Lake 500 vertical feet below you.
The Hidden Lake Trail continues on to the shore of Hidden Lake, but remember, the 500 vertical feet you lose getting to the lake, you must then hike back up 500 vertical feet to get back to more level ground.
The Hidden Lake Overlook in Glacier National Park is a great place to have lunch, all the while taking in some of the most awe-inspiring landscape found in North America. And in addition to the incredible scenery, you will more than likely see plenty of mountain goats during your Hidden Lake Trail hike, especially right at the overlook.
The bottom line is this: The hike to the Hidden Lake Overlook is definitely one of those iconic Hikes in Glacier National Park that we highly recommend. So while you’re vacationing in Glacier Park, make sure you head to Logan Pass and enjoy this famous Glacier Park hike. We can assure you that you and your family will be glad you did.
For more information on the hike to Hidden Lake Overlook in Glacier National Park, please click here: http://www.enjoyyourparks.com/GlacierParkHiddenLakeTrail.html
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