Hidden Lake Overlook
| Trail Features: | Outstanding views, Alpine meadows, Wildlife |  |
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| Trail Location: | Logan Pass Visitor Center | ||||
| Roundtrip Length: | 2.7 Miles | ||||
| Total Elevation Gain: | 540 Feet | ||||
| Avg. Elev Gain / Mile: | 400 Feet | ||||
| Highest Elevation: | 7152 Feet | ||||
| Trail Difficulty Rating: | 3.78 (easy) | ||||
| Parking Lot Latitude | 48.69539 | ||||
| Parking Lot Longitude | -113.71826 | ||||
Trail Description:
The hike to Hidden Lake Overlook in Glacier National Park begins from the west side of the Logan Pass Visitor Center. Once on the back side of the visitor center, after climbing the stairway, stay towards the right and look for the Hanging Gardens Trailhead. This trail is more commonly referred to as the Hidden Lake Nature Trail.
The entire length of this hike is completely open and exposed to the elements. As you ascend across the alpine meadows known as the Hanging Gardens you should expect a variety of weather conditions, including sun, wind, rain and cooler temperatures. You should also expect extreme crowds, as this is one of the most popular hikes in Glacier. Parking can also be an issue during the peak tourist season. If you wish to avoid the crowds I highly recommend starting your hike as early in the morning as possible. You'll also have the option of using the park's free shuttle system.
The hike begins along a paved surface that quickly turns into a raised boardwalk after walking a short distance. At this lofty elevation snow tends to linger around well into the summer. The boardwalk helps to keep hikers above the snow, slush, mud and rivulets. Once the snow melts, however, the Hanging Gardens becomes an incredibly beautiful carpet of wildflowers.
As you proceed upwards during the early portions of your hike, 8760-foot Clements Mountain will dominate the landscape directly in front of you (see photo on right). Looking towards the north, on your right, hikers will enjoy outstanding views of the Garden Wall (see photo above). Standing towards the northwest is 8180-foot Mt. Oberlin.
A little more than a half-mile from the visitor center, after climbing a series of wooden steps, hikers will reach the end of the first boardwalk section. From here the trail shifts to a more southwesterly course, and begins heading in the direction of 8684-foot Bearhat Mountain. Both 9125-foot Mt. Reynolds and 8016-foot Heavy Runner Mountain will be on your left as you proceed along this stretch.
Even relatively late into the season it's possible you'll have to traverse across a couple of small snowfields as you ascend towards Hidden Lake Pass.
At just over a mile from the trailhead hikers will reach a small rise, and then shortly thereafter will pass a couple of small ponds on your left. Just beyond this section, roughly 1.2 miles from the trailhead, you'll reach the Continental Divide where runoff from snow and rain begins flowing towards the Pacific Ocean.
At 1.35 miles hikers will arrive at the Hidden Lake Overlook where you'll enjoy outstanding panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains. From this vantage point Bearhat Mountain is the dominating feature above Hidden Lake. Looking directly towards the west is 8952-foot Mount Cannon. Towards the south is 8750-foot Fusillade Mountain, and towards the southwest you'll be able to see Gunsight Mountain and Sperry Glacier in the far-off distance. Mountain goats are fairly common in the area surrounding the overlook. You should also keep an eye out for bighorn sheep, marmots, and even wolverines. Grizzly bears are also occasionally seen in the area as well.
The trail continues for another 1.4 miles to reach the northeastern shore of Hidden Lake, which sits at an elevation of 6375 feet. Along the way the trail drops almost 770 feet. For more information on the hike to the lake, please click here.
Perhaps the most famous person to ever visit Hidden Lake was George H. W. Bush. In 1983 the then-Vice President hiked to the shores of the lake to fish for trout.
