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Hidden Lake Overlook

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate
 4.7 (106) RECOMMENDED ROUTE
  1. Areas
  2. MT
  3. …Northwestern Montana
  4. …Glacier National Park
  5. St. Mary
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“A shorter, out-and-back hike from the Logan Pass Visitor Center to the Hidden Lake Overlook. ”

Jake Bramante
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Map Key

2.7

Miles

4.3

KM

Out and Back

7,155' 2,181 m

High

6,677' 2,035 m

Low

490' 149 m

Up

489' 149 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

20%

Max Grade (11°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Lake · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Family Friendly While a bit of an incline, many families make it out midway on the trail, but many make it all the way to the overlook together.

Access to the trailhead depends upon where the snow plows are. Usually opens up in May to cyclists and mid-June to vehicular traffic. Bring bear spray.

Overview

This hike starts from the apex of the Going-to-the-Sun Road at Logan Pass. The entire hike features beautiful panoramic views out over alpine meadows and rugged peaks to a fantastic overlook of Hidden Lake tucked beneath towering peaks. The snow can stick around well into July, but the wildflowers are around through September with the best blooms in August.

Need to Know

Always bring a warm hat and gloves as well as a rain jacket as travel through this area, even on a hot summer day, can change quickly. Make sure that you either purchase or rent bear spray. It can be rented in Apgar Village.

Description

To start this hike, head out on the Hidden Lake Trail past the visitor center that starts as asphalt and quickly turns into a raised boardwalk. The boardwalk heads up turning into stairs that lead toward the glacial moraine that was formed by the glacier that used to sit at the bottom of Clements Mountain. Note that the boardwalk is a series of many steps. They aren't difficult in and of themselves, but were not built at a height to be a simple step for someone shorter than 64 inches. It helps to have a hiking pole or walking stick to be able to navigate the step height.

From here, the trail continues on dirt, climbing over Hidden Pass where you can often spot mountain goats. After 1.4 miles, Hidden Lake becomes visible down below at overlook with an interpretive sign. From here, there is also a great view into Sperry Glacier basin.

Most visitors head back from this overlook, but the trail does continue downward for an additional 1.2 miles to the north side of Hidden Lake. This is a steep descent that can be a challenging addition.

This content was created by Jake Bramante of Hike 734. Visit hike734.com for more expert Glacier content and maps that help you decide which trail to hike.

Flora & Fauna

Alpine flowers are breathtaking. Fleabane, glacier lilies, and elephant's head to name a few. Mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and ground squirrels are the more popular animals seen, although pika, bears and mule deer may also be spotted.

Contacts

Land Manager: NPS - Glacier National Park

Shared By:

Jake Bramante with improvements by Susan Rosenbaum
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.7 from 106 votes

#2

in St. Mary

#58

Overall
  4.7 from 106 votes
5 Star
71%
4 Star
25%
3 Star
5%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#2

in St. Mary

#4

in Montana

#58

Overall
78 Views Last Month
7,271 Since Jun 9, 2016
Intermediate
8%
3%
69%
11%
8%
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Photos

View of Hidden Lake taken from the lookout at the top of the trail.
Oct 1, 2016 near Red Roc…, MT
Hidden Lake Valley.
Jun 9, 2016 near Red Roc…, MT
Mountain goat on the trail
Jul 2, 2020 near Red Roc…, MT
Trail to the mountain.
Jun 9, 2016 near Red Roc…, MT
Just before reaching the overlook at Hidden Lake
Jan 19, 2016 near Red Roc…, MT
Small alpine pond.
Jun 9, 2016 near Red Roc…, MT

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

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All Clear 24 days ago See History
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Check-Ins

Oct 4, 2022
Jade Larot
Took the trail past the overlook and went all the way down to the lake. Doubled the hike miles and a decent descent/incline to and from the lake — 2h 00m
Sep 27, 2022
Brett Wolfley
Sep 5, 2022
Daniel McCloskey
Sep 3, 2022
Sushma Shatharaja
Aug 20, 2022
Sarah Slomski
First hike in glacier!! Saw two mountain goats! — 0h 30m
Aug 15, 2022
Private User
Aug 11, 2022
Kathleen Yeager
Aug 6, 2022
Brian Baker
Trail closed beyond observation deck

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