The hike to the Hidden Lake Overlook must be the most popular in the park. The trailhead is right at the Logan Pass visitor center and there is a large parking lot to accommodate the many visitors. The view is stupendous, and it is only 1.5 miles to the overlook. Mountain goats and bighorn sheep are common in the area, and there wild flowers, mountains and lakes, plus you can walk on a boardwalk, which makes for easy hiking. Unless of course the boardwalk is still buried under snow, which was the case when we visited in July.
Originally, we were going to hike the Highline trail on this day, but it was SO foggy at the start, we ended up sitting in our car for a while. Eventually, we drove down to the Loop, and then back up to the pass, stopping for some photos when the clouds would momentarily part. When the visitor center opened, we went in there and talked to the rangers about hiking trails. The visitor center is not that big, about half of it is a gift shop. We eventually gave up on the Highline Trail for that day, and decided to start our hike to Hidden Lake in the heavy fog, hoping that the clouds would lift and we could see all the marvelous scenery.
It wasn't long after we started that the sun chased all the clouds away and we had a beautiful day. We climbed up over the snow. From this trail, you look across at the Continental Divide, and at the Highline Trail that goes along its side - we had to do that trail - it looked like fun. When you are most of the way to Hidden Lake Overlook, you can look east and see all the way down to St Mary's Lake. There are lots of mountains to be seen in all directions, I have tried to identify them all in my photos.
The view at the overlook really is great. A pristine blue lake surrounded by jagged peaks that are softened by gleaming snowfields. What's not to like? Plus, there are mountain goats near the overlook. A very nice spot, the hike is deserving of its popularity.
Of course, we kept on going - the trail doesn't stop at the overlook, you can walk down to the shore of Hidden Lake. Which we did. I put those pictures on the next page.
Click here to see a panorama photo of Hidden Lake from the overlook.
Click on any thumbnail to open photo in new window. My favorite photos have blue frames.
