![]() When we were there in late June, most of the trail was still snow covered. Hidden Lake Trail is well-trodden and not particularly rugged, but there could be mud and snow in places. If the sun is shining, you’ll be in the open the whole trail, at an elevation of between 6,000 to just over 7,000 feet. A rain jacket also helps as a windbreaker. It very likely will be cooler at Logan Pass than wherever you come from lower down, and, being in the open, may be windy. Shorts? Well, okay, they’re grown-ups now-I can’t dress them anymore! □ Bring a rain jacket along, even if the skies are blue when you leave your campsite or lodge. Wear layers you can either add or take off. It’s always a good idea to be prepared for changeable weather anytime you’re in the mountains. If you’re up for braving the cold alpine water temps, even go for a swim! How to Dress for this Hike It would make a super half-day activity if you pack some snacks or lunch. If you decide to continue on the trail down to the lake itself, there will be far fewer people joining you. Mary Visitor Center) and there were plenty of spots left.īut on our way back down the mountain, there were many more people starting on the trail and the parking lot was almost full. We arrived at the Logan Pass late morning (having stopped here and there on the way, coming from the St. I think partially because we happened to drive the Sun Road on a day when an all-day rain was forecast, there wasn’t as much traffic. Dramatic clouds float between the mountains above a still iced-up Hidden Lake Or head out later in the afternoon for an evening hike. Shoot to be at the parking lot before 10:00 am, especially in July and the first half of August. To avoid these crowds and find a parking spot, your best bet is to get going early. The parking lot at the Visitor Center at Logan Pass fills up quickly during the busy summer season. How to Avoid the Crowdsīecause the Hidden Lake Trail is along Going-to-the-Sun Road and is so accessible and family-friendly, this hike is extremely popular. A couple of marmots were poking their noses out quite near us on the overlook platform.īighorn sheep and the occasional grizzly bear are also around (we heard of a bear in the area a day or two after we were there). We saw a mama mountain goat with her two kids running around on the sheer mountainside. In addition to that, I can almost guarantee a sighting of marmots, mountain goats, or bighorn sheep by this point.This is one of the shortest hikes you can do in the park to get these dramatic views. In less than a mile and a half, you can reach the lookout, which provides excellent views of the surrounding mountains and Hidden Lake down below. Snow also tends to linger in this area well into the season, so be prepared to stomp in some slush until late July. It is an extremely popular destination in the park, so arrive before 9am if you hope to find a parking spot (or take the free shuttle provided by the park service!). The Hidden Lake trail begins at the Logan Pass visitor center, which at 6,646 feet is the highest point in the park that you can access by car. With pavement and boardwalks traversing much of the journey towards the Hidden Lake Lookout, this trail can throw some serious hikers off at first by being so “easy.” However, its accessibility for many types of travelers is what makes it so likable. There are amazing backpacking routes, peaks to scramble, and rivers to raft, but the one trail that I always recommend (especially to families) is to Hidden Lake. While working in the park, I learned about some of the best trails in the area. These places are sacred, wild, and need protection but it is these meaningful vacations with our friends and family that create the environmental stewards we need. This family quickly reminded me of how important it is to share the excitement of our parks with others. Next to the amazing trails, the incredible connection that people make with this place is what has made the park so memorable. That look in their eyes is the reason that I choose to work in Glacier National Park. Their eyes all lit up as they took a break from their daily routine and reminisced on a summertime memory. With excitement, the kids told me how they saw bears, moose, and mountain goats, then laughed about their timing with arriving to the park the day that the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road closed for the season. ![]() They came up with their two children and each of them took turns raving about their trip to the park, saying that it was one of their absolute favorite national park experiences. The father had seen the mountain goat bumper stickers on my car as well as the hiking decals on my computer and connected the dots. While writing at a coffee shop today, a young family approached me and asked about Glacier National Park. Hidden Lake Glacier National Park, Montana Words and Photography by Lauren Hurst
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