Washington · July 2017 & September 2018
Hike Summary
Distance:
8 miles out and back
Total Elevation Gain:
3,316 ft
Starting Elevation:
3,539 ft
Highest Point:
6,757 ft
Hike Time:
5 - 6 hrs
Difficulty:
Difficult
Season:
July - September
Dogs:
Not Allowed
Pass Required:
No Passes Required
The Hidden Lake Lookout is one of the best hikes in the North Cascades National Park.
It is also easily one of the most satisfying hikes I've done in my life.
The sights along the upper sections of the hike are incredible, and once you're at the lookout, you get a 360-degree view of the North Cascades.
A group of us completed this hike during the July 4th weekend, and there was still a lot of snow on the trail.
We brought our microspikes and ice axes, and they came in handy on some sections.
There were a few steep, soggy parts that made the uphill march very difficult, especially since we had driven nearly 3 hours from Seattle in the early morning to get here.
A few things are worth noting.
The forest service road to the trailhead was rough, and there was a steep section that definitely made use of our high-clearance Subaru.
Also, parking at the trailhead is limited, and I could not remember seeing an outhouse there.
Looking west toward Mt. Baker
First views of the fire lookout
Hidden Lake from the fire lookout, July 2017
September 2018
The Fire Lookout
Directions
The Hidden Lake Trail is located in the North Cascades National Park.
From Marblemount, Washington, drive 9.7 miles east on the Cascade River Road, then turn left on NF-1540.
Parts of the road are very rough, and it is advisable to take a high-clearance vehicle.
The trailhead starts at the end of NF-1540.
1
Trailhead: 48.51411, -121.22193
2
Hidden Lake Fire Lookout: 48.49549, -121.20446
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