Hidden Lake Overlook TrailLogan Pass Opened June 19, 2012
Logan Pass Opened July 13, 2011
July 7, 2012
~ Snow conditions are improving on the moraine with the start of two seperate tracks.
Current temp at Logan Pass is 67 F at 1 PM. (7-8-12)
The meadows will be clear of snow in a very short time.
Glacier Lilies are starting to bloom at Hidden Lake Overlook the rest of the bare ground will soon follow. The Red Snow that you see at Logan Pass is caused by an algae.
"Red Snow ~ Chlamydomonas Nivalis algae in snow on Logan Pass.">
(NPS)
July 4 2012
~ Snow conditions on the narrow spot on the hump from the glacier moraine are extremely tricky and potentially hazardous at this time ~ June 28, 2012.
NPS Trail Status for Hidden Lake Trail
100% Snow Covered, trail marked with yellow stakes to Overlook.
Steep slippery snow at the moraine near Hidden Pass 6/22/12
NPS Trail Crew Report as of 9-8-11
Hidden Lake Trail OPEN: 9/7/11
as of 8-26-27 Trail Closed due to bears
TRAIL POSTED: Adams change the trail from closed to posted on 8/22/2011
TRAIL CLOSURE: From overlook to the lake for bears. 8/21/2011
Logan Pass Visitor Center to Hidden Lake ~ 3.0 mi.
Avoid resource damage. Follow wooden and yellow posts to the Hidden Lake overlook.
Stay on boardwalk, trail, or snow.
Vehicle access to Logan Pass will be available from the east side of the park through Sunday, October 16, 2011
weather permitting. . . . the last day to access Logan Pass by vehicle from the west side will be Sunday, September 18. Vehicle traffic will be restricted on the west side at Avalanche Creek beginning Monday, September 19. 2011
Trail is 15% snow covered to Hidden Lake Overlook, 5% snow covered thereafter. 8/21/11
OBERLIN/REYNOLDS RESOURCE PROTECTION CLOSURE IN EFFECT. CLIMBING ROUTES STILL ACCESSIBLE. 7/31/11
Initial clearing scheduled for: 7/15/11
As of 9-5-11 Hidden Lake Overlook Trail is completely ice and snow free. Hidden Lake Trail remains closed and the closure is being actively enforced. There are patches of snow near the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail and there are skiers and boarders still attempting to ski/board on those rapidly shrinking patches of snow. As of 8-13-11 Hidden Lake Trail, not Hidden Lake Overlook Trail is completely ice and snow free as is the trail on the western side of Logan Pass. The trail on the eastern side still has snow as of 8-20-11.
As of 8-20-11 conditions on Hidden Lake Overlook Trail are much safer then last week. The trail crew has shovelled out six feet of snow from the bridge on the Hidden Lake Trail that was hidden under the snow. The trail crew has also shovelled out the snow on the knoll after the bridge. Then the trail crew went on up to Hidden Lake Overlook and removed the overlook. It was an eerie feeling as I neared the former site of Hidden Lake Overlook and saw neat piles of used lumber to the right of the trail. Then signs proclaiming 'special maintenance' Oh the wonders of gov speak. Hidden Lake Overlook was removed by the NPS Trail Crew sometime between August 15 - August 19, 2011. So for new visitors to this trail you will need to wait until next year to enjoy a overlook deck. Hiking this trail without ski or hiking poles is still on the tricky side especially on the return.
TRAIL CLOSURE: From overlook to the lake for bears. 8/21/2011
Bears are feeding on spawning fish in Hidden Lake! Do not argue with a bear over a fish! Expect the Hidden Lake Trail, not the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail to be closed due to bears SOON. 8-20-11
If your looking for a peaceful, uncrowded hike then your on the wrong trail. Hidden Lake Overlook Trail is one of the most popular trails in Glacier Park and has some of the best views in the park from the deck of the overlook. Hidden Lake Overlook Trail is a fairly easy hike which starts behind the Logan Pass Visitor Center. Hidden Lake Overlook Trail starts at 6,646 feet and gains 511 feet, so even though this is an easy trail, the altitude can alter how easy you find this trail. Weather conditions change rapidly on this trail! Although I have hiked up to the overlook and back without meeting a single person, it is rare. I've hiked this trail at least sixty times in the last twenty one years, so I've gotten pretty good at guessing when it won't be crowded. When the trail is snow covered I wear snowshoes and carry hiking poles. There are some narrow, steep drop off sections on this trail that are the last to be snow free. Hiking across snow can be tricky, easy to twist your ankle or tweak your knee. Despite being the second most popular trail in Glacier Park, sadly trail work while the trail is snow covered is minimal at best.
Snow bridges caused by spring melt undercutting the snow above can be hazardous.
When the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail is snow covered, Glacier National Park usually marks the trail, for your own safety follow the markers for the trail. Winter is loosening it's hold for the moment on Logan Pass, snow is melting quickly, wildflowers are blooming in there short, brief span of sunlight and warmth. Travelling across rapidly melting snow can still be hazardous. The major glacier lily bloom has come and gone for 2011 at the meadows behind Logan Pass Visitor Center. Big Horn Rams are once again taking up residence in the meadows just behind the Visitor Center.
Be prepared for winter like conditions
at any time,
any month.
Logan Pass opened for the 2011 summer season July 13th, the Hidden Lake Trail is completely covered in snow, except for the paved start of the trail which will be cleared of snow by the NPS. 99% snow cover as of 7-16-11. The winter of 2010/2011 set records for snowfall and rain. Hidden Lake mid July 2011 looks pretty much like it did last year June 24 so the meadow glacier lilies will be three weeks later then last year.
In the June 15, 2010 NPS photo above, the start of the Hidden Lake Trail is buried in snow. The Hidden Lake Overlook Trail trail starts just to the right of the front edge of the Logan Pass Visitor Center which in this photo is under about eight feet of snow. The Hidden Lake Overlook Trail starts out as a blacktop surface, then turns to a series of wooden steps and boardwalks. This part of the trail is elevated to protect the alpine surface. Almost as soon as the snow melts from the first part of the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail the alpine meadow turns yellow from the blooms of the glacier lilies, as you can see in the photo.
 Logan Pass was open on May 25, 2005 and the photo above was taken on June 30, 2005.
So expect wildflowers around mid August this year at Logan Pass.
Hidden Lake Overlook summer sunset. The view from Hidden Lake Overlook captivates, inspires, and calms (sometimes) visitors. The general area around the overlook is home to many mountain goats both very young and very old. The Big Horn Sheep tend to stay closer to the visitor center at Logan Pass. Once the snow melts and the glacier lilies start to cover the ground for as far as the eye can see the variety of wildlife increases. The transition from complete snow cover to complete wildflower cover is seemingly overnight.
 
Photo above was taken on the Hidden Lake Trail on July 4, 2008.
Hidden Lake Overlook Trail usually has snow cover until July, this year, 2011, it will have some snow cover in August. High winds, and wet cold weather happen quickly on this trail. Storms systems funnel wind, rain and snow through Logan Pass.
Mountain goat just before Hidden Lake Overlook. June 24, 2010 was the first time that I hiked the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail without seeing a mountain goat.
Mountain goat Hidden Lake Overlook Glacier National Park. This trail goes from complete snow cover to large areas of blooming glacier lilies in a very short time.
Hidden Lake view point about a 1/4 mile past the Overlook, just before steep steps going down the Hidden Lake Trail to Hidden Lake. Most of the hikers stop at the wooden deck and don't get to this spot on the Hidden Lake Trail. The trail is flat until this point and provides a different view of Hidden Lake. The mountain goat with kid was taken at this spot on the Hidden Lake Trail.
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