Hidden Lake

This is a classic North Cascades trail, quiet forest, rushing streams, wildflower meadows and mountains everywhere! It is also long, steep, with numerous snowfields,mudholes, and a few bugs. The lookout is perched atop a steep rock face that requiers a bit of a scramble to the top. But WOW, are the views fantastic! The trail starts off in forest, with a few creek crossings, then starts switchbacking steeply up a slope covered in wildflowers. Cross the first snowfield and start traversing the side of the ridge. There are lots of snowfields, but the snow is soft and melting fast. Boots and poles are all that's needed. When the lookout is spotted at the saddle, finally, it looks quite daunting Still about .5 of a mile (according to the map) follow a steep uphill trail that goes around the NE side. It deadends at a boulder scramble with the lookout in sight. When we got up there the top was crowded and the inside of the lookout was claimed for the night. This was by far the hardest hike I have done in a long time and I've done lots of guidebook rated 4 hikes! I was by far the oldest one up there, old enough to be every body else's mother! No wonder I was tired! I met 'Austneats' on the way back down. They were heading for the lake, which is still mostly frozen. Hikers were making it in apparently, for better hikers than me, I wouldn't have tried it w/o ice axe skills. Great hike for the first hike a thon hike!