Hidden Lake Lookout — Thursday, Jul. 21, 2016

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20

The road to the trailhead is a long and rough forest service road, with some deep ruts. We were fortunate enough to have an AWD car, though it would be possible to make it in a 2WD car as long as you're slow and careful. We arrived around 7:30. The hike starts with a moderate climb through the forest, with some small streams to cross but nothing too major. It then emerges into a clearing. You'll walk for a while among tall grass and other plants, crossing another slightly larger stream and gradually start switchbacking up through the valley, as the plants get shorter and the views better. Some of this trail can be a bit sideways, so step carefully. You'll eventually come to a long, straight, relatively flat portion that crosses several snowfields. Be careful here, and make sure the snow is thick enough where you're stepping. Finally, there are some more switchbacks, a bit more snow, and a short scramble to get to the lookout. We arrived at the lookout around noon and had plenty of time to read and enjoy the awe-inspiring scenery. From the lookout, you get nearly 360º views. (Ironically, the only thing that you cannot see from the lookout is Hidden Lake -- it's a 50' scramble over some rocks to get that view.) In the evening, we were presented with one of the most spectacular sunsets I've ever seen -- pinks, purples, oranges, and scattered clouds with sun rays poking through. Truly amazing. We shared the lookout with 6 others, so there were 9 total that night. It was cozy, but not too tight. Be forewarned that the caretaker and a crew of 4 are there doing maintenance work for the next few nights, and will also be there in late August, so you should not count on being able to stay in the lookout for those nights. There's also a small camping area by the lake, though you will need a permit to stay there. The morning was a bit more difficult: we awoke inside a cloud, with ~50' visibility and swirling, misty wind and rain for the descent. Not super pleasant; I'd recommend having rain gear just in case. A lot of new streams appeared, including some on the edge of snowfields. It is particularly important to exercise caution in this case because it's difficult to figure out if a snowfield can support your weight. Be very careful. We made it down without issue, but it was slow going for a while. This hike was not particularly difficult, but decent gear is a must -- hiking boots with good tread (waterproof is a plus) are essential for fording streams, hiking over rocks, and conquering some of the steeper terrain, and trekking poles would be nice to have as well (though we didn't have them). Overall, a very nice hike, and awesome views all around.