East Bank Ross Lake — Saturday, Jun. 25, 2022

This is a delightful hike if you’re looking for something not-too-difficult (minimal elevation gain/loss, less than 7 miles round-trip, snow-free) with at least one excellent view to make it worth your while. Oh, and not overly crowded.

On this beautiful, sunny Saturday, that’s exactly what we experienced on the East Bank Ross Lake trail to Hidden Hand camp and just a bit beyond for that one excellent view. 

The trip begins with a switch-backing drop to a wide, sturdy bridge spanning Ruby Creek just after it’s confluence with Panther Creek. Then it’s back up hill steeply, but not for long.  The trail then traverses the hillside, going gently up and down while crossing several creeks.  At 2.7 miles, reach the intersection with the Little Jack Mountain trail.  Take the left fork to Hidden Hand.  Soon you’ll pass Ruby Pasture camp and then reach Hidden Hand camp – it’s only about ½ mile and both have not-so-private pit toilets.  Keep straight and then a little left and down the hill steeply to some rock overlooks providing you with your one excellent view of the trek: Ross Lake and Sourdough/Pierce Mountain. 

 There are some perfectly placed rocks on a rock outcrop about halfway down the hill toward the water. They are perfect for resting and eating and watching all the red rental canoes from Ross Resort paddle up Ruby Arm. We also watched several ducks basking in the sun near the shore and a mamma  merganser with 5 little ones in tow.  We lounged in this area for almost 2 hours before other hikers arrived.

Be careful if you have children with you though because there are steep drop-offs and the “trail” to the water is very steep over loose rock.