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Astrid Sieger

 

Last summer we had a friend who was only living in Montana for about 6 months while working an apprenticship at a local pottery.  About 3 weeks before he was to return home to Pennsylvania we decided to take him to Glacier National Park for a hike to Hidden Lake.  Loading up with plenty of water and good hiking shoes we set out early one morning for this beautiful experience.

To get to the head of the trail we drove up Going-To-The-Sun Road to the top at Logan’s Pass.  There is a great big visitor’s center and parking lot at Logan’s Pass so when we found a parking spot we got out filled backpacks with high-energy snacks and rubbed on sun block.  The first part of the trail was paved and easy walking; the overlook of the lake is easily reached by a relatively flat hike of 1.5 miles. From here there are amazing vistas that show off the grandeur of this pristine park.

Farther down the trail became a little more difficult. To reach the lakeshore requires an additional hike of 1.5 miles down a relatively moderate grade; I wouldn’t take my small niece and nephew past this point but it’s an incredible trip that I highly recommend. We encountered mountain goats grazing along the sloping sides of the trail; the occasional breeze made this a most enjoyable hike. 

Hidden Lake is not a huge lake and is relatively protected from the high winds by its location deep down in a bowl.  We went down to the edge of the lake, taking off our shoes for an instant cool down as we stood in the cold water munching on Power Bars, and dried fruit.  Looking out over the lake you will see nothing but sky and vegetation and like the rest of Glacier Park the air is the clearest you will ever breathe.  Fishing is a popular activity here. 

When visiting Glacier National Park be sure to make time for a Hidden Lake hike, it’s an unforgettable experience!