The trailhead for Hidden Lake Trail leaves from Logan Pass Visitor Center on the Going to the Sun Rd. You must get here early if you want to find a parking space easily and if you want to hike with a smaller crowd! Even in late summer, by 11am the hike was pretty much wall to wall people and drivers were circling for parking spaces... Fortunately we were heading down then, not up.

The visitor center opens at 9am, but you can start hiking earlier. The trailhead is marked (1.5 miles one way for the overlook and 3.0 miles to the lake itself - same trail). It's practically all paved or boardwalked to the overlook - but with about 500' rise in elevation in the form of steps. My mom made it - just take your time and enjoy the view on the way up.

At the start and around the Visitor's Center you'll see an abundance of ground squirrels and chipmunks (chipmunks have stripes on their faces). Look closely and you might even spy a weasel. He was far more reclusive, but in the early morning with few visitors, we saw him. Along the trail look for marmots, ptarmigans, picas - and keep your eyes open - the Bighorn Sheep blend in well. Early is better for seeing them - they were gone on our way down.

Mountains peaks are visible everywhere, and in the valleys, literally all around us, were wildflowers in bloom using almost every color in Crayola's box. There's even a picturesque alpine waterfall to add more ambiance.

The mountain goats like the top. They can be spotted anywhere in the valleys or even standing on the glacier up on your right (as you head up). Near and slightly past the overlook they are generally very close to the trail. In the morning they were more active and eating. By the time we headed down (11am "ish") they were settling in for napping.

This whole hike was one huge buffet for the eyes - such pretty colors - such impressive animals - and yes, there's even a gorgeous lake. It's a great way to see nature. The only "bad" thing is the crowds - and unruly kids/uncaring parents that sometimes come with them - not to mention the young "20-something" who started an attempt to carve his initials into a rock - my Mom stopped him (yes, there are idiots of all ages out there - sigh). If you come early, you avoid those - making this nigh onto as perfect a trail as one can get for its alpine wonders.

Every time I’ve hiked here there have been areas of snowpack still on the trail. This last June, the "Going to the Sun Road" opened the latest in recorded history at the very end of the month! Did you notice the tall poles that are stuck in the roads on the way up? Those are markers for the snowcats to push snow over the side of the narrow road…sometimes they topple too!
The mountain goats are all over this area and the hike is worth it just to see them. I’ve heard that the animals come here to eat the antifreeze off the pavement from the cars! Rangers have been shooing the animals away but recent talks have been about letting a test group of animals do what they want since they come back as soon as the "pooohlice" leave the area! It was noted that none have become sick or died from their gourmet meal. It might be harder to spot the Hoary Marmot that is a rodent-like critter who lives up here too. I’ve taken to calling my children "Hoary Marmot’s" when they iritate me!
Cirque’s, which are depressions carved by glacial ice are like dimples in the low terrain with the twisted knarly and stunted bristlecone pine trees protected from the harsh conditions by exposed rock formations. I’ve seen Pascal flowers up here at the most odd times, not just at Easter as early settler’s thought.
When you reach the Hidden Lake overlook, you’ll need to make a decision on descending the steep and sometimes slippery trail down to the lake itself. I can attest that every muscle in your body will be aching the next day if you choose to continue descending (and eventually ascending) the trail..After the first time, we’ve been very happy with the splendid high view from the top of the pass with the lake below us!
The Logan’s Pass information center has displays about the area and you can pick up a book to help you learn more about the geology, plants, and animals. There are ranger led hikes on the schedule board at the desk inside that are really wonderful and suitable for school age children and older.