Hidden Lake Lookout

Marblemount, WA
4.9
16 Reviews
Hidden Lake Lookout
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Details

Distance
7.39 miles
Elevation Gain
3415 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back

Features

Dog Friendly
Scenic
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About this place

Added by Christin Healey

Once you've completed the scramble to the top and reached Hidden Lake Lookout, you'll get 360 degree views of Washington. Hit the trail early if you're hoping to spend the night in the lookout. It's first come, first served.

Be careful when heading up this 4.5 mile trail since there can be snow coverage into the summer. When you start the trail, you'll get a little tree coverage as you start climbing up. Unfortunately, the shade starts to dissipate after about a mile, where you'll cross over Sibley Creek and enter the basin. As you climb, the view gets better - take time to check out the valley below and Mt. Baker. Once you've hiked for about 2.5 miles, the trail will ease its incline grade a bit and allow you to pass through the meadow and catch your breath.

After another mile of hiking, you'll start to get views of the surrounding peaks like Forbidden and Klawatti. Once you reach the saddle, you'll be able to see Hidden Lake below. There's no defined trail to the lake; it's about a 1/2 mile boulder scramble if you're looking to get down there. For the last bit of the hike from the saddle, you'll be scrambling up boulders for 0.5 miles to make it up to the lookout.

Staying here is first come, first served.

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Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and be sure to follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly.
Community
Reviews
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Sharon Y
1/3/2026
Definitely a challenging hike and a popular one! Staying overnight at the firelookout tower is such a classic WA experience to withess sunrise and ...
Amazing Views
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Cara Holmes
7/26/2025
An amazing trail through a steep meadow of wildflowers, up to a lookout to an alpine lake and then a fire tower! Took us ...
Well Maintained
Amazing Views
Well Marked
Great Conditions
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Monica Tretola
3/18/2023
Amazing Views
Very challenging, start early so u can get to the top for lunch
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Mike Kelly
10/5/2020
Superb!
This one has it all doesn't it? Hike through a dense forest, coming up through the valley with wildflowers, climbing the ridge and ...
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Whitt Wallace
8/15/2020
Nice
Good
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Tyler Howe
10/8/2019
Beautiful in the Fall
Hiked this on October 6, and was greeted with a nice layer of snow and ice over much of the upper part of the ...
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Clayton Thompson
9/21/2018
Awesome
It’s just awesome. No other words. Plain awesome.
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Chloe Donlan
9/7/2018
Lit
This hike was dope. Starts out in an alpine meadow and only gets better. Highly recommend
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Kevin Li
7/18/2018
Bomb!
Definitely one of the best ways to experience the PNW and the views! I'd spend a night up there to see the sunset and ...
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Zach Brown
11/8/2017
Spectacular!
Hiked up to the lookout at the end of August and camped over-looking Hidden Lake for the night. First, the hike up was ...
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Katherine Haveman
9/24/2016
Making Friends
A stunning hike, and a great way to make friends by sharing the lookout with some other fellow solo backpackers for a fun night ...
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Adrian Pickup
9/12/2016
A beautiful hike
My wife and I hiked this trail on a beautiful day in early September. We started late (1pm) so only made it to the ...
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Emily Noyd
8/3/2016
Ranger favorite
This is one of the best moderate hikes in the North Cascades for panoramic views of peaks and glaciers. It was one of my ...
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Christin Healey
10/2/2015
Incredible hike/spot/view
Just did this hike a few weeks ago and stayed in the fire lookout. Just a quick note that the wilderness ranger told ...
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Scott Kranz
Club
10/2/2015
This adventure offers some of the best views in the North Cascades! If you stay in the lookout, be sure to leave it ...
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Jeffrey Green
7/30/2015
That Fire Lookout looks amazing! I would love to check it out! Jeff
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