From Marblemount on Hwy-20, leave the highway at the main corner in town. This road goes east across a bridge. This is the beginning of Cascade River Road. At 9 miles from Marblemount, the Sibley Creek Road No. 1540 starts to the left and climbs up the drainage for about 4.7 miles to the Sibley Creek trailhead. Most people are able to drive up in a standard car.

Hidden Lake Peak & Lookout Site

Distance: 4 miles
Elevation Gain: 3,500 feet
Summit Elevation: 7,088 feet, lookout at 6,890 feet
Access: Good Gravel

Washington Hiking Trips

Route:

This is a very popular hike off the Cascade River Road just outside the national park boundary. It's one of the easiest peaks to reach that gives you views over all the rugged peaks in the area. There is also a 1931 lookout on the summit that makes for great pictures. But, the lookout is not on the highest point, look for point 7088 on the map and scramble up it for the highest point.

This is just a trail by mid July, before that be prepared for some steep snow crossings. The trail starts as an old road, goes up through forests, finally becoming meadows and views, views, views. A few minor trails break off the main route if you wanted to go to Sibley Pass, Hidden Lake or the highpoint. Most people just go to the lookout.

Access:

North Cascades Hwy.

Home

View north to the Eldorado and Triad area

Northwest to the Teebone Ridge area

Hidden Peaks Lookout

Hidden Lake with Forbidden Peak, Boston and Sahale Mountains

Hidden Peaks true summit, Eldorado and Forbidden Peak

Hidden Peaks true summit from Hidden Peak Lookout area

Views north on the trail

Mount Baker from the trail

On the trail

Mount Baker

He wanted to run down to the lake but it was just too far

Lookout House History:

This ground house lookout was built in 1931 by the U.S. Forest Service. The gable-roofed L-4 cab was also used during WWII as an Aircraft Warning Station, going by the name Mineral Park. It was staffed in 1951 by Harold Vail and last staffed in 1958. In 1961, Dr. Fred Darvill and the Skagit Alpine Club obtained a special use permit to restore and maintain the historic structure. Today the lookout is maintained by Friends of the Hidden Lake Lookout. Visitors can spend the night inside on a first come basis, year round. Hidden Lake Lookout is listed on the National Historic Lookout Register.

Cascade Lookouts