Your first glimpse at the Hidden Lake Lookout Cabin in North Cascades National Park may be a little discouraging. There it sits, far above the trail, miles ahead of you, perched on what look like sharp fingers of rock clawing toward the blue sky. To get to the cabin means a roughly four-mile hike from dense pine forests and stream crossings, to lush meadows and drainages filled with wildflowers and blueberries in the summer, and then to bare granite and steady switchbacks at 6,900 feet in elevation, an elevation gain of about 3,300 feet.
Finally, the cabin swings into view. You just have to pick your way through a boulder field to get there. Your reward for the lung-busting is a stunning array of some of the Cascades’ most revered and challenged peaks: Boston, Sahale, Snowking, Glacier, Eldorado, Torment, and Forbidden North Cascade, all lined up as if posing for a group photo. On especially clear days, the snowy snout of distant Mt. Rainier may poke its way into view. Below lies the deep blue paradise of Hidden Lake. Not so hidden anymore.
Photo: Paul Wheeler
You’ll want to approach this cabin on sunny, pleasant days, unless you’re comfortable in difficult alpine conditions. Snow can remain preserved in gullies surrounding the cabin well into the summer.
The cabin was built in 1932 and used as a fire lookout for two decades before being decommissioned in the early 1950s. For a time, the Skagit Alpine Club used the cabin as a shelter. One of their members, Fred Darvill, a man instrumental in the creation of North Cascades National Park, kept up the cabin for public use but also as a kind of historical monument. Today it’s operated by the Friends of the Hidden Lake Lookout.
You can spend a night in the cabin for a small donation, somewhere in the $15-25 range. First climbed, first served.
Photo: Leaf Peterson
Photo: Jeff Hollett
The Hidden Lake Trail, cabin just barely visible peeking out from the peak above. Photo: Martin Bravenboer
Hidden Lake below the cabin. Photo: Peter Stevens
Nice article. Are you saying you don’t find out if the cabin is occupied until you actually get there? Are there other nearby options for camping if you strike out at the cabin? Thanks.
That’s right. No reservations – if it’s occupied you can camp below next to Hidden Lake. You’ll need a permit for lake camping, but no permit needed for the lookout.
This North Cascades Cabin in the Clouds Is First Hiked, First Served
BY JUSTIN HOUSMAN | APRIL 29, 2022
I’m puzzled that article says April 29, 2022 while comments are from February 2019.
Sometimes we repost older pieces.
There are many camp spots along the trail before you cross into the National Park that only require a self issued permit at the trailhead.
I camped below the cabin for 1 night and waited til the people left around 8 am the next day. Probably 30 more people came in that day to try to get it.
The race is on 😉
Beautiful spot, but insanely overwhelmed with people. The popularity of this spot is always increasing thanks to the insatiable need to “get the instagram shot”… Be aware of road conditions. There is little to no room for cars to pass each other if you encounter someone heading out. The road near the trailhead can see quite a bit of cars, which can make turning around pretty tricky. Enjoy this beautiful area if you go, but please respect it. If you are seeking mountain solitude, this isn’t the spot for you.
Snowking Aviation flys by this lookout if you want to photograph it from the air!
I have camped at the lake with friends. If you go during the week early you might be able to snag the cabin. It’s beautiful up there.
Dude don’t go to this place! Last time I was there someone got murdered and there was blood all over. There were 30 loose unleased dogs since this area isnt in the national park boundaries, poop bags everywhere, and two dudes wearing MAGA hats chanting Trump 2020! Then the approach is wicked brutal. Better stick to mt si where the views are great, the hike is easy, and you’re close to help if needed!
I have a hard time believing the Maga hats part…sounds like a liberals smear tactic s attempt to get people who enjoy the outdoors to associate Trumpers and non Democrats with murder littering and destroying peace and quiet.
A nice try but I don’t know too many people that are going to wear maga hat outdoors hiking due to the fact that you’re not supposed to dress up like the American flag when you’re going out to enjoy the wildlife in the Flora & to Fauna
You conventionally try to blend in.
Or not be the most conspicuous thing out there for miles
So what if they did have Maga Hats
i love the outdoors. i never ask a political question on the trail. who would. except you of course. you should stick to climbing the slide with your kids and leave the outdoor enjoyment to those who appreciate it.
I’ve been there, and reservations were required at the ranger station when I was there.
I’ve been there! In my opinion, Boston Basin is the most beautiful place in Washington, a state full of natural beauty. It’s even better from the summit of Sahale.
wow. really bad form to post first-come first-serve cabins. even worse for lookouts…
not worth the clicks or the profit from them…
There are no “dense pine forests” in Western Washington. They are Douglas Firs, cedars, hemlocks and spruce.
When you get to the east side of the Cascade Range, the beautiful Ponderosa pines grow fairly dispersed.
The Douglas Fir IS a pine
You are required to have a permit to overnight/camp in the North Cascades. Permits are limited. Respect this area or stay away.
You claim “ethical, environmenatllyl responsible journalism” on your website, yet this post is a blatant contradiction. By posting this on the internet, you have given the impression that this is some walk in the park (which it isn’t) and have invited even more hoards of people to the back country which is already suffering irreptable environmental harm from the impact. In 2019, Rachel Lakoduk lost her life trying to get to the lookout. She was not prepared for the elements and her body was discovered two years later in her sleeping bag under a log. She never made it to the lookout. Our wilderness is disappearing and is being destroyed by posts like this. Where is the responsiblity you boast about? Looks like your magazine is based in Colorado. Here is an idea – if you want to continue to act irresponsibly and destroy more wilderness, why don’t you consider containing it to Colorado and leave Washington State out of it. Just a thought.
This is probably the most laughably off base comment I’ve read in a decade, but thanks for reading! What on earth gives you the impression we’re based in Colorado? I think I’ve been there three times in my life.
I have been there multiple times. It’s not hard. I think someone with some basic sense of navigation and understanding of being outdoors can easily make it. I would say most people are not experienced even the ones who say they are. My years with SAR have proven this. They don’t destroy the wilderness others do. And people have been dieing in the mountains for 100s of years. This isn’t new.
Absolutely agree! This state is ruined and these people are helping to make sure our wilderness gets the same treatment! I love two miles from Nisqually entrance to Rainier and it’s totally ruined by bad management ant horrible disrespectful people and our community is disgusted and fed up!
QUIT SELLING OUT OUR WILD AREAS!!!!!
Go fly a kite
Additional information can be found on the Washington Trails Website as well as recent trip reports. Early season this is not a place for the inexperienced and it has been an area that has seen two deaths recently.
https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/hidden-lake-lookout
Another important thing to remember is that you are supposed to have the decency and common courtesy to do your best to replace whatever you use during your stay in the lookout. Or, at the very least, do the best you can with what you hiked in with. Try to remember that in an emergency, that lookout might be utilized to escape harsh and/or dangerous weather conditions. Whatever supplies are there might be all someone or several someone’s will have to survive on/with in the event that something necessitates that happening.
I hope most hut users understand that about any hut. I hope that, but I don’t expect it, of course.
If you don’t expect hikers to respect the rules of the backcountry then why are you posting fluff prieces encouraging people? Maybe you should try to educate people properly. Oh right, you don’t care about that. You just want the clicks for ad revenue.
Sad
Devin, if you care to look through our archives, you’ll see we’ve posted DOZENS of articles about backcountry etiquette. You’d be hard pressed to find a outlet more committed to proper ways of being out there than us. This hut is not a secret, by any means. Just look at the comments, many of which point out that it’s crowded. We don’t blow secret spots here, never have.
I think this is a great article and would like to address the person talking about everybody ruining their nature. Sounds like you’ve been very privileged for a very long time and perhaps should lead the effort in cleaning up derelict areas can continue to enjoy it as well as others who don’t have your good fortune. I agree it’s a shame there are disrespectful people about, but perhaps your energy would be best spent educating those offenders directly.
Jimmy- this has nothing to do with being privileged. Making sure our trails are not overused is not privileged. Who says these people complaining don’t help clean up? You don’t know what efforts these people give to help maintain our trails. I myself donate monthly to Washington Trails Association to ensure they have resources needed to maintain the trails. And how do you suggest we educate and reach those that are disrespectful? Stand at trailheads and approach hikers? Because I can guarantee all you would get is rudeness. There is a reason these people destroy nature. And the author has several glaring mistakes in this article. From the type of forest, to the requirements for backcountry permits. This is not a good article.
There are no permits required for this hut, and if “pine trees” is what you’re objecting to, apologies. Douglas firs are not true pine trees as a botanist would understand the term, so, our apologies there. There are no glaring mistakes here.
Likewise, while advanced permits are req’d to camp around the lake in the National Park, the trail through the National Forest to the base of Hidden Lake Peak and the lookout allows dispersed camping with permits issued at the trailhead, as I recall. What I see happen is people will find the lookout occupied, then head down to the lake without a NP permit, which is not allowed.
I 100% not interested in what anyone has to say about this issue. Go or don’t go. Your life. My issue is the National Parks belong to the people of America, our nation. Reserved for our Nation. I agree wholeheartedly no trace of visit should occur. Here’s my issue: I have a free pass for State and National parks. Never paid never will. Americans work hard and pay taxes. I will never pay for what already belongs to me. I will always respect our parks with undying love
I love it! Sometimes the comments are as entertaining as the articles.
So…. you read an article that came from something called ” Adventure Journal” and you are appalled because it turned out to be someone’s . . . journal about an adventure???? What did you expect to find? someone’s trip report about shopping at the grocery store? Maybe someone’s trip to the mall?
Are you this appalled when it’s somewhere YOU never heard about or have never been? Or is this just a special place that should just be reserved for you?
All journalism related to outdoor activities should be banned! If we don’t tell THEM about it maybe they won’t know it’s there and we can keep it all to ourselves.
Keep it up Justin, great article! Keep ’em coming!
Matt,
You have obliviously not experienced these places before the hoards did. Your comment illustrates your inexperience and lack of responsibility to the back country. It’s a new day and different reality. Enjoy the crowds and I will enjoy my memories of these places without another soul in sight.
Peace out