Hidden Lake Backpacking Trail
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Hiking to the Hidden Lake Campground is a great way to ease your way into backpacking or give your little ones a taste of sleeping in the woods. It is a short distance from the trailhead and boasts subalpine terrain, wildlife viewing, an alpine lake, and wildflower meadows along the way. For a short trail, Hidden Lake Trail is not to be missed!
Getting there
To get to Hidden Lake, you will begin at the Fish Creek Trailhead behind the Lake Louise Ski Resort. From Banff, take the Trans-Canada Highway westbound for 35.4mi. Take the exit ramp for Lake Louise and merge right. Continue on this road until you reach Fish Creek Road. There will be signs for Skoki Lodge here that can’t be missed. Take on the gravel road that climbs uphill behind the ski resort to a parking lot. This is your trailhead.
About
| When to do | June-September |
| Backcountry Campsites | Hidden Lake Sk5 |
| Pets allowed | Yes - On Leash |
| Family friendly | Yes |
| Route Signage | Average |
| Crowd Levels | High |
| Route Type | Out and back |
Hidden Lake Backpacking Trail
Elevation Graph
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Hidden Lake Backpacking Trail Description
The trip to Hidden Lake Campground is one that appeals to a variety of mountain-goers. This route is excellent for first-timers, families, and those who put smiles before miles. Its short distance makes access a bit easier for many, yet rather than crawling through the forest, this trail is set in the subalpine and opens up nicely for views and changing scenery. This is also a great option for either Skoki Loop backpackers looking to get a head start in the late hours of the day or scramblers hoping to bag Mount Richardson, Pika Peak, and Ptarmigan Peak.
Hikers will make their way up Fish Creek Road to Temple Ski Lodge before following Corral Creek towards Hidden Lake. Continuing through the meadows, you will come to a junction at a historic cabin. Take the trail to the left, where there is a sign for Hidden Lake and you will find your camp within minutes. The historic cabin is called the Halfway Hut and served as a respite for those making the trek to Skoki Lodge in the past. Skiers and hikers still frequent this supposedly haunted cabin on day trips.
When camping at Hidden Lake, be sure to take the 1.4mi trail to Hidden Lake, as well as the 0.9mi trail up Boulder Pass to Ptarmigan Lake from the main trail.
Sample Itinerary:
- Day 1
Trailhead to Hidden Lake
Distance: 4.5mi + optional day hikes
Elevation gain: 2195ft
Campground: Hidden Lake Sk5 - Day 2
Hidden Lake to Trailhead
Distance: 4.5mi + optional day hikes
Elevation gain: 2195ft loss
Campground: None
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Giedre 3 years ago
The Skoki Area is amazing and doing some dayhikes from here is a must. Few great options: 1. Zigadenus and Myosotis lakes (ideally going forward via Deception pass, going down and crossing the river near Merlin Meadows, and back along the lakes via Packer Pass). 2. Redoubt lake: pleasant and rather short walk along the Ptarmigan Lake and up to the beautiful valley with another lake. That's around 5km's. 3. Hidden Lake, just a kilometre above the campground.