Hidden Lake: Take a leisurely tundra stroll to a private oasis

I still struggle to explain why Hidden Lake is one of my favorite hikes in the Chugach front range, because it doesn’t have the same big payoff as, say, hiking to a high mountain peak. But the trail is a lovely, long rambling walk — just the sort I love most — and while the lake at the end is small, it’s secluded in a small bowl that makes it feel almost private.

That’s an impressive feat in South Fork Campbell Creek Valley, which hosts the uber-popular “front” trail up Flattop Mountain, among other popular hikes.

This is hike 50 in my guidebook Day Hiking Southcentral Alaska, and hike 20 in 50 Hikes Around Anchorage.

Hiking to Hidden Lake

The trail to Hidden Lake starts at the super-popular Glen Alps trailhead; I prefer hiking this trail early in the day, in part to avoid crowds but also to ensure I can get a parking spot!

From main parking area, take the broad, flattish access trail that intersects the Powerline Pass trail after 0.3 miles. Turn right onto the broad gravel road that is the Powerline Pass trail and, after another 2.2 miles, take the marked left turn for Hidden Lake. This’ll bring you down into the valley and across South Fork Campbell Creek on what is sometimes known as the German bridge.

You can bike to the bridge, but not across it; there’s actually a bike rack handy where you can stow your ride without fear that some ill-intended person might carry it off. Keep an eye out for moose and bears in this valley. They’re both quite common, but especially moose.

After the bridge, the trail climbs up the far side of the valley and quickly narrows to a little footpath, climbing up, up, and away through gentle swells of tundra. It’s easy to veer right and find yourself on one of the footpaths leading up The Wedge or to tiny (and really hard to find) Rock Lake. When in doubt, veer left and stick on the footpaths near burbling Hidden Creek that does, as you might guess, spill right out of Hidden Lake.

Hidden Lake is, in fact, so well hidden that it really sneaks up on you, about 5.2 miles from the trailhead. It’s surrounded by a dramatic, Mars-like scene of rock and scree from the flanks of 5,192-foot (Big) O’Malley Peak, which stands silent sentinel above the lake.

Side Trails to Ship Lake Pass/The Ramp/The Wedge/Rock Lake

If you’re willing to be deliberately led astray (or to keep going after you’ve visited Hidden Lake), go ahead and strike one of those footpaths that goes straight up the middle of the valley toward the obvious pass at the head of the valley.

This’ll take you past tiny Rock Lake (which is so well hidden in its own diminutive tundra bowl, you might never spot it) and up to Ship Lake Pass, where you can swing left to walk up a ridge to The Ramp, or turn right to walk a ridge toward The Wedge. (Alternatively, you could take one of the earlier swings to the right and go straight up the easier “toe” of The Wedge.)

Take care not to wander onto technical rock climbing terrain — I believe there are a few established routed on these peaks, and if you’re on the right trail you won’t need to scramble to the top.