Welcome to the trail!
This week we’re heading back up to the high elevation territory of Powder Mountain to hike to Hidden Lake. While it’s not actually a lake, but more of a man-made pond, it is still water, which is a big plus for many a hikin’ tyke. Let’s hike!
How to get there
Drive 7.2 miles north past Valley Market in Eden on Highway 158 towards Powder Mountain. At the top of the hill, turn right on Summit Pass and drive another 1.2 miles. Follow the road around to the left and in a tenth of a mile the paved Summit Pass continues straight and a dirt road leads left and upward to the Hidden Lake Lodge parking lot. Turn left and follow the dirt road into the lot. Park near the lodge at the North end. The lot is huge so you’ll have no trouble finding a parking spot.
Trail at a glance
Distance: 1 mile one way (2 miles round trip out and back) (there is an option for an “extra credit” return that adds on another half mile, but is more scenic; I’ll tell you about it below and you can decide which is best for your family)
Elevation: 425 feet (it’s all downhill at first, so you’re climbing all the way back)
Destination: Hidden Lake (really a pond) with views of Cache Valley and the terrain park
Tyke perks: colorfully painted machinery, downhill start, view into Cache Valley, dirt piles, lift crossing, pond, rocks, warming hut with deck, faces painted rocks, rope swing, “alligator log”
Notable flora: (even in hot, dry mid-August we saw a lovely variety of wildflowers in bloom up here!) hyssop, aspen, goldenrod, dyers woad (it’s all black seeds nowadays), curlydock, aster, daisy, fir, paintbrush, geranium, lupine, mules ear (dry crispy leaves and no flowers right now), western coneflower (these are the curious black cone-shaped flowers with no petals)
Fascinating fauna: grouse, chipmunks, deer (we just saw prints on the trail), grasshoppers, flies, bees, songbirds, hawks
Watch out for: sun, bikes, cow pies, dust, trail closures (be sure to check PowMow’s twitter feed or trail status page to make sure the trails are not closed for races during the summer)
While you’re hiking
Start hiking toward the Hidden Lake Express lift, following the road around to the left of the lift and down Lodge Trail (a there’s a green ski run sign pointing the way). Just past the lift to your left you’ll see a colorful old crane that is perfect for a photo-op. After 0.4 miles, you’ll come to an intersection of dirt roads. Turn right and follow the 3 Mile road (another green ski run, marked by a high sign). After about 0.25 miles on 3 Mile, you’ll see another road forking off to the right. Stay straight. At mile 0.8 you’ll cross under the Hidden Lake Express lift. In a tenth of a mile further you’ll be able to spot Hidden Lake below you to the left. Continue on just a tenth of a mile more till the trail curves down to the pond and the shack on its shores.
The shady deck here makes for a good picnic spot. There are plenty of rocks around the lake for splashing, if that’s your thing, or you can try balancing on the “alligator” log sticking out into the water. Also note the fun faces painted onto the big boulders near the outlet of the pond and on the walls of the hut. I even spotted a rope tied into a tree on the edge of the lake that would make for a thrilling swing over the water, if you’re the daring sort.
You can return the same way you came, or if you’re feeling extra adventurous (ie want to take the scenic route), you can follow the singletrack Doctor’s Dozen trail, which starts just just past the turnout to the lake on the right side of 3 Mile. (Update 2022: it seems PowMow is discontinuing this bike trail in favor of some newly constructed downhill routes . . . you can still see remnants of it, but it is no longer labeled, and once you get up to the cat track, a “trail closed” sign greets you from the top.) You’ll switchback up the mountain through intermittent shade for about 1.7 miles (for a total round trip 2.7 mile loop).
About 0.6 miles up the hill from the lake, you’ll make a hard left into a cool shady stretch of the trail below tall firs. Another half mile further will get you to an intersection of trails. Turn right onto the cat track toward the Sunrise surface lift. In 0.15 miles you’ll pass under the lift and see signs pointing you to Hidden Lake Lodge. You’re almost there! Keep climbing the last stretch up the road back to the lodge and the parking lot. You’re done!
I love to see you sharing the hiking love with your friends and family. Thanks for joining me each week. Let me know what you think of this one. Happy trails!