A quick trip up to the ridge line allows for some great views of the Gallatin Range. It sits in an alpine cirque that rises 700-800 feet above the lake. Go south west (left) on a defined trail that follows the inlet to reach the official “Hidden Lake.” This is the highest lake and is marked as Hidden Lake on the map. There are more well established campsites at this lake too. 5 mile, the second lake is situated in the forests below a large rock buttress. After about 400 feet of vertical and another. The trail increases in steepness here and narrows a bit. Travel north and then east (right) to reach the second Hidden Lake. There are several places to camp and there are some well establish fire rings here. This is at 2.27 miles and the lake sits at 8615 feet. When it starts to head back uphill, you are almost at the first Hidden Lake. This fork is not particularly well marked. The right fork takes you to the Hidden Lakes. The left fork takes you to Golden Trout Lakes or onwards to Porcupine Creek. At 1.6 miles, there is a fork in the trail. After a stead gain in elevation for the first mile or so, a mellow ridge line is a welcome change. There are no stunning vistas as you make your way through the Montana forest. The smell of fresh dirt fills the air as you wander through forests of pines. Hidden Lakes TrailheadĪs of summer 2014, the trail saw some well deserved maintenance. The Hidden Lakes Trailhead is 6.0 miles from 191 and is located at approximately 8185 feet. Another sign about half way will point you toward the Hidden Lakes parking area and trailhead. The road gets a bit bumpier for another 2.2 miles. At this fork you can go to Windy Pass and Golden Trout Lakes or Hidden Lakes. Trend right at these forks until you see a well marked fork in the road at 3.8 miles. The Portal Creek Road is better marked when approaching from the north. It’s a nice 4×4 forest service road with several forks in the road. The Portal Creek Road is FS Road #984 and travels east from 191 into the Gallatin Range. Portal Creek is located 5.1 miles north of the Big Sky turn off on 191. It’s a hike that everyone should do at some point. The Hidden Lakes Trail takes you on a 5.85 mile journey through old growth forest to these magically beautiful lakes. Located 6.0 miles up Portal Creek in the Gallatin Range of SW Montana is a chain of 8 mountain lakes called the Hidden Lakes.

Hidden lake trail