Hidden Lake (Lake Wenatchee)
Central CascadesBest Year-round
Quick old-growth stroll to a quiet lake near Lake Wenatchee, good for families year-round.
About This Trail
Hidden Lake is a short, flat trail near Lake Wenatchee that makes an excellent family outing or leg-stretcher. The path covers less than a mile each way through old-growth fir and cedar, with a wide, easy-grade tread. Look for "cave trees" along the way: ancient cedars with lightning-burned hollow cavities at their bases. Peek-a-boo views of Lake Wenatchee and Dirty Face Mountain appear through gaps in the canopy.
The lake itself is a quiet, shallow body of water surrounded by large ponderosa pines. Minnows and other aquatic life are visible in the clear water. An optional loop extension (2.5 miles total) descends to Glacier View Campground and offers views of Glacier Peak across Lake Wenatchee.
The trail is snowshoe-friendly in winter via the plowed Cedar Brae Road, though the last half-mile of road to the trailhead may not be plowed and could require extra walking. Some blowdowns cross the trail but are navigable, and kids enjoy climbing over them. A Northwest Forest Pass is required.
Seasonal Highlights
Astronomy
Trail Conditions
Some downed trees across the trail but easily navigated. Trail is in good shape otherwise. Spring may require parking on the shoulder half a mile from trailhead due to road snow.
“A nice picnic spot it does make.”
Last report: Apr 18, 2026
Scorecard
Lightly visited even in summer. Most Lake Wenatchee visitors head to the state park beaches instead.
Permits / Passes
Safety & Considerations
Today's Hazard
- Strong sun — sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses recommended
Persistent Hazards
- Blowdowns across trail may require climbing over/under
- Winter road access may require extra walking if road not plowed to trailhead
Getting There
Small trailhead lot. Northwest Forest Pass required. Winter access road may not be plowed the last half-mile.
Near Lake Wenatchee, accessed via Cedar Brae Road. Road is plowed in winter but may not reach the trailhead.
Recent Reports
This is less of a hike and more of a walk to a picnic spot. A nice picnic spot it does make.
We were staying at Lake Wenatchee State Park for the weekend and decided to check out this short hike. I am unsure of the road conditions to the trailhead since we decided to paddle our canoe from the state park to the Glacier View Campground.
Our Grizzly Bears Hike-a-thon team braved the downed trees (my granddaughter loved climbing over and under them), and the extreme rigor of the hike (1 mile each way! ) to reach Hidden Lake, which teemed with minnows and other critters.
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