The Hidden Meadow Trail at Glacier National Park near West Glacier, Montana is an easy 2.5-mile out-and-back hike that leads to a beautiful "hidden" meadow with views of a pond and distant mountains.
The hike back to parking is easy as it follows a mostly-flat undulating trail that eventually leads back downhill to the trailhead. Along the way, you can enjoy similar, but different views of the same Quaking Aspen trees on your way out. These trees are worth seeking out during Autumn as their leaves turn a vibrant yellow which sit juxtaposed to neighboring evergreen hemlock and spruce.
Hiking to Hidden Meadow
The hike out to Hidden Meadow is straight forward as the hike follows a single trail out-and-back. Hikers will begin at the main trailhead, located on the east side of the dirt road, North Fork Road. The Hidden Meadow Trail follows a moderate grade as it climbs uphill at just over 200-feet in elevation gain before it levels out for the remainder of the hike out to the meadow and water view. Along the way, you'll pass through a forest predominantly made-up of Western Larch and White Pine trees which appeared to be newer growth, as of the last 30 years or so. The forest is dense with white pine trees but every now and then you'll pass through sections of Quaking Aspen trees, with more aspen trees located closer to the meadow. The trail finally leads hikers out into the Hidden Meadow around mile 1.2 where you'll find a split in the trail -- this route follow both directions, however the first dead-ends with a decent view of the meadow ahead. The best view, however, is from further up on the hill -- located near the massive old-growth western red cedar tree. As of September 2024, the trail was a bit overgrown at the initial junction where you leave the woods, so push through the overgrowth (if need be) to head toward the large tree. From near the tree, hikers will find a view of the pond with jutting white spruce trees that adorn the skyline behind it. Hidden Meadow is significantly larger than we expected, so we did not hike out to the pond but rather enjoyed the views from the old growth. In the distance are mountain ranges that sit behind the scenic white spruce trees and provide a relaxing place for hikers to hang out or wait for wildlife to potentially pass by in search of a drink at the pond.The hike back to parking is easy as it follows a mostly-flat undulating trail that eventually leads back downhill to the trailhead. Along the way, you can enjoy similar, but different views of the same Quaking Aspen trees on your way out. These trees are worth seeking out during Autumn as their leaves turn a vibrant yellow which sit juxtaposed to neighboring evergreen hemlock and spruce.
