[wisedamian22]

Hey guys. Does anyone have any information on the current winter route conditions to Hidden Lake Lookout? (As in, has anyone been up for an overnighter recently) I see that the current weather and avalanche conditions look pretty sketch for the next few days but was wondering if anyone has been up there this year? How sketchy is the cornice at the traverse section? I'll be flying in from Vermont on Thursday. Weather predictions look pretty good for a hike up on Friday (if avalanche conditions agree)

[gb]

I think the OP is not realistic. While this route requires significant avalanche skills, the most important of those skills is to know when to say no. With the recent very cold weather there will be a layering problem in new snow in several significant coming storms.

[Randito]

The summer hiking trail travels through terrain exposed to significant avalanche hazard. There are lower risk approaches from the summer parking lot. But you really need knowledge of snow stability and how it interacts with the terrain to manage the risk effectively. Following another's gpx route wouldn't be able to take into account current snow conditions. Recently there have been some serious avalanche accidents (including a triple fatality) in various places in the Cascades from wind transported snow forming unstable slabs on a variety of aspects. If you lack the training to self evaluate snow stability on the terrain you are traveling on, it's quite a gamble, particularly under the current conditions.

[wisedamian22]

Z, GB and Randito Thank you for the response. I am aware of the fatalities over the last three years at this location. I am also aware of the 3 fatalities last week within the cascades. I have no issues backing away and saying "no" if the conditions aren't right. I have also seen quite a few blogs about successful completion of this route during the winter. I am looking for anyone that has successfully hiked this route in 2023. Thank you again for your response. Damian

[raising3hikers]

Fyi, the cascade river road is closed at mp 6 due to a rock slide since November

[Randito]

[wisedamian22]

Randito What is hard to understand? Have you hiked this route over this winter? If not, I would prefer to keep this thread minimized to those that have. I'm looking for insight on this particular hike, not a lesson on understanding terrain conditions or following a GPX. Thank you

[thuja]

You should consider a winter attempt at HLL to be a winter mountaineering trip, NOT a hike.

[wisedamian22]

Bravo Thuja, NWHiker should give you a gold star for that response.

[snowmonkey]

wisedamian are you for real? Informative, local, seasoned advice is being given. All worthy of gold stars-offered for your benefit.

[Tom]

I wouldn't discount the experience, folks here are not sugar coating the risks for genuine reasons. I've been up there in early March when you can drive up a good portion of the road. We did not bother with the lookout which looked somewhat sketchy to reach although there was a more experienced party that did and stayed up there. Best of luck if you go.

[wisedamian22]

Snow monkey Are you serious? Condescending remarks aren't what I would call advice. About as useful as your comment. Tom Thank you. This information is helpful and will be used to help in my final decision making. I'll update if I decide to pursue this adventure when I land next Thursday. Cheers

[Schroder]

We're having a major winter storm here right now. There aren't going to be avalanche stable conditions by next weekend up there. I've been up HLP many times in the winter and there never were conditions I considered safe under that cornice. The main peak offers a much better winter summit. Please carry a beacon if decide to go.

[Malachai Constant]

A beacon and a satellite device InReach, spot, etc. Is this a troll?

[wisedamian22]

Excellent advice. Thanks Schroder! Malachi "A beacon and a satellite device InReach, spot, etc. Is this a troll?" Maybe. Might even send up a weather balloon to see the fireworks