This was actually Day 2 of my hiking adventures and Day 1 of this backpacking trip. Today's plan was to hike into wilderness backcountry SK5 Hidden Lake Camp to use as a base to further explorations the following day.
The first 3.9 km up the Temple fire road at the start of this hike is an un inspiring slog. Once you get onto the forested trail you are on your way to a classic subalpine valley.
After traveling two kilometers or so through coniferous trees (including subalpine larches), you reach open meadows. Here, amid rugged peaks, you are rewarded with a feeling of spaciousness.
0.0 – Fish Creek parking area (elevation 1690 m). Head up the Temple fire road, which rises on a steady grade. Keep straight at the two junctions encountered..(Lots of sweat and catch my breath stops for me with my full pack on my back.)
3.9 – End of the fire road. Turn right up short steep incline, then proceed north, climbing gradually..
6.8 – Reach open meadows and cross Corral Creek to west side.
7.3 – Cross stream from Hidden Lake and keep left. (Halfway Hut day-use shelter to right.)
7.4 – Junction (2195 m). Backcountry campground and Hidden Lake trail to left. The right trail leads to Boulder Pass, that soon begins a steady ascent.
With camp set up and my food stored on the bear pole I hiked into Hidden Lake and scrambled a short way onto the slope of Mount Richardson for a better view and a place to relax and enjoy the mountain peace. With further time to spare I hiked up to Boulder Pass for a view of Ptarmigan Lake to scout a preview of my next day's day hiking adventure through Deception Pass, a scramble onto the southwest slope of Fossil Mountain, descent into Skoki Lodge and a return via Skoki Lakes and Packer's Pass.