Hiking - Hidden Creek Trail

Hidden Creek

Stats

Distance:  2.6 miles                     Difficulty: Easy to Moderate                            Time:  2 hrs

Summary

The best part of the Hidden Creek Trail is when it meets up with the marshlands

at Hidden Creek.  The trail winds up through a spuce forest, through an area that was burned out in a forest fire in 1996, and ends on the shores of Skilak Lake.

Opinion

This is turning into one of our favorite short hikes.  The hike is not too difficult, the changing scenery in the fire ravage region is fascinating, and the views of the creek are beautiful.

Trail Advice

As always, mosquito repellent is vital.  The mosquitos and biting flies hang out in the shadows just waiting for dinner.

If it has been raining, the trail can be muddy in spots although there is a boardwalk in the worst places.

Suitability

This trail is suitable for adults and children.

Trailhead

To find the Hidden Creek Trail take Skilak Lake Rd from the Sterling Hwy.  Skilak Lake Rd is a loop of sorts that starts and ends at Sterling Hwy.  There is an East entrance just outside Cooper Landing and a West entrance a few miles outside Sterling.  You can take either entrance, but Skilak Rd can be rough if it hasn’t been groomed recently so in spring taking the Cooper Landing entrance is advisable.  The trailhead is 4.6 miles from the Cooper Landing entrance.  The parking area is on the north side of the road and the trail is on the south side.  It is well labeled.

The Hike

This trail is one of many in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.  The maps for these trails can be found on the Kenai Refuge Map website.  We chose this trail because a friend recommended it.

Fork in the Road

Boardwalk Through
Marshy Ground

The trail starts with a long gentle descent through a spruce forest.  About half a mile in, the trail breaks out into an area that was burned in 1996.  On clear days, there are spectacular views out over the hills and valleys of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.  Soon after entering the burn zone you come on a sign that says Skilak Lake straight ahead and Hidden Creek to the left.  In truth, the trail is a loop, so you can get to everything by going either direction.  We usually choose to go left toward Hidden Creek.

Marshlands

Wild Iris

The trail quickly goes back into the woods, but these woods are more open.  As you approach Hidden Creek there is a slight diversion to the left that goes a short distance into a marsh created by a backwater section of the creek.  This are is worth diverting into.  The grasses and shallow water make for a lovely view and in June the wild irises are often in bloom in little pockets throughout the marsh.  

Bluebells

After you have finished enjoying the view and listening to the birds, you backtrack slightly to return to the trail.  The woods here are home to a variety of wildflowers including wild iris, bluebells, and lupines.  On this stretch of the trail it is worthwhile to look closely along the sides of the trail for a variety of flora.  The trail also offers delightful views of the Hidden Creek and its grassy marshlands.  The reflections are beautiful.

We haven't seen any large wildlife, but there are moose and bears in the area based on the prints and scat we've found on the trail.

The Shore of
Skilak Lake

The trail eventually leads to the shores of Skilak Lake.  The shore is made up of coarse sand and water-smoothed rock.  We have been on this trail twice.  Both times the shore was littered with fallen spruce trees that had been pushed there by the wind.  The fallen trees make a good seat for a picnic lunch if you are so inclined.  The second time the water level in the lake was so high there was barely any beach.  Here you have a choice.  The trail loop cuts back into the woods a short distance down the beach.  However, if the water isn’t too high, you can also wander down the beach for a fair distance before returning to the trail.

Quaking Aspen

The trail from Skilak Lake goes back through the open woods and cuts through several stands of quaking aspen and cottonwood before rejoining the main trail.

Low Bush Cranberry (Lingonberry)

This is a lovely and quick summer hike.  Skilak Lake Road is worth a drive (unless it is really torn up from the winter).  There are several pullouts with lovely scenic views.  There are many trails heading off along the length of the road.  Some are covered in this blog, but we have barely scratched the surface.

A View from Skilak Lake Road