Hidden Lake is a small, marshy depression tucked deep in thick woodlands between Rocky Ridge and Alpine Lake. Those who value the journey as much the destination will enjoy this ecologically and scenically varied route that includes spacious meadows, Douglas-fir forests, serpentine outcrops, redwood stands and sweeping views from some of Mt Tamalpais State Park's highest elevations.

Head north on the Cataract Trail through Rock Spring Meadow to the Benstein Trail (.07 miles) and veer right. The Benstein Trail rolls gently past the Simmons Trail (.17 miles : 1,948') and enters a mixed forest, its thin understory and small clearings a good place to see wildlife. The trail rises gradually through intervals of forest and meadow to a spur for Mountain Theatre (.4 miles : 2,070'), past which it steepens through a cluttered forest.

The Benstein Trail reaches Lagunitas Fire Road and merges left (.8 miles : 2,235'), then veers left again back into a busy forest (.87 miles : 2,250'). Anticipate this quick turnoff. Notable in the vicinity are madrone, a tree distinguished by its smooth, reddish bark. Climbing resumes to the trail's highest point (.95 miles : 2,266'), then drops on a winding course that levels abruptly through an ecologically curious and contrasting swath of rocky outcrops, manzanita, sargent cyprus, chaparral pea and chamise. Look for snakes in this dry and sunny area (1.1 miles : 2,090').

Forest soon reclaims the way, twisting steeply down to Benstein Trail's terminus on Laurel Dell Road (1.2 miles : 1,992'). Cross the road and pick up an unmarked piece of trail that merges with an access road leading to Potrero Camp, variously referred to as Potrero Meadow. The road skirts Potrero Meadow to the well-marked beginning of the Kent Trail (1.3 miles : 1,977').

The Kent Trail climbs to a second serpentine outcrop with rangy panoramas over inland hills and Alpine Lake (1.55 miles : 1,910'). It re-enters thick timber and pitches down once more on a rugged, occasionally faint path past connections for the Cross Country Trail (1.75 miles : 1,822') and High Marsh Trail (2.35 miles : 1,512'). From High Marsh the Kent Trail crosses East Fork Swede Gorge Creek and pushes uphill to a split for Serpentine Knoll (2.5 miles : 1,562'). Bear left and follow signs to Alpine Lake.

The trail tilts sharply down tightly wound switchbacks that gradually ease at the bottom of a redwood-lined ravine and signpost for Alpine Lake and Rocky Ridge (2.95 miles : 1,175'). Bear right toward Rocky Ridge on what is the unlabeled Stocking Trail. The Stocking Trail grows faint as it edges by the marshy, tangled shore of Hidden Lake (3.1 miles : 1,150'). Circumnavigation is all but impossible, however you can explore Hidden Lake's south shore along a short piece of the Stocking Trail before it bends away toward Rocky Ridge.