We did this classic loop counterclockwise, staying at Upper eagle lake the first night and Cooney lake the second. We just missed the crowds by starting on Sunday, but arrived to a ridiculous amount of cars overflowing far down the road from the trailhead parking lot. We passed around 100 or so people hiking out on Sunday, many of whom complained about how crowded the lakes were with groups essentially camping on top of each other. We arrived at Eagle lake to find all campsites open, so we choose the best and biggest one in the middle of course! Several other groups trickled in before sunset but it was not crowded at all. On Monday we continued over Horsehead Pass which was pretty easy, and down to Boiling Lake. The slog up to Angel's Staircase is definitely the hardest section of the loop but the views are fantastic. We found Cooney Lake to be a bit more crowded with most sites already filled, but we still found a great spot just off the lake towards the privy that fit 3 tents just fine. The larches are loosing most of their needles by now but the carpet of gold is still quite beautiful even though the trees are starting to look very haggard. It's past peak here with snow in the forecast, so conditions may change rapidly going into early winter. 

**After leaving Cooney Lake, there is a quick left hand turn that we missed and isn't marked well, as did several other groups we talked to, so watch your GPS closely! It cost us a mile or so each way, and an additional 600' of climbing back up to the junction of the Martin Creek Trail. **

There isn't much water on this loop other than the lakes and a few trickles of mostly dried up streams here and there. We logged 26 miles and 5500' of climbing on Gaia, but that includes the extra 2 miles and 600' of backtracking after missing the turn after Cooney.

Larches were perfect (but just at their end) on Sunday! Such an amazing loop trail!

Decided to take a chance with the weather hoping that the storms would release their precipitation prior to getting this far east of Cascade crest.   I had been here last week and knew the larches should be primed by now.  This time I wanted to skip the any scrambling and just go for a pure trail loop with Cooney Lake being the focus.  

Road is in my opinion, in great shape.  Plenty of parking and a restroom at the TH.  Eagle Lakes Trail is in great shape as it is shared with cyclists so they ensure that trail maint is up-to-date.  About an hour into my hike, the snow flurries started and would continue throughout the day.  However, very little accumulation, even on the peaks above me. Fortunately, the cloud cover was fairly high so my views were not affected too much.

After Horsehead Pass, hopped onto the Summit Trail south.  Nice wandering here through stands of larches.  I noticed that the had taken a beating the day before as the ground was covered in their needles.  They were still looking pretty good though.  

From Summit Trail, I hopped onto Angel's Staircase.  Again, more stands of larches as you switchback up to the pass.  Great views though from the saddle. From there, worked my way to the Cooney Lake trail and looked down on the lake. Holy larches.  Perhaps the thickest stand of larches I have ever seen surround that lake.  The drop down to the lake is the most technical section of the loop as it is steep and a bit loose.

Wandering through the larches surrounding the lake felt like another world.  After the lake, hopped on the Martin Creek Trail to head back to the junction with Eagle Lakes.  This trail is in good condition.

Notes:   Plenty of running water sources along Summit Trail but the other sections are a bit sparse with the exception of the lakes.  Also, I think the larches are already on the downside and with another storm rolling in, they could lose a lot more needles.  This weekend will probably be the last prime viewing of them.  Saw three cyclists and a trail runner for the whole loop.  

Stats: around 23 miles with 5k of gain.

Started at Crater Creek Trailhead and took Eagles Lake Trail to Boiling lake, then up to Angel's Staircase and down to Cooney lake for the night. Saw several mountain and motor bike parties, but no hikers on the trail. Along the way, someone on a mountain bike said a group of motor bikers told him they were charged by a grizzly bear near Cooney lake. I laughed because this was obviously not true, but the man insisted he was serious. So that was odd...we never saw a grizzly bear, but did see a black bear on our way up to the top of Angel's Staircase. We called out and he took off running in the opposite direction, so not the kind of bear who is charging people. We saw 2 other tents at Cooney lake, and set up at the far end of the lake. My husband fished for a bit and said it was one of the best lakes he's ever fished in! In the morning we saw fresh bear tracks by the lake! *There is one confusing turn to make note of.* When leaving the lake and returning to Crater Creek Trailhead, there is a tree that says "Martin Creek Trail", you want to go left. The turn is almost hidden and we ended up going the wrong way for a little bit.