Lake Ann (Mount Baker Highway) — Friday, Jul. 26, 2024

If planning to stay the night, be sure to grab 'blue bags' at the trailhead or bring your own, for your toilet waste.  There is no privy at the lake and no appropriate spaces for digging cat holes to bury waste. It also states at the trailhead that all overnighters require a permit to camp which can be obtained at the ranger station in Glacier.  Lots of wildflowers blooming in the meadows.  Almost completely snow free, just a very small patch at the saddle and the lake to cross over. The trail is in great shape.  The hike up from the alpine meadow to the lake is very rocky and exposed. Lake was still mostly frozen but melting out quickly.  Friday night the camp sites were mostly full but everyone was well behaved and quiet so it was very peaceful.  Several people camping with dogs, which were also well behaved.  Since most of the snow has melted there were not any additional snow patches to camp on.  Lots and lots of day hikers.  We hiked out on Saturday mid day and passed LOTS of day hikers and overnighters, so I think Saturday night was probably crowded.  Walked on the trail from Lake Ann toward the Curtis Glacier in the morning, and it is definetly worth walking at least part of the way toward to glacier because there are gorgeous streams and meadows and views all the way down the valley to Baker Lake.  Hard to believe that there is such amazing scenary for such low effort.