Overnight backpack trip to Lake Ann. Trail is in great condition. Numerous stream crossings - trekking poles may help. A few stretches of snow still but none that were difficult (though with further melting some may be tricky).
Wildflowers in full bloom in the meadows and around Lake Ann. Bugs were pretty bad throughout. Sunset was amazing; sunrise was socked in.
Parking lot was nearly full when I arrived at 6.30am on Saturday; on Sunday morning 10am cars were parked along the road near the parking lot. I saw hikers, backpackers, and climbers. On Sunday morning at blue hour you could see the climbers headlamps on Mt Shuksan.
Negatives - I saw a blue bag "hidden" in the trees near Lake Ann. Also saw a tent just a few feet from the lake shore. Sigh.
Comments
Good intel, thanks. Would it be worth packing spikes for the snow patches or not worth the trouble? Also, did you head up the side path towards the climbing route and if so how was it? My son and I are planning to head here on Friday. Last summer it was easy to get to the National Park signpost on that path but I stopped there. Would like to go a bit farther.
Posted by:
Greg Nieminen on Jul 28, 2025 04:25 PM
Thanks. 1) On the spikes I don't think it's worth it but trekking poles might help. 2) I did not take the climber's path so don't know what that was like.
Posted by:
joyoflandscapes on Jul 28, 2025 04:57 PM
Thanks a lot! We'll check it out and even if the climber's path is a no-go the lake is awesome.
Posted by:
Greg Nieminen on Jul 28, 2025 05:13 PM
How were the bugs at the lake? Thinking of making this an overnight this week.
Posted by:
ninjaracerchick on Jul 28, 2025 05:04 PM
Bugs weren't terrible at the lake (or along the hike) but enough to be annoying. Even on a cool Sunday morning they were active because there was no wind. I ended up using my headnet during the afternoon for a bit.
Posted by:
joyoflandscapes on Jul 28, 2025 05:11 PM