Chain Lakes Loop — Monday, Sep. 8, 2025

We started at 11am at the Austin Pass / Heather Meadows Visitor Center and went counter-clockwise. Yesterday was foggy and we saw virtually nothing, we camped down the road and came back today. It was cloudy and cool when we started, but views gradually cleared up. No smoke. Saw three other dogs on the trail. The uphill (or downhill) sections were exposed - bring lots of water! It was in the 60s today but the sun was beating down on us on the ridges. I only had a liter (bottle broke yesterday) + my dog's water and could have done with two. The views are, of course, stunning, trail condition is beautiful (the bridge across Bagley Lake is my favorite). The trail passes a few streams my dog sampled and splashed in but is otherwise dry and a little dusty. Dog was a champ until we got to the descent on Wild Goose - she hates going down steep stairs and got carried down partway. We completed the loop in slightly under 4 hours, saw a bunch more groups starting clockwise from Artist's Point around 2pm as we passed through. Like another reviewer mentioned, there seems to be a bunch of trails (some social trails?) going places, so having the trail instructions or map is helpful.