The trail is in great shape. There is 2 trees down, but easy to cross. Color is starting, a little slow compared to last year. Weather was perfect, spent an hour at the top just admiring the views. A week or two and the fall color should be great.

Started in the rain in the morning, which broke to high clouds and sun. We were excited about a loop hike and it did not disappoint. It is a gentle climb through woods then out onto rock falls before climbing to the pass. Nice lake views with a bear feeding on the slope of the lake all day. We took the short side trip to Corteo Peak which gave us incredible 360 degree views showing us the different mountain characters of the east and west sides. Mt. Baker had his head in the clouds but Mt. Shuksan was on display. Very steep descent back into the woods. A very enjoyable hike.

Arrive mid-afternoon to Rainy Pass Picnic Area, where the trailhead is located. Went clockwise on the loop trail. Please note if going left (clockwise), the trailhead for Maple Pass is located off to the right side of the initial paved trail. (I may have missed it if I weren't paying proper attention.) Start time: 3:20PM End time: 7:30PM (whew! Just before sundown.) Beautiful day, gentle light, nice and cool. Didn't have any issues with bugs/mosquitoes. Flowers still in bloom. Evidence of burn damage to some trees/shrubs on the way up. This trail was moderately difficult for me. I stopped several times to catch my breath, take pictures, and enjoy the scenery. Catch this trail before the weather turns. Totally worth the drive from Seattle.

What a beautiful hike! We even saw a bear noshing on berries in a meadow above shimmering Lake Ann. I agree with the author about going counterclockwise. Next time, though, I wouldn't complete the loop, but rather would go back down the same way we came up. The rocky and sometimes steep descent was very hard on my poor knees. There were a few good views at the beginning of the hike down, but otherwise it was far less impressive than the breathtaking views we enjoyed on the way up. We also worried about our dog -- though he is a robust hiker, the many squirrels and picas were so tempting that he nearly tumbled over the steep drop-offs on a couple of switchbacks. Also, many of the other hikers we encountered had trekking poles, which probably would've been helpful, especially on the way down. I'd rate this more as a moderate hike than easy. Then again, easy is relative in the North Cascades.

Loved, Loved, Loved this hike! I would do this again! This hike was sooo beautiful! The views were spactucalur and I loved the change of scenery. Even though the elevation was 2000 it didn't seem too steap (until the very end). We went counterclock wise and that is the way I would suggest going. Pass is required...National Forest Pass. Lots of people as we did do this on a Saturday and arrived around 10:10am. This hike took us about 4 hours total to do and that was stopping for lunch mid way through (and of course stopping for pictures throughout the hike). We will probably be going back in the fall or maybe next year. We did try to do this one last July but no luck as there was way too much snow (you couldn't even find the trail head). I give this hike a 10 out of 10!