We missed the Larch colors, for the most part, but the hike was still beautiful with ice and snow on the trees and the clouds coming and going.
We left Seattle at 6:30am and arrived at the trail at 9:45; this includes stopping for gas and we took I-5 to hwy 20. It was about 30f degrees when we arrived at the 1/3 full trailhead parking lot.
We hiked counter clockwise, the trail was muddy or frozen mud most of the way up but no need for micro-spikes. We took the 1.2 mile side hike to lake Ann. It's an easy enough detour, mostly flat, but once at the lake there is limited shore access. I would say this side trip is not really necessary as Lake Ann is in view much of the way to the pass; and much better views than at the lake. I used my micro-spikes on the way down although most people didn't. The rainy lake side of the trail is in pretty bad condition in spots and I'm glad I had the spike on; it made negotiating the rough areas much easier and there are some exposed areas that one wouldn't want to slip from.
All in all a wonderful trail and experience and I look forward to coming back to do it again.
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