TLDR but want trail conditions and a bug report: The trail from Stevens Pass to Chain and Doelle lakes is in pretty good shape. There's about a handful of trees down, mostly from the junction of Upper Icicle to Chain Lakes, but nothing too difficult to pass. The largest tree down is actually steps from the Stevens Pass parking lot and you can easily pass under it. Only a few snow patches left and they were melting quickly. Nothing to write home about. Bugs were out in force at Chain and Doelle lakes, as well as Josephine. Fortunately a fairly steady breeze kept the bugs at bay at times. Josephine had those annoying red gnats/flies? that like to fly into your eyes and ears, as well as mosquitoes. Nothing unexpected for early July and I've been in worse bug situations...
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The trail from Stevens to Josephine lake climbs up to the ridge from the trailhead -- it's interesting to see the ski area when not under a blanket of snow. There's some wildflowers out that dot the trail from Stevens to the lakes. Lots of water as well. I carried more water than I needed on the way in and reduced it on the way out.
After Josephine the trail is a bit brushy as it goes along Icicle Creek. More creek bottom flowers to dot your way. The various creek crossings were all negotiable with rock hopping.
At the Chain Lakes junction we turned up hill for a 2,000 foot ascent in two miles. If you head to Chain Lakes in one day you might swear a bit knowing this ascent is at the very end of your almost 10 mile day.
We took our time and eventually made it to the first Chain Lake. We continued on to the second Chain Lake and found a lovely campsite at the head of the lake.
On day two we explored the Doelle lakes basin. The trail from Chain Lakes to Doelle was in pretty good shape. There's a couple of snow patches at the top of the ridge between the lakes but they are melting quickly and we were able to skirt around them on solid ground.
Day three had us returning the way we came. To shorten our last day, we were either going to stop at Josephine for the night or hike to Mig Lake off the PCT. We decided to stay at Josephine as there was a steady breeze keeping the bugs down for most of the afternoon. Got in a "swim" (most would call it a dunk) which felt great after a few days out.
Toilet talk: there are toilets at Josephine, the second Chain lake and the first Doelle lake. I did not come across a single TP flower at any of the lakes. Toilets are difficult to build and maintain -- props to the Eagle Scout who installed the toilet (per the sign mounted on the toilet) for Chain lake and of course the hardworking Forest Service wilderness rangers and trail volunteers who take care of the rest!
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