Mileage/Elevation Gain: 5.05mi/1,208ft
Weather: Sunny
Note: There's inconsistent information online about whether or not the trail is due to be closed in mid-July. I couldn't find any concrete info on any NFS sites. As of July 12th, the trailhead is open and accessible.
Parking/Road There: The trailhead is located off Mountain Loop Highway via Mount Pilchuck Road. The route is smooth the whole way through and does not require any special vehicle. When we arrived at the trailhead around 3:40pm there was plenty of space for vehicles. The lot itself can probably accommodate 20-30 vehicles.
Foot Traffic: We came across a few parties coming down on our way up and very few folks on our way down about an hour and a half later. Compared to other trails, I'd describe this one as having fairly little foot traffic.
Trail Conditions:The first quarter mile of the trail is wide and freshly graveled. Don't be fooled though -- the remainder of the trail is fairly root-y and rocky. The elevation gain is nicely distributed, with flat stretches to relieve you from the steeper grades. The trail has plenty of switchbacks in the middle stretch, although there are places where social trails have been formed across the switchbacks The trail was very approachable for me as an intermediate hiker and I would recommend it to a beginner.
Lake Experience:You'll arrive at the lake at about a mile in. There is a trail that loops around the lake -- although be aware that the trail is hard to follow in some spots. There are boardwalks over some of the marshier parts of the, some stone steps through the boulder fields adjacent to the lake and portions where the berry bushes have grown over the trail. Speaking of berries, there are plenty in this portion of the trail and we enjoyed meandering around the loop and munching on berries along the way. There are plenty of spots that make it accessible to dip into the lake although some parts closer to the glacier run-off are a bit colder. While we lounged on some of the rocks, we were joined by an adorable little pika munching away on his dinner. Keep your eyes peeled out for him and his friends at the lake.
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