Chain Lakes Loop — Wednesday, Sep. 3, 2025

This hike has spectacular scenery, but the exposure on a hot day. OMG!

Forecast was for mid 70s. At 2:30ish my phone was showing 87 and my car in the parking lot when we finally finished was showing 83. Gorgeous day, but so, so hot. And did I mention the exposure? Probably 80-85% of this hike was in full sun.

We arrived around 8:45 and started at Artist's Point. Took the counter clockwise route. So down 800' +/- in full sun, then full exposure for an uphill of around 1200' (with some snippets of shade), then down again to the lakes (700'?) for a quick swim and lunch. At this point I needed a helicopter.

Since that didn't happen it was onwards and more upwards of 500'ish, before the gentle downhill in the aforementioned 80+ temps to arrive exhausted at the car. And again, virtually full exposure on the last uphill and trail to the parking lot.

Will I do this hike again? Most definitely! Will it be on an overcast or very cool day? Oh hell yes!

Amazing smoke free skies today once over the first pass, but distant views were super hazy and mostly washed out to the south. There seemed to be a very distant view towards Rainier on the last stretch but the haze made it nearly impossible to tell. A portion of Baker Lake was also visible through a slot in the hills on the last leg. And a few animal sightings. 1 marmor, 1 pika and 4 or so Dusty Grouse in the two lakes basin.

There were a few places to get filtered water down in the lake basin. I drank well over a gallon today. A new record for me on a day hike.

Lots of people for a Wednesday, probably 40ish or so passed by or overtook us.

Overall a long, hot day with really nice views. My time and distance tracking got screwed up on

Total time on trail was around 6+ hours and vertical was 1788'.