Overview
The beginning of the hike takes you through a forested area. You'll be able to catch the sound of traffic coming from Hwy 20 for the first mile or so, but that fades quickly enough. After emerging from the forest, you'll wind your way around a valley before gaining the top of Cutthroat Pass. Our final destination was Snowy Lakes, so we continued on towards Granite Pass after a quick snack break. The hike along Granite Pass offers endless views of the mountains beyond. After descending a series of switchbacks, the trail winds back around into another forested area. At this point, you'll want to be keeping an eye out for a large and open group campsite on the left side of the trail. The trail leading up to Snowy Lakes splits off to the right here from the main trail. The last climb up is a doozy! Thankfully, it's over almost as soon as it begins.
Trail conditions
The trail leading up to the juncture to Snowy Lakes is in great shape, generally, and climbs very gently. The beginning of the hike can be a bit rooty/rocky at times, but you'll be fine with just a bit of vigilance. The streams are running low now, so you shouldn't have any difficulty crossing them. Watch your footing along Granite Pass, as the trail becomes a little more narrow here and there is a lot of loose rock. No snow. The last half mile up to Snowy Lakes is the most difficult portion of the hike, albeit brief. It's steep, rocky, dusty and overgrown.
Campsites
There are a handful of campsites leading up to Cutthroat Pass (at least two nice ones in the valley before the pass) and a couple at the bottom of the switchbacks after Granite Pass. Again, you'll see a large group campsite to the left of the trail across from the trail that takes you up to Snowy Lakes. It can be easy to miss if you don't notice the big campsite to the left. There are plenty of campsites at the lakes themselves, at both the upper and lower lakes. In total there were probably six or seven other small groups camped at the lakes with us, but the sites are decently spaced, and you can definitely seek out spots that offer more solitude. No toilets, so remember to practice LNT principles.
Water
There are few small streams leading up to Cutthroat Pass. There is no water after the pass until shortly before the junction to Snowy Lakes. There is water up at the lakes (obviously...).
Bugs
Thanks to the wind, there were hardly any bugs. We got lucky!
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