The road in is mostly washboard with no major potholes, and the second half is better than the first. The trail is a combination of hard packed dirt and loose rocks. There are numerous small creek crossings and wet spots, but all are easily navigated. The incline for the first 3 miles until the turn to Lake Ann is relatively mild. Once you turn it gets steep and the switchbacks are more like short S-curves. A short flat stretch is a good place to recover before the final steep climb to the top of the ridge overlooking Lake Ann. Once at the top there are sweeping views that include Rainier and Baker. I didn’t venture down to the lake today. I heard the steady sound of rocks falling down the peaks overlooking the lake while I sat and enjoyed lunch. Still too early for larches here but some of the shrubs and grasses are colorful.
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