Annette Lake — Thursday, Jul. 27, 2023

Annette Lake is simply magical. Forget that you're close to a major roadway, close to a major city, close to... anything, really. Annette Lake trail feels like you've been transported to another place altogether.

Despite its moderate/hard rating, the trail is fairly mild - not as rocky or steep as Si or Tenneriffe, with frequent but very well-maintained stairs and just absolutely lovely meadows and vistas. Hikers pass through swathes of fireweed buzzing with bumblebees, interesting rocky washouts, fragrant stands of hemlock and cedar, and are rewarded with a pristine alpine lake surrounded by ancient-looking rocky pinnacles and the chatter and chorus of crows. If you remembered a bathing suit and towel, take a swim in the clear lake - the water was cold but not unbearable.

This is one of those hikes that I started planning a return to as soon as I got back down to the TH. 10/10, can't wait to hike this one again.