Since the other reports below me have done such a good job of describing the profile of the trail to Flapjacks, I will only report on the current conditions. Snow! The trail is free of snow and pretty clear until the junction at Blk/Wht lakes. There are a few trees down, but nothing that is not impassable. The wooden plank bridges are still slippery in places, with everyone falling the exact same spot. The last half mile is almost pure snow, but do-able with just gaiters and loaded packs, the prints make it easy enough to find your way up. We slept on snow for the first time. The snow is about 4 feet in places with bare spots under trees, making it easy to cook and unpack. The lakes are beautiful but frozen over making exploring difficult. The fish aren't biting either. All in all a good trip. We heard an avalanche or slide on Sat. 16. We couldn't find the ranger on the way out, but Wagonwheel LK day register reports debris covering their trail. Bear precautions in all the area. We didn't see any signs, but that doesnt mean they aren't there. A good trip all in all- and a feeling of satisfaction when you reach the top. Oh yes, Mt Gladys and Blk/Wht are reported to be impassable d/t snow at this time.

Sunday 10/19/97 The weather conditions were dry but overcast at 6:30am when we left Tacoma. By the time we arrived at the Staircase Trailhead(Hoodsport), the clouds had cleared and the sun was shining. We parked the car and started at 8:30am. The temperature was a bit cool, but not unpleasant. The first 4 miles are fairly flat, only going up about 500 feet total. The trail is very wide, heavily travelled and well maintained up to this point. After a short break at the trail junction, we started up the Flapjack Lakes main trail. The junction elevation is around 1500 feet and from there climbs steadily up to about 4000 feet in 4 more miles. The trail switchbacks with a steady climb up to Madeline Creek, which has a good campsite(2 miles from junction) and then meanders its way along. Careful while crossing the planks and bridges as they are moss covered and very slick. The trail is now clear of logs and in good shape (compared to February 97 conditions) There is one slide area that has had some work done on it, making it easier to cross. All in all, the trail is in good shape. A welcome sight was a new sign at the point where the trail splits off to either Black and White Lakes or Flapjack Lakes. This point was easy to miss during the summer and almost guaranteed to be missed during the winter. The last mile is quite steep and ends right at the lakes. Mt. Lincoln and Mt. Cruiser are the views with other hills, mountains and ridges in the distance. We arrived at the lake at about 12:15pm, ate lunch and started back down at about 1:10pm. We arrived back at the car at around 5:10pm There are fish in the lakes, for those interested. Overniters require a reservation due to a 30 person limit. The trail is in very good shape and winter trailfinding should be much less difficult, with the addition of the one sign. There was no snow at the lakes, but was some frost beside the lakes (in the shadows).