LAKE ANN
A moderate hike to a beautiful lake with stunning views of Mount Shuksan. The hike along the way is nearly as beautiful as you hike through a stunning meadow and across slopes with sweeping views. This is one you definitely don’t want to miss!
Quick Facts:
Distance: 8.6 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 2400 feet
Location: Lake Ann Trailhead, Mount Baker Wilderness, Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest
Season: Mid Summer-Fall
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Parking Pass: Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass
Check the weather: mountain-forecast, weather.gov
Check for recent trip reports: WTA, AllTrails
Notes: This is a very popular hike so try to go on a weekday or very early on a weekend. While you’re in the area you absolutely have to make a trip up to Artist Point for amazing views of Mount Shuksan and Mount Baker.
Getting there:
Click here for the TH location on Google Maps
The directions linked ahead are accurate, but you should note that the last mile before the trailhead closes each winter. You can check the WSDOT site for Artist Point to see if the road has opened for this year – if it hasn’t, it’s likely there is still quite a bit of snow on the trail and you should probably delay your hike to later in the season.
View of Mount Shuksan from near Lake Ann, September 2020
Trail up to the lake basin, September 2020
Hike description:
You’ll begin this hike just off the side of Highway 542 and start by hiking a moderate downhill trail, staying to the right at an intersection with a trail down to Heather Meadows. For the first mile you’ll lose about 700 feet as you hike through the woods. At the bottom of the hillside you’ll emerge into a beautiful meadow full of clear creeks and with great views of surrounding peaks.
The views continue as you hike slightly downhill for the next 1.4 miles, when you’ll reach a signed intersection with the PNT. Stay to the left here and almost immediately begin a moderate climb as you switchback up an open slope, gaining 1000 feet in the next 1.5 miles. The views here are really wonderful as you look behind you to see Mount Baker and its surrounding peaks and all around you even closer summits come into view.
View of cloudy Mount Baker from the trail, September 2020
Heading down to Lake Ann, September 2020
At 3.9 miles you top out at the saddle overlooking Lake Ann and the views suddenly open up to the south. Below you is beautiful blue Lake Ann and beyond that a dramatic dropoff reveals views of faraway peaks. To your left Mount Shuksan is almost so close you can touch it, and as you hike around Lake Ann these views only get better, with up-close views of glaciers and dramatic waterfalls.
This area is so beautiful, so make sure to take your time exploring and soaking in the views. You can take a path down to the lakeshore, and the rock at the south end of the lake makes for a great lunch spot before heading back to your car.