Lake Ann (Rainy Pass)

The trail to Lake Ann is a wonderful, short way to see the impressive glaciated valley encircled by the popular Heather - Maple Pass Loop. Lake Ann features views of ridgelines blanketed in wildflowers in summer, a lake ringed with golden larches in fall, and before the highway closes for the season, a dramatic place to experience early winter’s snows.

From the large parking lot off Highway 20, the trail heads counter-clockwise, moving uphill moderately through second-growth forest and dappled sunlight. After about 1.25 miles, arrive at a junction with a trail branching left to Lake Ann, a jewel cradled in a talus bowl, a glacial cirque created in eons past.

Take the righthand trail to the lake. It's just another 0.3 miles to the east shore, where driftwood in the lake makes a good picnic spot if you're confident about being able to move along it. Otherwise, stick to the meadows alongside the lake.

Either way, gaze upwards. From the shore of Lake Ann, you'll bask in a view of the pass that hikers toil and sweat to achieve on the Heather - Maple Pass Loop. Take in the golden larches if it's autumn, and slap on some sunscreen if it's summer -- the impressive views from the lake are available because no trees block your view, but that also means nothing's blocking your skin from the sun!