As noted in Take a Hike Seattle (and other hiking books) this is one of the best hikes near Seattle. As one of the best, it can get quite busy so you may want to do this hike on a weekday or very early in the morning. The hike is a basic trail that leads up about 1900 feet up the mountain to a great lake at the top. The trail is 90% covered by trees and makes for a great hike on hot Seattle summer days.
I did this hike in early June and there was some snow at about 3055 feet. But in a couple weeks, most of this snow should be melted away.
The trailhead is well marked and has a large paved parking lot. This parking lot also provides access to Asahel Curtis Nature trail (which is a .6 mile easy loop). For this hike, start up on the Annette Lake trail.
 |
| From Annette Lake |
Fairly quickly you will reach a well-made bridge crossing Humpback Creek.
 |
| From Annette Lake |
This day the creek was raging and very full, it made for a great photo.
 |
| From Annette Lake |
This lower section of the trail is fairly rocky and uneven. Its basically non-stop uphill from this part all the way up to near the the lake. There are a couple bridges crossing some feeder creeks, but there is also some running water crossing the trail. I would wear boots to avoid getting wet. There are a couple blowndown trees on the lower section of this hike, but all are passable.
 |
| From Annette Lake |
 |
| From Annette Lake |
After this point the trail surface improves, with a more flat, less rocky surface. You do pass under two sets of powerlines along the way. The powerlines are annoying, but they do provide some early views of the surrounding mountains.
At about 3566 feet, I reached about six snowfields covering the trail. Some of these might be melted soon -- but each one was a bit tricky in crossing. Its much easier to cross these if you have a pole. Plus one of these snowfields is very steep, so if you slip -- you will want something in your hand to stop your fall.
 |
| From Annette Lake |
 |
| From Annette Lake |
 |
| From Annette Lake |
Soon after crossing the snowfields, the trail breaks out into the open and you can see the mountains surrounding Annette Lake. There was snow still covering the trail, but it was fairly clear which way to go to reach the lake.
 |
| From Annette Lake |
Snowshoes (or yaks) are not needed at this point in the year. I did fine in regular hiking boots -- however, I was glad I had boots on and not shoes.
 |
| From Annette Lake |
After a short trip through the last wooded forest patch you reach the Lake. The pictures really dont do it justice as it was just fantastic and probably one of the BEST hikes I have done in a long time.
 |
| From Annette Lake |
After enjoying the view, simply return back down the way you came to reach the trailhead and parking lot.
View Annette Lake in a larger map
Basics:
Area - Mt Baker - Snoqualmie National Forest - Annette Lake Area
Trail - Annette Lake
Map - Green Trails Map: Snoqualime Pass Gateway, WA No. 207S
Length - 7 miles out and back - Moderate Hike (about 1,900' Elevation gain)
Trail - Lower trail can be rocky and uneven, upper trail has a better surface. Trail is well marked.
Dogs - Yes (lots of creeks along the way for water)
Bikes - No
Views - Some views along way, with the Lake being ALL VIEW
Getting There - From Seattle - Exit 47 on I-90, turn right, then left at the T-intersection. The short dirt road, leads to a large parking lot.
Weather - Mostly shady on the trail. The lake is at 3,600 feet elevation and can be very sunny.
Other Trails - Exit 47 provides a number of other hiking options.
Facilities - there a restroom at the trailhead parking lot.
Fee - Northwest Forest Pass required for parking