Lake Ann did not disappoint. Breathtaking vistas, meadows, glaciers, and of course the lake. It is…read morerated on the Washington Trails Association as a HARD hike. Approximately 8.2 miles round trip 1900 feet elevation gain, with the highest point 4900 feet. I do recommend getting there early, before 9am, as the parking lot is very small and fills quickly! 4 stars because of the crowds. The trail starts downhill which is a confidence booster especially when you are backpacking. But what goes down, must come up! The last mile is probably what classifies this hike as hard. Hiking up, over loose gravel and boulders and up to almost 5000 feet elevation is difficult for us non-Colorado living people. On the trail you cross many small creek beds that were almost all dried up when we went here at the end of the summer. There is plenty of water at the lake for water source. There are multiple well groomed areas for tents along the trail uphill from the lake. I appreciated these spots at night when the mosquitoes came out and we're a nuisance (only when getting water). Speaking of night... do dress for cold weather! You do get the breeze coming off of Shuksan's glaciers. Very little salmon berries left on the main trail but plenty of huckleberries left. Night time is beautiful. The sky is completely full of stars and the sound of waterfalls coming out of the glaciers is relaxing. No campfires allowed at the lake. Pack out trash and human and animal waste. Trailhead provides blue bags for this.

If you're a hiker: Lake Ann is a gorgeous place to camp! You have sweeping views of Mt Shuksan and…read moreit's cracking Upper and Lower Glaciers. Rushing waterfalls augment the flanks of these enormous sheets of ice. The lake is a deep blue and there is plenty of flat space to find the perfect camp site. If you're a climber: this makes for a LONG summit day. Best to keep moving and camp higher on the peak.

Honestly not sure if there is a better view to be had! You could just take it in from the parking…read morelot (it's worth the drive up), or embark on one of many hikes which originate from the trail head. Even the short trails give you unbeatable views of Baker and Shuksan. Definitely check snow and weather conditions before you drive up, especially in the shoulder season. It's otherwise usually closed in the winter. Will be back for sure!

World class views and potential photos here with minimal effort so long as the snow conditions are…read morenot a problem for your vehicle, driving skills, or patience.

I highly recommend visiting Mount Baker and the Picture Lake area of the mountain. The views are…read moreextraordinary, it's a great way to spend the summer. The roads to the mountain are only open in the summer.

Gorgeous as always! Perfect day for a picnic lunch- making sure not to drop any food. Pack it in…read morepack it out! Do not feed wildlife or leave any trash. There were three boys from a family who decided to walk off path and waited for them to correct their behavior. When they didn't I told them to get back on the trail- don't be one of those humans who thinks nature is there just for them. Leave it better than you found it!

Whatcom County parks are great to explore anytime of year. Silver Lake Park is no exception. The…read morepros: -Rustic cabins with killer views of pristine Silver Lake -Quiet, secluded and clean -Roomy camp sites with clear signage to direct you around the park Cons: -Rustic cabins. The cabins are old and only the Baker has a shower and toilet. Bring your own bedding, towels and kitchen supplies. The cabins are truly bare bones. -Lockboxes for cabin keys. Make sure you have the numeric code before you leave home because you'll need it to open up your cabin. No internet signal up here. You'll need to drive down to Maple Falls for internet access.

Fun place to hang out and launch a small motorized water craft, canoe, kayak or paddle board…read more Fishing is good in the morning and later in the afternoon--if you can handle the mosquitoes.

I've crossed the bridge over the Nooksack River by car and have contemplated stopping to check it…read moreout for years. This weekend, I finally did. If you are headed east on Mt. Baker Highway, turn right just before you reach the roundabout. This single lane road will lead you past the WHS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, and then the road will turn rough with gravel. Keep going about 50 more yards, and on your left, you will find about 5 parking spots in front of a grassy field. Follow the trail sign and tree-lined path to the water where you will have spectacular views of snow-capped Mt. Baker. The Nooksack river will be flowing pretty fast all year long, but is more calm along the shoreline where you might consider dipping your toes during the summer. The cold river water will feel good on a hot day. Unfortunately, the beach is rocky, so bring some sturdy water shoes for navigating the plethora of pebbles and boulders. Leashed dogs are allowed here too, but I saw plenty running free on both sides of the shore. One dog kept charging and barking at me despite his owner's best efforts to recall and control him by voice. According to one park sign, you can fish here. I'm not sure if there are designated points. I didn't see any bathroom or picnic table facilities, so "go" before you arrive and bring your own blankets, towels and chairs if you plan on hanging out. The park is open from sunrise to sunset which is great for those wanting to photograph the natural beauty of this place.

I like this hidden little park. There are about 5 parking spots available to use but the location…read moreis hidden from the street so there are seldom anyone here during the weekdays. One thing that I like a lot about this park is the open field adjacent to the river. I have flown my drone around to get footage of the river and mountains and the views are amazing! Plenty of rocky shoreline to relax by the water as well.

The lava beds are found under ground. There is a wooden stair case to enter. The cave is small but…read morewonderful. It's not much of a hike either, you park and walk a few steps and your there. Bring a sweater, flashlight and hard hat.

There is really no such thing as Lake Ann Trail from my POV. There is a pathway that leads to Lake…read moreAnn, but if your sole intention is hiking to Lake Ann, you're doing yourself a disservice. Lake Ann is mediocre. It's an average looking lake with no redeeming qualities. Let me explain what the trail to Lake Ann is really about... It's part of the much bigger MAPLE PASS TRAIL. Yes, Maple Pass is what you want!!! It's a showstopper! All Lake Ann offers is a little side-trek walk to an alpine bowl shoreline. But Maple Pass is an outstanding 7.5 mile loop trail going high above, over and around Lake Ann for stunning panoramic vista point perspectives of the Rainy Lake section of North Cascades National Park. Although there are so many wonderful hiking trails at North Cascades, I highly suggest including Maple Pass as part of your itinerary. Only heading to the "toe" of Lake Ann won't provide a successful journey or wining feeling in any sort of memorable way. Lol, if I haven't reiterated it enough, Maple Pass is the real hero trail! Let me back up just one moment... This Lake Ann - Maple Pass Trail is located in the Rainy Lake Picnic Area of the park. Be aware of this. It's not to be confused with the other side of Highway 20 and the Rainy Lake Trails side. The Picnic Area is what you want! I stopped on by around 1:30pm back over peak summertime visitation season and the Rainy Lake Picnic Area parking lot was completely full. I had to park along the shoulder of Highway 20 and walk 5 minutes to the trailhead. A lot of people were parked on Highway 20 which offers enough spacing between your car and passing traffic to feel safe. Although it's free to visit North Cascades National Park, it's a $5 fee to hike at the Rainy Lake Picnic Area. I'd suggest to be prepared with a $5 bill and or check (with a pen) to pay at the self-service station. I don't believe they accepted credit cards from what I can recall. Btw, if you are curious as to what Rainy Lake actually looks like, if you veer left from the trailhead, it's a casual 0.9 mile walk (each way) along flat ground. But Rainy Lake is nothing special either. Just like Lake Ann, I'd skip Rainy Lake. Start the hike to Maple Pass because it could take half the day, especially if you spend time at the summit admiring the sweeping views. And if you are curious as to what Lake Ann may look like, you'll find the side path for it right before the elevated climb beginning up towards Maple Pass. Overall, I'd rate Maple Pass as strenuous, but if you manage your time well and stop for photos, you'll be handsomely rewarded with dramatic sights looking down upon Lake Ann and even be eye level with the rugged peaks of the North Cascades Mountain Range! Trekking higher on Maple Pass...Heather Pass is about 3/4ths of the way up the mountain. And it's here at Heather Pass where the scenery starts to thrill. Eventually the entire 360 degree landscape opens up with unlimited opportunities to bask in the glow of nature. At this point, Lake Ann will look like a little blip on the radar in the context of how high up the mountainside you are. It's at the height of the hike and coming upon Maple Pass where I felt contentment knowing all the hard work and grinding uphill was worth it. Finally, the descent back down the mountainside starts with an immediate set of switchbacks among a gorgeous cliffside backdrop before reentering below the tree-line horizon again. This back-half section finishing the total loop will add an extra 90 or so minutes making the entire Maple Pass Trail 5 hours long (including briefly stopping at Lake Ann), which is more than manageable for any moderately motivated hiker. Overall, North Cascades is one of the most underappreciated national parks in the USA and there's an abundance of amazing hikes here that barely get any sort of recognition. Although Lake Ann doesn't stand out whatsoever, it's Maple Pass Trail climbing above the bowl that Lake Ann's situated in that's the ultimate prize for the difficult endeavor.

First, the bad news: this trail is uphill both-ways…read more Sure, you'll feel cool hiking in. "Wow, this is easy", you'll exclaim. It's easy because you're losing 500 ft of gain, right off the bat. You're gonna have to go back up on the way out! Anyway, it's a great trail. It can have lots of downed trees on it early season and it can take a while to melt out so, DO YOUR RESEARCH! Some years there's snow on the trail well into August! The trail ends at Lake Ann. It's a gorgeous area. Only climbers should start to venture out of the Lake Ann area and towards the mountain. #safetyfirst

The amazing power of these falls... just be sure to stay on the trail and don't be a stupid human…read moretrying to get the ultimate selfie that'll cost you your life!!! Observe and respect Mother Nature! just gorgeous

Nooksack Falls truly took my breath away. The drive there alone on Mount Baker Highway was…read moreexquisite. What is so mind blowing about a waterfall? Everything. I believe you feel a sense of peace in the presence of one. The sound of the powerful water, the mist surrounding, and the wet air is quite the moment.