Some trails are just worth the effort it takes to hike them. Annette Lake Trail is one of those trails, and I would recommend it to anyone in shape enough to tackle the elevation and distance.
I worked out lightly throughout the week in preparation for the hike to Annette Lake, keeping my sets on the stair machine to 100. I have been paying more attention to diet as well, especially the day prior; plenty of protein and water, less caffeine. Since we planned an earlier start, due to the popularity of the trail, I made sure I was in bed plenty early enough to be fully rested. Although these details seem minute in the grand scheme of things, I felt they made a difference in my body's performance.
The trail starts out fairly benign, with negligible elevation gain tempered by a few switchbacks and littered with rocks. Once we intersected the Iron Horse Trail, however, the going got interesting. The terrain became more uneven, the trail strewn with rocks and small boulders to navigate, and crisscrossed with roots. The elevation gain on this trail, almost all 1700 ft of it, comes within two miles - switchbacks helped, but you still knew you were climbing. Although not as steep as our hike up Kloshe Nanitch, it was enough to give us a good workout, especially with the rocks and roots factored in.
Mother Nature had mercy on us. Not only was the weather spectacular, but interspersed along the route were a couple small waterfalls and views of the ridgeline running parallel to us to reward us for our perseverance. The majority of the trail is under cover of the forest, which kept the temperature cool. Just as I started thinking I should throw a layer on, we'd pop out into the warmth of the sun and I'd be good to go again.
Eventually you make it to the lake, which is situated in a bowl at a confluence of ridges, thus surrounded by steep walls of rock and trees. It is crystal clear, and the most beautiful shade of turquoise. This is a perfect place to stop for lunch ... or to catch it, if you brought a pole. That's right, this lake has trout.
After resting, eating lunch and exploring the shores of the lake, it was time to head back down the trail, with a quick side-trip to the back-country toilet. Those are something one just has to experience firsthand. Although I wouldn't say I struggled on the way down, I most certainly felt the strain in my knees and quads. Even my hips were making themselves known by the time we again reached the Iron Horse Trail, but with the unevenness of the trail, I wasn't surprised. It is conditioning like this that is going to help prepare me for St Helens. One thing I'm noticing is, although I still hurt and ache when I get home, my recovery time is less. By Sunday afternoon I was only feeling the muscle strain in my upper quads and only minimal stiffness when I awoke Monday - little to no joint pain at all.
All in all, this was a great hike.
Distance hiked: 7.5 miles
Elevation gained: 1750 ft
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