I enjoyed counter clockwise but going DOWN the steep part has a different wear & tear on the feet & toes & knees & joints. Nice side trail to Lake Ann but you will see plenty of it from above if u don't want the extra mile. Met a NICE FRIENDLY GAL 👧with a dog 🐕at the top. Its always great to meet friendly people who aren't afraid of interacting.
There were a few grouchy ones in passing as well. And one gal thinking if she said hello I might interpret it wrongly like this is 1950 or something. Fear has NO place on the trail. The fearful vibe kills the experience. And I don't mind passing in silence but could do WITHOUT the fearful or angry vibe. And the know- it -all vibe.
Near the top I asked one lady if the trail goes "up that way" pointing to a spot where people were standing -trying to get an idea of the loop direction. She scoffed "it's a loop...it goes down" (she didn't say idiot but it was dripping off her not so nice lips).
I said "I know it's a loop" (I didn't say "u blankety blank") ... (YES I did research this trail. Consulted many hiking blogs etc before arrival as I do with all hikes including my recent hikes to Cascade Pass, Yellow Aster, & Chain- of -Lakes; as well as Storm King, WagonWheel, Hurricane Ridge & Switchback at Olympic NP a few weeks ago, among others "...but which WAY does the loop go from here.." she seemed so upset by my question .. I just kept going. Maybe she was mentally ill.
Anyways the loop DID IN FACT GO UP to where I was pointing and then goes down. It was a very simple YES or NO question... Not sure why it caused this lady so much stress. She had just come that way a few moments prior
(later I realized the cross around my neck sometimes causes certain types of people to experience irrational anger & false negative stereotypes of Christians. Yes, Christians DO read & use their minds including me, including the study of Greek & Hebrew & BA/BA/M.Div). We're NOT all backwater hillbillies & we don't confuse faith with luck. In fact the Christians I know read & study much more than so-called secular "scientific" people ( & the ones who messes up the COVID response so horribly) .Thank God people aren't wearing masks on the trail anymore. Those were the worst of times. Talk about superstitious 👎.
Down a ways nice view of BOTH Lake Ann AND Rainy Lake simultaneousy & a waterfall 👍. Now the steep toe-stubbing section...finally the paved trail. Back to car 🚗. On the road again.
Enjoy the hike. And commit at least one act of random kindness along the way 💥💯🌄🎁. It WON'T hurt u 😁☺️😊 #JesusSaves
