Lake Ann and Lower Curtis Glacier

Trail Highlights:Mountain views; lake views; glacier views
Round-trip Distance:8.00 miles / 12.90 km (Lake Ann)
10.00 miles / 16.01 km (Lake Ann and Lower Curtis Glacier)
Location:Mt. Baker Wilderness and Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (Lake Ann Trail),
North Cascades National Park (Lower Curtis Glacier Trail), Mt. Baker / Nooksack Valley, Washington North Cascades

Ancestral lands of the Nooksack
Directions:From Bellingham, Washington, drive east on State Route 542 56.00 miles/90.00 km to the Austin Pass parking lot on the left
Required Pass:Northwest Forest Pass or equivalent for U.S. Forest Service sites. (Although the Lower Curtis Glacier Trail crosses into the North Cascades National Park, the trail originates in national forest and requires only a national forest pass and not a national park pass.)
Additional Trail Info:Washington Trails Association
U.S. Forest Service
Note:This page profiles the Lake Ann located in Whatcom County, Washington; several other lakes of the same or similar name can be found throughout the Cascades.
Mount Shuksan’s glaciated slopes form a dramatic backdrop to Lake Ann.
Lower Curtis Glacier Trail, Washington.

What Lake Ann itself lacks in character is more than compensated for by its dramatic setting at the base of Mount Shuksan’s steepled western wall, festooned with dramatically sculpted glaciers creeping inexorably toward their cliffside finales. The trail traverses a basin along the Shuksan Arm, a mountainous ridge that arcs upward to Mount Shuksan, where Lake Ann pools on a broad saddle adjoining Annette Peak and Mount Ann. From the saddle, a short side trail crosses into North Cascades National Park as it zigzags up Mount Shuksan’s pitched slope to the Lower Curtis Glacier, affording an intimate view of the glacier’s jagged edge and a bird’s-eye glimpse of the Baker River Valley beyond. Along the way, wildflowers and blueberries cheer the trailside.

Although the trail’s grade is moderate, it ends with a climb in both directions because it descends one end of the basin and ascends the other. It is also unshaded throughout much of its distance, especially where it climbs the stony saddle where heat pockets on summer afternoons. Be prepared with sun protection and water as needed and don’t hesitate to stop and enjoy the expansive views in both directions. Snow lingers late into the short alpine summer and abundant snowmelt maintains several stream crossings that, although not deep, may result in wet feet. Given its ease of access, unique features, and available campsites, the trail is a popular late summer and autumn hike — expect to encounter others on the way and along the lakeshore, especially on weekends.

The trail weaves in and out of forest along its length, providing peekaboo views of mountains round about, including, as one might expect, Annette Peak (shown here) and Mount Ann (partially visible here on the right of Annette Peak).
Lake Ann Trail, Washington.
The Shuksan Arm forms the stony wall to the north of the trail until both meet at the lake atop the saddle that joins Mount Shuksan, Annette Peak, and Mount Ann. Lake Ann Trail, Washington.
In late summer and early autumn, luscious blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) are plentiful throughout the trailside.
Lake Ann Trail, Washington.
Be prepared for several water crossings along the trail, which may result in wet feet during early season snowmelt.
Lake Ann Trail, Washington.
On the approach to Lake Ann, the trail ascends the steep saddle between the Shuksan Arm and Mount Shuksan to the east and Annette Peak and Mount Ann to the west, affording a sweeping view back down into the basin and across to Mt. Baker. Lake Ann Trail, Washington.
At trail’s end, Lake Ann pools atop a broad, stony saddle where mountains meet. Lake Ann Trail, Washington.
The Upper and Lower Curtis glaciers drape Mount Shuksan’s rugged western flank to the east of Lake Ann.
Lower Curtis Glacier Trail, Washington.
Just beyond the saddle as the main trail descends to Lake Ann, the side trail to the Lower Curtis Glacier branches northwest (left) and zigzags up a forested strip at the base of one of Mount Shuksan’s many pinnacles. It is visible here crossing from the left to the switchbacks on the right. Lower Curtis Glacier Trail, Washington.
The side trail to Lower Curtis Glacier leads across a boggy drainage, where monkeyflowers provide surprising bits of color in the otherwise stony alpine environs. Look for both yellow, or, seep monkeyflowers (Erythranthe guttata) (left) and purple, or, Lewis’s monkeyflowers (Erythranthe lewisii) (right). Lower Curtis Glacier Trail, Washington.
As the side trail to Lower Curtis Glacier climbs, it affords a view down Shuksan Creek, which carries runoff from both the glacier and Lake Ann to the far off Baker Lake and Lake Shannon.
Lower Curtis Glacier Trail, Washington.
Accumulated decades of snowfall line Lower Curtis Glacier’s deeply crevassed edge, here tipped by a sphinx-like head gazing toward the eventual repositories of its meltwaters, Baker Lake and Lake Shannon. Care should be exercised to avoid falling ice along the glacier’s crumbling wall, as well as the precipitous cliff below.
Lower Curtis Glacier Trail, Washington.

© 2016-2025 Anthony Colburn. Images may not be used or reproduced in any form without express written consent.

                   

2 thoughts on “Lake Ann and Lower Curtis Glacier”

  1. Mark Allen says:

    Hello – the third to last photo (side trail to lower curtis glacier) is spectacular! How far is this viewpoint from shore of Lake Ann? Another words how far from the trailhead to this viewpoint? – Thank you!

    Reply
    1. HesperosFlown says:

      The views along the entire trail are truly stunning — I was reminded of the dramatic landscapes in the “The Lord of the Rings” films. Unfortunately, I have not had opportunity to return since the date of the photos in my trail profile. At that time, the side trail to the Lower Curtis Glacier was not marked. (I only learnt of it from a fellow hiker.) East of Lake Ann (left, as you approach the lake), look for a boot path crossing a boggy meadow and disappearing into the forest below Mount Shuksan. Gazing up at the glacier, you would expect the climb to be daunting, but the trail’s long switchbacks ease the grade. From recollection, it was only about a half mile/0.80 km from Lake Ann to the end of the trail near the glacier, which would make the total one-way distance about 4.60 miles/7.40 km from the trailhead. The photo you referenced was taken about halfway up the side trail. The trail ends beyond the forest at a ridge of large, loose rock that is difficult to traverse. I scrambled up a bit for a better view, but don’t approach the glacier’s unstable ice or the cliff’s edge where it terminates.

      I hope you get to enjoy this amazing trail soon! Write back with any helpful info or interesting developments you find.

      ~ HesperosFlown

      Reply

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