paulj said:
How were the bugs?
I was in that area last October. The area around Blue Lake (just west of Washtington Pass) was particularly nice with the alpine larches in full fall color.
paul
Near Ann Lake the Miskeeters ate me alive, rolled me over for dessert, and came back for leftovers! Even though I had a 30%+ Deet military issue paste on my exposed skin, the bugs just went ahead and bit right through my clothes. My shoulders are looking like they are covered with red cobblestones.
in comparison, Cutthroat Pass was very light with bugs as the only standing water is by the lake and I was pretty far away on the trail.