14 of us met at Ashway P&R at 7am, one lady was almost half an hour late. After a stop at Safeway in Monroe, we met the 15th person at the TH, ~2000'. There were about a dozen cars. The trail starts easy, but soon gains elevation in a series of zigzags, to ~4600'. Snow/ice at the last ~200'. I brought spikes, but didn't use them. Good view of Glacier Peak near the ridge. Short descent to the frozen Virgin Lake. 
Soon past Virgin Lake, the snow disappeared, a few muddy spots. Not bad all the way down to Blanca Lake ~4000'. The best view is when you first saw the lake, rather than by the lake shore. Many logs at the lake outlet.Spent over 1.5 hour at the lake. Back to the TH ~3:15pm, waited for the rest. Back to the P&R a little after 5pm.
