Continuing straight, you will pass above Lake Ann and catch your first glimpse of the ridge line you will conquer within the next hour or so.Įventually you will reach Heather Pass (hence why the trail is sometimes called Heather Maple Pass Loop), which offers amazing views over Black Peak and Wing Lake and gives you access to boundless miles of scenic trails meandering through meadows to the north.ħ+ miles was quite enough for us, so we decided to stick to the Maple Pass Loop trail! Conquering the ridge line was the toughest part of the hike, but the views of Lake Ann below and the jagged Cascade peaks off in the distance were enough to keep us going! The descent from the top was fairly intense, but at that point, we were more than ready for some downhill action! 6-mile (round-trip) side trail to the shores of Lake Ann or simply continue on ahead. If traveling counterclockwise, like we did, you will pass through a large avalanche meadow before coming to a junction (after about 1.25 miles on the trail) where you can choose to either take the relatively flat. Whether you go clockwise or counterclockwise, you will start out in a heavily forested area. The highest point on the trail will take you up to an elevation of 6,650-feet. Maple Loop Trail is a 7.2 mile circular hike with a 2,000-foot elevation gain. Knowing that this was a more extreme hike than we were used to, we decided to go counterclockwise in order to start out with a more gradual ascent. Some would argue that starting out with a more intense climb from the get-go ( clockwise) is not ideal, while others point out that going downhill on the steepest portion of the trail ( counterclockwise) is really rough on the knees.Ĭounterclockwise starts you with a more gradual climb and offers more dramatic views of the North Cascades National Park as you climb the pass. Choosing to go clockwise will allow you to conquer the steepest part of the trail during the first half of the hike. Since it is a loop, you have two options: clockwise and counterclockwise. The temperature was ideal, the fall colors were just starting to make an appearance, and we only passed a handful of people throughout the day… it was pretty much perfect!īesides when to visit, the next most commonly asked question about this trail is which direction to head. We hiked the trail at the very end of September. July and August bring about colorful wildflowers, while vibrant fall colors come alive in September and October with golden larches and red huckleberry bushes. The busiest months on the trail are August & September.
The road typically re-opens in April or May, but due to harsh snowy conditions, the trail remains closed until mid-July. You can also purchase a Northwest Forest Pass in advance ($30/annually), which is honored at all Forest Service operated recreation sites in Washington and Oregon where a day use fee is required.īest Time of Year to Hike Maple Pass Loopĭue to the North Cascades weather conditions during winter, the North Cascades Highway closes seasonally starting around mid-late November, and as such, the trail is not accessible during this time. Self-pay stations are provided at the trailhead parking lots for your convenience. A recreation pass is required for each vehicle at a cost of $5 for the day. If this lot is full, check across the street where there is another lot providing access to other nearby trails. For wildly impressive views of the glorious surroundings, don’t miss a stop off at the Washington Pass overlook!Īt the Rainy Pass parking lot, there is space for 40 cars. During your journey to Rainy Pass, you’ll drive by the towering and awe-inspiring Liberty Bell and Early Winters spires. From Seattle, take Highway 20 toward North Cascade National Parkand after about 35 miles west of the charming town of Winthrop, you’ll come upon the Rainy Pass trailhead ( mile marker 158/left side of the road). Not only does the Maple Pass Loop trail provide incredible views, but the drive to the trailhead is pretty spectacular, too! The North Cascades Highway (Highway 20) is known to many as one of America’s greatest drives.
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