The hike is sometimes known as the Lake Ann/Maple Pass Loop Trail or the Heather-Maple Pass Loop. Sun Mountain Lodge – Highly rated on Hiking the Maple Pass trail Planning a stay in Winthrop before or after your hike on the Maple Pass loop?ĭuck Brand Hotel & Cuisine – Located right on the main street of Winthrop The trailhead for this North Cascades hike is a 40 minute (35 miles/56km) drive west of the small town of Winthorp. The ridgeline between the passes is just on the edge of the Northern Cascades National Park. The Maple Pass Loop trail is located in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest in Washington. Maple Pass Loop trail: All the essential details Since we had already spent time in Manning only a few weeks before, visiting the US side of the Cascades provided a welcome change. Our original plan for this September adventure was to go to Manning Park and see the larches at Mt. Of course, the border crossing has to be taken into account but we did this at 9pm at night with no other vehicles in sight. The trip to the Northern Cascades actually faster too, with most of the journey being flatter and easier to drive. Sounds like a lot? Maybe, but that’s only about 20km less than the round trip distance from Osoyoos to Manning Park on the Canadian side of the Cascades (even from Vancouver, the difference in distance isn’t dramatic). Of course, the mountains block any kind of shortcut to Canada so the trailhead is actually a 400km round trip from the Osoyoos/Oroville border crossing. As mentioned, the Heather Trail pass trail is 50km south of the Canadian/USA border in the Cascade Mountains. The Northern Cascades may be closer to Canada than you think. The Northern Cascades: A southern alternative for Canadians The descent back to the parking lot is steep and rocky, which can be difficult on the knees. Views of the lake can be seen quite soon from the main trail after the turn-off. There is an optional short detour about 2km in to visit Lake Ann. The trail ascends gently with wide switchbacks all the way to the ridge. Anti/counter-clockwiseįollow the Heather Pass signs to hike the loop anti/counter-clockwise. The descent is much gentler and therefore may be faster than the alternate route. The main trail has a steep ascent with many switchbacks. There is an optional short detour at the beginning to visit Rainy Lake. Clockwiseįollow the Maple Pass signs to hike the loop clockwise. We chose not to visit either of the two lakes en-route, preferring to see them from above. I don’t think I would have liked the steep ascent clockwise and having to wait to see the best views. We hiked anti-clockwise and I was very pleased with our decision. Choosing which direction to hike the Maple Pass Trailīeing a loop, hikers can choose which way to travel on the Maple Pass trail.

The Maple Pass Loop is an incredibly satisfying North Cascades hike all the way from the ridgeline to the highway. The larch trees (usually sporting soft, green needles) are just turning golden, a stark contrast in front of the cloudless blue sky.Įvery season would no doubt offer something a little different on this North Cascades trail (summer wildflowers, the first winter snow) but late September was bright with stunning autumnal colours.īut still, the fiery heathers remain alongside the delicate larches, framed by seemingly endless summits and valleys. Lining both the trail and the lake are lined with warming shades of orange, red and yellow from the heather and huckleberry bushes. Soon, an azure lake, almost too blue to be true, also comes into sight. Relief finally comes not in a descent, but rather the first views of jagged peaks above the treeline. The steady ascent and switchbacks ascending the pass seem relentless at first. No matter which direction is picked (more on that later), the only way is up…and up…and up. The dramatic spires of the Liberty Bell mountains stand guard over Washington Pass, the highway’s highest point.Ī short five-minute drive later and the Maple Pass trailhead beckons. The highway journey to the Rainy Pass Trailhead only hints at the beauty to come on the Maple Pass hike.

Surrounded by autumn beauty on the Maple Pass Trail, Washington

Maple pass loop