Maple Pass Loop (plus Lake Ann & Rainy Lake)
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Washington, 2023
Another highly recommended and widely popular trail, I was fortunate to catch this loop twice in 2023 - once at the tail end of wildflower season (we were about a week late on what looked like an incredible avalanche lily superbloom) and again during larch madness.
I'm going to be brutally honest here: for me, this was an underwhelming larch march. Yes the surrounding mountainsides are covered in groves of larches, but you don't get the same larches-on-all-sides-of-the-trail experience as you do on other larch hikes. I know that trails I love will not be loved by others, but I struggled to find the same level of thrill on this hike that others have when they state, "Maple Pass Loop is my all-time favorite fall hike, I do it every year." I've done some killer fall hikes this season, this didn't do it for me. It was overhyped, overcrowded, and underwhelming. A real snooze fest.
That said, would I do this hike again during wildflower season? 100 percent.
TRAIL DEETS
Length: 6.48 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,162 feet Max Elevation: 6,971 feet
Route Type: Loop
AllTrails Difficulty: Hard
Pups: Welcome on leash
DARCY WANDERS' ROUTE
I downloaded the navigation for Maple Pass Trail from AllTrails. The trail is well-trafficked and easy to follow. I opted to complete the loop counterclockwise both times I went (if looking at the above elevation gain map, we started from the right); this was simply a personal preference choice - I wanted to go up the steeper terrain versus down as it is easier on my knees.
Summer Route: I added on the small cut-off to Rainy Lake and the longer cut-off to Lake Ann), which made my total mileage 10.39 miles and total elevation gain 2,401 feet. The path to Rainy Lake is well-trafficked, easy to follow, relatively flat, and ends at a small viewing platform with a few benches. Lake Ann is the opposite - yes, there is a trail, but expect over-growth, insane mosquitos, and difficult access to a lake view.
Preservation and Regrowth Areas: Along the top of Maple Pass, you will find several roped-off sections with signage indicating the area is closed to allow the mountain heather plant to regrow. There are numerous social trails through this area, and you will most likely see people ignoring the signs, please do not do this. While it might not seem like a big deal, plant die-off can have hefty consequences for our wilderness. When hikers repeatedly walk over an area (aka social trails), the soil becomes packed down so densely, that it cannot support plant growth. Delicate mountain plants die and are unable to repopulate the area, leading to growing areas of barren land. Over time, these barren areas expand, scarring the landscape for years to come.
What is a Social Trail? A social trail is an unofficial, user-created path that forms over time, as visitors take detours off of designated trails. With enough foot traffic, these paths get worn down and can look like an official trail. Social trails can have negative impacts to both the habitats of plants and animals in the area.
Trail Popularity: this is a very popular area for backpacking and hiking. It is also a longer drive for the Seattle-area, so I assumed a 9:00 am arrival time would be fine. Zero issues in the summer, I was able to find a parking spot in the parking lot. Huge mistake during Larch season - it was a zoo - we parked on the side of Highway 20 and had a mile walk from our car to the trailhead.
GETTING THERE
The easiest way to get to the Maple Pass Loop trailhead is to use the navigation system of your choice with your destination set as Maple Pass Trailhead. There is a $5 day fee per vehicle with payment kiosks located in the parking lot. The day fee is waived with a valid Northwest Forest Pass or valid America the Beautiful Pass.
SEASONAL ROAD CLOSURE: Roads in North Cascades National Park are subject to seasonal closure due to winter conditions. For more information, please visit the National Park Service's Plan Your Visit website.
TO WANDER, OR NOT TO WANDER
Nestled deep within Washington's version of the Alps, this trail provides jaw dropping 360° views of the surrounding North Cascades, landing this loop in the Top 100 Classic Hikes of Washington. Looking for wildflowers? This is the trail for you (during wildflower season). Looking for larches? This trail has those too (during larch madness).
MAKE IT GREAT (TIPS, TRICKS, & GEAR)
Be Shoulder Season Prepared. The shoulder seasons fall between the main months of mountain activity, when it's too cold for the normal hiking season, but not snowy enough to snowshoe. The gear I wear changes from hike to hike and depends largely on weather forecasts and trail conditions. A lot of the gear I wear in the winter I carry in my pack during shoulder season because I want to have extra layers in case I need them - this includes my micro spikes, you never know when you will encounter icy or snowy conditions at higher elevations.
Going During Larch Season?
Visit on a weekday.
Arrive early! I would aim for 7am.
Add the cut-off for Lake Ann.
Add the cut-off for Wing Lake. If your legs can make it, go all the way to Lewis Lake, otherwise walk until you're ready to turn around. You'll be rewarded with surrounding larches and a break from the crowd on Maple Pass.
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