Hiking Maple Pass Loop Trail, North Cascades National Park

Maple Pass Loop Trail, North Cascades National Park, Washington – 2021
We hiked this trail on August 8th of 2021 near the end of a terrible fire season that has closed the only thru highway in the Park. We were forced to stay on the western side of the park and drive in each day, usually a two hour drive. This trail offers a challenging loop beginning in a heavily timbered area. The first mile is an easy hike and soon passes through a large avalanche meadow and more timber to junction with the side trail to Lake Ann.  At Heather Pass there is a faint trail leading off towards Lewis lake and a possible side trip for experienced hiker and route finder.  Wildflowers are beautiful in July and August and the fall colors created by golden alpine larch and red huckleberries bushes are spectacular. Snowmelt sometimes lingers into mid July, making it difficult to follow trail. The hike beyond to Heather Pass and Maple Pass is steep, the trail is above tree line in high alpine zone. Maple Pass offers sensational views of surrounding mountain peaks. From the alpine meadows along the ridge top one can sit and enjoy the scenery and a view of both Lake Ann and Rainy Lake.  The trail then descends along a ridge line between Lake Ann and Rainy Lake dropping quickly and steeply into timber (this trail beyond the summit is steep and challenging), the trail then levels out when it junctions with the Rainy Lake trial.  Continue for about 0.25 mile on the paved Rainy Lake trail to return to the trailhead. (The YouTube video above contains trail location information and also tracks with elevation data)