maple pass loop

although it was a cloudy day, and sometimes raining. We visited Columbia River Gorge, spent 3 days in Mount Rainier NP, 3 days in North Cascades and 5 days in Olympic NP on a two weeks northwest trip at the end of summer 2014, hiked Skyline, Burroughs, and a few other trails in MRNP, Switchbacks, rainforest, Cape Alava and Shi-Shi in Olympic, but Maple Pass is the place I want to return to.

We started hike on Oct 19, 2014 from the junction with Rainy Lake (clockwise) with foggy day. On half way to Maple Pass, it turned out sunny with dynamic weather of cloud/fog moving fast. We fully enjoyed the beautiful trail, sunny warm day and breath-taking views in Northern Cascade National NP.

We were looking for a great day hike in or near the North Cascades National park in Washington state and found Maple Loop Trail on Tripadvisor and several other online travel forums. The 7.1 miles round trip did not sound challenging but we had to think twice about the elevation - up and down 2000 feet in those 7 miles. We checked with the lodge receptionist who encouraged us to go saying she has done the trail not too long ago and she was retirement age. The hike started from Rainy Lake area parking lot and we decided to go anti-clockwise (following the signs) so that we would go up more gradually and handle the steeper part on the way back. The incline was not bad and we soon started admiring wonderful views of the surrounding mountains. After going a bit further, we saw wonderful views of Lake Ann that we kept seeing repeatedly throughout the hike. After passing the Heather Meadows, a wonderful view of surrounding mountain ranges opened up and we could see a lot of colored bushes and trees and chipmunks running around. We hiked further up to Maple Pass (elevation 7000 ft) and were able to admire Frisco Mountain up close. Another view to a valley a bit further away opened up before the trail turned back and we started descending to the valley. Huckleberries along the way and beautiful glimpses of Rainy Lake made the descent fun despite the more challenging terrain. We were really excited about all the wonderful views that we could admire on this hike. Even thought it might be challenging for couch potatoes, everyone can do it if they take their time and it is one of the most beautiful mountain hikes in Washington.

It is as fabulous a day hike as everyone says. But it is NOT in North Cascades National Park. It is in the Okanogan National Forest - a wonderful trail built by the FOREST SERVICE. The same Forest Service that brings you all the other fabulous hikes along the North Cascades Highway, as well as the northernmost 60 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail that many regard as the best of the PCT. The Forest Service has done a great job managing the North Cascades Highway corridor and I'm tired of the Park Service shamelessly claiming credit.

This 7+ mile loop took us through green forests and then up into alpine meadows with glimpses of several pristine lakes at different points in the hike. The ridge walk at the top elevation of the hike presented us with vistas of the snow capped peaks of the North Cascades in the distance along with steep, orange-gold colored rocky spires visible in all directions. A hike not to be missed if you are ready for the 2100 feet elevation gain and the if your quads can take the descent!

You can hike this loop either clockwise or counterclockwise. If you choose to go clockwise, you'll have the majority of elevation change in one large chunk at the beginning of your hike, but I would highly recommend going counterclockwise (which I think is the way the trail is marked) - if you hike this way, you'll have a nice view...followed by a nicer view...followed by an epic view...followed my a more epic view, etc etc (I think the views slowly motivate you as it's a challenging hike for those who are a bit of couch potatoes!). This is one of the most beautiful hikes I'd ever done - absolutely love it and cannot wait to share pictures with friends and family. Take your time on the way down as it can be hard on your joints (and be sure to wear good footwear to avoid blisters).Try to go early in the morning for cooler hiking weather and a better chance of a good parking spot. Restrooms are at the parking area.

On August 3 we hiked the Maple Pass Loop. It is approximately 7 miles and reaches an elevation of approximately 7,000 feet. We hiked five miles and then set up camp on top of a bluff. The bluff was filled with wildflowers, and overlooked a lake on each side. The only down side is there were thousands of mosquitos. We were told by some locals that September is the best month to go, as the mosquitos are gone by then. We were lucky in that we visited on three of the most beautiful, sunny, blue sky days Seattle had seen recently. There were six of us packing in. It is not an easy hike, but not terribly technical. We passed many day hikers. We did the trail in reverse, so we hiked up the hard part, and then down the next morning through a beautiful shaded forest. There are many switch backs, most of which pass through flower-filled fields on the side of the mountains. To reach the Maple Pass Loop, you have to drive a pretty spectacular scenic road. This is a "must- experience" for anyone looking for a place to escape for a few hours.

This is an awesome hike. Be sure to visit the Rainy Lake and Lake Ann while here. Absolutely positively worth every minute

We did this hike mid-July and made it to Heather Pass, but couldn't continue due to snow. It didn't matter though because the hike to that point was incredible. We went counter-clockwise, which is a more gradual elevation gain. You start out going through beautiful old growth forests, pass a pristine alpine lake (Lake Ann), and continue with amazing views of mountain peaks all around you. I can't speak to the 2nd half of the loop, but the first half was well worth it and probably the best day hike I have ever been on (and I have been on many!). I would recommend going in early August or later if you want to be sure the full loop is passable. We saw beautiful wildflowers on the trail also.

Spent 2 weeks in Washington, did several hikes, I believe this was my favorite. We did clock wise, to get a strenous climb, the views are breath taking! We were in the area to meet up with our boys who were thru PCT hikers.

We did this hike the last week in July. The wildflowers were stunning and bloomin' everywhere. If you want to climb 2000+ ft in half-a-mile, go clockwise. If you want to climb 2000+ ft in 4 miles, go counter clockwise. Most hikers choose counter clockwise. The scenery is gorgeous either way. We liked this hike better than Cascades Pass. And we loved Cascades Pass.CC: You begin by hiking steadily uphill. After two miles through Douglas firs, you come to a fork in the trail; go left to get to the shore of Lake Ann, or go right and steadily climb another two miles, ultimately reaching Maple Pass, at 6,600 feet. You will see majestic old-growth trees, meadows filled with wildflowers, beautiful vistas, and from ridges you look down on glacier-fed Lake Ann. At Maple Pass you are greeted by a large sign - entering North Cascades National Park. What? We thought we were already in it! Maple Pass trail is actually in Forest Service land. Loved this hike.

8 miles of absolute alpine wonder! The trail is steep in places but doable by most anyone. Views are amazing: birds-eye views of lake Ann and Rainy lake, distant glaciers, rock gardens, wild flowers, tarns and little springs. Ok to bring the dog.

While traveling through Mt Rainer NP we stopped by the visitor center and asked about some great hikes in the area. The ranger told us about Maple Pass, which started on the Rainy Lake trail. We went counter clock wise on the hike and there was about 4.8 miles of mostly uphill....so we stopped and rested alot and talked to the hikers that were coming down the trail. The trail climbs above Lake Anne...and around to the top of the mountain. Great views of the cascades on one side and views of where you came from on the other. Then the trail climbs more til you reach the peak...quite a climb to the top. But, once you reach the top it is amazing looking back at where you were and how far you have come. Then the narrow trail does switch backs down the side of the mountain...so you better keep your eye on the trail as some places you don't want to slip....long long ways down to the bottom. The trail snakes down pretty steeply for about 3 miles. I agree with the other reviews that your knees are pretty much done once you reach the bottom. All in all, this is a very nice hike and would recommend it to well conditioned friends.

This hike starts at the Rainy Pass trailhead, climbs up to Heather Pass and then on to Maple Pass and even higher on the side of a nearby mountain. After an initial stretch in the forest, much of the trial is a loop circling above Lake Anne, so you can see much of the route. We hiked this loop on a clear September day and enjoyed stunning views of glacier-capped North Cascades peaks to the south as we got up to the level of nearby peaks. The hike up (in the counterclockwise directlion) is a nice trail, but the hike down for the last couple of miles is rocky and not much fun for the knees. We met some hikers who opted to skip this part and turned back after reaching the high point of the hike. This is worth considering.

This loop offers dramatic views and different ones. Lake Ann at various elevations, ridges, wildflowers. We were subjected to rain and snow while we were there and I would suggest being prepared for weathers of all kinds while doing this loop