Maple Pass Loop: One of the Best Trails in the North Cascades

The Maple Pass Loop is a 6.5 mile hike with just over 2,100 feet of elevation gain features panoramic views of the jagged North Cascade mountains around every corner. Prepare to be blown away by the sheer majesty and grandeur of the glacier-capped Cascades as you experience them from high above. In this article, we’ve outlined everything you need to tackle the Maple Pass Loop.

Article Contents

1. Maple Pass Loop Overview
2. Maple Pass Loop FAQs
   1. How difficult is the Maple Pass Loop? 
   2. When is the best time to hike Maple Pass Trail?
   3. How do I get to the Maple Pass Loop trailhead?
   4. Can I backpack the Maple Pass Loop?
   5. Which direction should I hike the Maple Pass Trail?
   6. Where can I stay before/after the hike?
   7. What should I bring?
3. Maple Pass Trail Guide
   1. Trailhead up to Heather Pass
   2. Heather Pass to Maple Pass
   3. Maple Pass
   4. Return to trailhead
4. Other useful Resources

Maple Pass Loop overview

• Distance | 6.5 miles/9.9 km
• Elevation | 2,162 feet/ 659 meters
• Difficulty | Moderate to hard
• Total time | 4 to 6 hours
• Epicness Rating | 8
• Why you’ll love it | A manageable day hike with 360-degree North Cascade mountains views the entire way

Find this hike on AllTrails | Maple Pass Trail

The Maple Pass Trail is not only one of the best trails in the North Cascades, but easily one of the best day hikes in the entire Pacific Northwest! 

Covering 6.5 miles and 2,100 feet of elevation gain, the Maple Pass Loop isn’t an easy walk in the park but packs in seemingly endless views of glacier-capped peaks, the picturesque Lake Ann and Rainey Lake, abundant wildflowers, and tranquil forests.

The Maple Pass Loop might have more “views per mile” than any hike we’ve ever done. Even though the hike is located in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, just outside North Cascades National Park, it remains one of the most popular hikes in the area.

Important things to know before you hike

• Parking is limited | On summer weekends, parking overflows onto the main road leading to the trailhead. Expect to walk to the trailhead if you don’t arrive early in the morning.
• Entrance fee required | You’ll need to pay a $5 per car National Forest day-use fee (cash only!) or bring your America the Beautiful Parks Pass.
• Dogs are allowed | Dogs are allowed in the National Forest but please keep them on a leash and on the trail.
• Limited water sources available | While Lake Ann serves as a reliable water source, you should not bank on any other water sources along the Maple Pass trail. There may be a few streams earlier in the season, while snow is still melting, but when we hiked in late July, everything was pretty much dry. 

Maple Pass Loop FAQs

In this section, we’ll cover a few important frequently asked questions about hiking the Maple Pass Loop.

How difficult is the Maple Pass Loop? 

The Maple Pass Loop is moderately difficult. Even though it’s “only” 6.5 miles, which is on the shorter side of hikes in the North Cascades, it comes with over 2,000 feet of elevation gain. 

We had hiked to Sahale Glacier the day before so our legs were already a bit tired, but we both were pretty gassed when we reached Maple Pass. While the hike isn’t long by North Cascades standards, it should not be underestimated.

When is the best time to hike Maple Pass Trail?

• Peak | July through October
• Shoulder | May to June
• Avoid | November through April

The best time to hike the Maple Pass loop is during the summer and early fall, from July to mid-October. You could hike earlier or later than that, depending on when Highway 20 is open, but you should be prepared for a lot of snow on the upper parts of the trail.

October is particularly popular on the Maple Pass Loop for the stunning views of the bright yellow larches. It’s certainly worth battling the crowds but plan to arrive as early as possible in the morning to avoid a long walk to the trailhead.

Snow can linger on the higher elevation sections into July. Always check for current conditions before you hike the Maple Pass trail.

How do I get to the Maple Pass Loop trailhead?

The trailhead for the Maple Pass trail is located at the Rainey Lake Picnic area in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, right off State Route 20, otherwise known as the North Cascades Highway. 

The trailhead is about 45 minutes from Newhalem and the Diablo Lake Area of the North Cascades National Park. 

The parking lot at the trailhead is large but fills up during popular times. If you can’t find a spot in the parking lot, you should be able to park along the highway without adding too much distance to your hike. 

There is a pit toilet and picnic tables at the trailhead. 

Is there an entrance fee?

Yes, in order to park at the trailhead, you will need to purchase either a day-use National Forest Pass, an annual Northwest Forest Pass, or display your America the Beautiful Pass. 

You can purchase a day-use pass at the trailhead for $5 (cash only). The annual Northwest Forest Pass costs $30 and provides access to all recreation sites operated by the Forest Service in Washington and Oregon where a day-use fee is required. 

However, if you have an America the Beautiful Pass (which we highly recommend!) you are all set.

Can I backpack the Maple Pass Loop?

While backpacking is permitted in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, there is no camping allowed within ¼ mile of Lake Ann, Rainy Lake, or along the Maple Pass Loop.

• You can find more information about backpacking in the area on the National Forest Service website.

Which direction should I hike the Maple Pass Trail?

Because the Maple Pass Trail is a loop, you can hike it either clockwise or counterclockwise. No matter which direction you choose to hike, you will have epic views and a wonderful experience.

That being said, there are some pros and cons to each direction, which we’ve outlined below.

Maple Pass Loop Clockwise

If you choose to hike the Maple Pass Loop clockwise, you will get the steepest part of the hike out of the way right off the bat. The first three miles of the hike are a steep climb up a series of switchbacks that cut through dense forest.

After about 3 miles, the views start to open up and will continue as you hike around Lake Ann. The hike will then end with a gradual but longer descent with views of Lake Ann off to the right. 

In summary, with the clockside option, you will have a shorter overall distance with incline but it’s much steeper. 

Maple Pass Loop Counterclockwise

The counterclockwise option starts with a longer and more gradual incline but features views of Lake Ann and the surrounding mountains almost immediately. You will then descend the steepest section of the loop, through the woods and down the switchbacks at the end of your hike. 

The counterclockwise option is a longer but more gradual incline with more views earlier in the hike. 

What we recommend

We recommend hiking counterclockwise. Not only is the incline more gradual but you’ll also have views to distract you from the pain of the elevation gain. You can then fly down the steepest part at the end of your hike. 

We actually hiked clockwise, as we wanted to get the hardest part out of the way as quickly as possible, but found ourselves rushing through the long stretch of views on the way down.

Where can I stay before/after the hike?

The North Cascades are located in a fairly remote section of Washington so there aren’t a ton of lodging options near the trailhead for the Maple Pass hike. However, we’ve listed a few good options below.

• Inn at Mazama | With rooms starting at just $150 per night, the Inn at Mazama is perfect for people looking for a more luxurious lodging option that retains the mountainous, rustic vibe.
• Colonial Creek Campgrounds | The Colonial Creek Campgrounds are a convenient camping option 30 minutes from the trailhead. Campsites cost $24 per night and can be reserved up to 6 months in advance.
• Ross Lake Resort | Ross Lake Resort offers lakefront cabins and campsites with epic views of the glacier-capped peaks. There are no roads leading to the Ross Lake Resort, so you’ll need to hike in or catch a water taxi.

What should I bring?

Below is a list of gear we’d recommend packing for hiking the Maple Pass Trail.

• Bear spray | Black bears and (a few) grizzly bears call the North Cascades home. Carrying bear spray (and knowing how to use it) is always a good idea.
• Hiking boots | Maple Pass Trail is steep and slippery in places. Having sturdy hiking boots with good traction is a must. The Danner Mountain 400s are my all-time favorite hiking boots.
• Hiking Poles | To help take pressure off your knees on the steep sections and give you extra traction on the Maple Pass Trail. Hiking poles are also helpful for extra stability crossing snow fields if hiking earlier in the season.
• Pullovers (Hers: Smartwool Merino Quarter Zip, His: Smartwool Merino Quarter Zip) | Mornings in the North Cascades can get cold, even in the summer, so expect a chilly start to your hike. We love our Smartwool quarter zips for chilly mornings on the trial!
• Headlamp | Always good to have for a long day hike in case you finish hiking later than expected. We both use the Black Diamond Storm 400s.
• Micro-spikes | This trail is typically clear by mid-July but if you’re hiking earlier in the season, you may want micro-spikes for extra traction on any remaining snow patches.

For a more detailed day hike gear list, you may be interested in this article:

Maple Pass Trail Guide

In this section, we’ll get into detail about each section of the Maple Pass Loop. The information below is based on hiking the Maple Pass Loop in the counterclockwise direction.

trailhead up to heather pass

From the trailhead, the Maple Pass Loop wastes no time getting your legs and lungs pumping, as the elevation gain begins almost immediately.

For the first 1 mile or so, the trail follows a gradual but consistent incline through beautiful and tranquil forests. Enjoy the shade while you can! 

After about 1 mile there is a short spur trail off to the left that will take you directly to Lake Ann. This spur trail is relatively flat but adds about 1.2 miles total to your hike. We did not take this spur trail but it would have been cool to see the mountains from below. 

Continuing along the main trail, the forest will soon start to thin out and the views will open up as you approach Heather Pass. If you look out to your left, you’ll be able to see Maple Pass far in the distance! 

You will continue to climb higher and higher with more views of the surrounding mountains and Lake Ann soon coming into view. After about 2.3 miles, you will reach Heather Pass and the surrounding meadows filled with green bushes and wildflowers.

Some of the best views on the hike are from Heather Pass!

Heather PAss to Maple Pass

From Heather Pass, the Maple Pass trail starts to head towards the south, along the ridge above Lake Ann. This is easily the best section of the trail, as you’ll have views in every direction. 

You’ll be able to see row after row of mountain peaks, extending as far as the eye can see! Quickly, you will understand why the Maple Pass Loop is so popular. The views of the North Cascade mountains are unmatched!

Maple Pass

After about 1.4 miles, you will reach Maple Pass, the highest point on the trail and the pinnacle of the hike. While the views are nice along the ridge from Heather Pass, the vista from Maple Pass is definitely the highlight of the hike!

You can make your way out on a small ridge for even better views of the surrounding mountains.

Ridge heading down Maple Pass

Perhaps one of our favorite views from the entire hike was a super short spur trail less than a quarter mile down from Maple Pass.

The trail leads briefly along a rocky ridge to a stunning viewpoint overlooking the meadows below and the jagged peaks of the North Cascades in the background.

Return to trailhead

After you’ve soaked up all the views from Maple Pass, the trail continues above the tree line for a bit, winding through a beautiful alpine meadow with views overlooking Rainey Lake. After a couple miles, the trail descends back into the forest. 

Once you are in the forest, the switchbacks begin and you should be able to cruise down the 2.75 miles back to the trailhead.

Other useful Resources

Looking for more great hikes in Washington and the Pacific Northwest?! You may also be interested in these resources.

Washington

• Hiking Summerland Trail in Mount Rainier
• Backpacking the Enchanted Valley in Olympic National Park
• Rialto Beach to Hole in the Wall
• Hoh River Trail Hike Guide

British Columbia

• Panorama Ridge Hike Guide
• Camping at Garibaldi Lake
• Wedgemount Lake Hike Guide

Oregon

• Best Hikes on the Oregon Coast
• Cutest Towns on the Oregon Coast

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Questions or comments about hiking the Maple Pass Loop in Washington?! Let us know in the comments section below.