How to Hike the Stunning Maple Pass Loop in North Cascades NP

Maple Pass Loop is the best and most beautiful hike I have ever done. The hike is long and strenuous but does not feel that tough because you are stopping every 30 steps or so to take a picture. From old growth, dense forests to pristine turquoise lakes and views of snow-topped mountains, this trail is like no other I have experienced. You will feel like Julie Andrews in the Sound of Music with landscapes that mirror the Austrian Alps.

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Maple Pass Loop Trail Stats

Location – 36 miles or 45 minutes west of Winthrop off US-20
Trail Length – 7.1 miles (according to wta.org and my phone’s GPS)
Elevation Gain – 2,145 feet
Difficulty Rating – Hard
Route Type – Loop
Parking Situation – Parking area at Maple Pass Loop trailhead is called Rainy Lake Trailhead and fills up early in the day. Overflow parking is along Highway 20.
Bathroom Situation – Pit toilets in parking area.

Clockwise or Counterclockwise?

Whenever a trail is a loop, the question always arises…should I hike it clockwise or counterclockwise? The general consensus is counterclockwise is the better route for two reasons. The first is the climb to Maple Pass is less steep than the clockwise route. You reach the highest elevation at the 3.8-mile marker if going counterclockwise, but you hit that mark after only 2.8 miles going clockwise.

The second reason to choose the counterclockwise path are the views are allegedly better. I cannot verify this as I have not done this hike in the clockwise pattern, but there are several people who seem to agree counterclockwise is prettier.

One reason you may choose to complete Maple Pass Loop in the clockwise direction is if you have bad knees and the steeper declines are more treacherous to your body than the steep inclines. Ultimately, the decision is yours, and plenty of people were doing the hike in both directions. For the sake of this article, however, I will assume you are choosing to complete the hike in the counterclockwise direction.

Second-Growth Forests

For the first mile of the Maple Pass Loop, you will have a steady incline hike through dense second-growth forests. The forest provides plenty of shade and cooler temperatures before you are exposed to the sun’s rays.

Hillside Meadow

After walking through the forest, the Maple Pass Loop opens to a hillside meadow that stretches from the top of the mountain to the valley below. In July and August, wildflowers blanket the meadow. You will walk less than a quarter of a mile circling the mountain meadow before starting your walk in the forest again. After walking a few steps, you should start hearing the water rushing from Bridge Creek which is fed by Lake Ann.

Lake Ann

At 1.25 miles, you have the option to turn left where the trail forks and head down to the waterfront of Lake Ann. If you do this off-shoot trail, you will be adding about a mile to your overall hike. If you do not wish to take this detour, continue straight towards Maple Pass. After a short while, you will reach an alpine wonderland and can see the turquoise waters of Lake Ann to your left nestled below in the glacial bowl.

Heather Pass Viewpoint

As you continue to climb the Maple Pass Loop, you will see Heather Pass trail that takes off to the right and continues to Black Peak. Keep going straight for a quarter of a mile and arrive at the Heather Pass Viewpoint. Here you can see magnificent views of Heather Pass, Lewis Lake, and the surrounding mountain peaks.

Rim View

At just over the 3-mile mark, you will reach the North Cascades National Park boundary and will continue to walk along the rim towards Maple Pass. This part of the trail was the most difficult part to follow the path, but there are orange flag indicators to help you along the way. If there are snow patches that block the path, follow the dirty footprints of the people before you, and you will have no problems. While you are walking on the rim, take note of the 360-degrees of mountain views as far as the eye can see. Keep an eye out for marmots frolicking in the area.

Maple Pass

Your final climb to Maple Pass is a steep one, but it is all downhill from here, literally. A wooden sign marks Maple Pass so you know when you have achieved the highest elevation on this loop. You then begin to walk down the switchbacks on the side of the mountain meadow, and here is where you will have the urge to belt out, “The hills are alive with the sound of music…”

Rainy Lake Views

As you descend further down the Maple Pass Loop, you will get views of the perfectly blue Rainy Lake below and to the right. The rumble of the large waterfall that cascades down the mountain and into the lake is the soundtrack for the rest of your hike. The last mile and a half or so is less exciting as you lose views of the lake and mountains and begin walking in the forest again.

Extra Credit – Rainy Lake Trail

Once you get back to ground level, the Maple Pass Loop meets up with the Rainy Lake trail. If you are too tired to walk anymore, turn left to head back to the parking lot to finish the Maple Pass Loop. If you want to continue your hike and see Rainy Lake from the water’s edge, you should turn right for an easy stroll. There is a small wooden platform with a couple of benches where you can rest and take in the picturesque scene before finishing the 1-mile trek back to the parking lot.

Important Things to Know

Is There an Entrance Fee for Maple Pass Loop?

North Cascades National Park is one of the few national parks that do not require an entrance fee. However, this hike does require a day fee of $5. You do not have to pay this day fee if you have the America the Beautiful U.S. Park Pass. Just make sure to display the pass on your dash or hang from your rearview mirror.

Where to Stay at North Cascades

When researching places to stay close to North Cascades National Park, I had a lot of trouble. If you are camping, there are several campsites within the park boundaries for you to stay at. Reservations for campsites within the park can be found here. Lodging within the park is hard to come by with only two options: North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin and Ross Lake Resort. Both of which is very difficult to get reservations at.

In my opinion, the best option is to stay outside the park in the cute Western-themed town of Winthrop. With several lodging options and so many things to do, Winthrop is a great choice. I opted to stay at the Abby Creek Inn, which is located on the Methow River and within walking distance to the Methow Valley Thriftway grocery store. Maple Pass Loop trailhead is located on the east side of the park and is closer to Winthrop than most of the rest of the park’s trails.

What to Eat for Maple Pass Loop Trail

I highly recommend eating a hearty breakfast before your Maple Pass Loop hike. If you choose to stay in the Winthrop area, you will have plenty of food options for breakfast before you make your way into the park, such as Three Fingered Jack’s Saloon and Rocking Horse Bakery.

The hike is fairly long, steep, and will require lots of energy. You should bring snacks with you to enjoy along the way. If you think the trail will take a while, you may even want to bring a packed lunch to eat atop the mountain while looking at the views.

When to Visit Maple Pass Loop Trail

North Cascades is technically open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. However, State Route 20, which runs through the heart of the North Cascades hikes is closed most of the year due to snowfall and threats of avalanches. The highway generally opens by early May and closes sometime in November. You will need to check the Washington State Department of Transportation for current conditions of SR-20.

Even though SR-20 opens in early May, Maple Pass Loop is generally not doable until July. Even the first of July is often too early in the summer season for many North Cascades hikes. It is best to plan your trip between mid-July and mid-September.

What to Pack for Maple Pass Loop Hike

Listed below are things I highly recommend you pack while you are hiking the Maple Pass Loop.

Bug spray – I usually list water as the first thing to pack. But if you want to keep your sanity, bug spray is an absolute must-have essential!
Water – Whether you use a hydration backpack or carry bottled water, make sure to pack plenty of water when outdoors.
Sunscreen – Protect your skin from the sun, and do not forget to reapply. You are exposed to direct sunlight most of this trail.
Hat – More sun protection to block the sun from your face
Hiking shoes/boots – Some of the hikes are on steep, slick rock, and people wearing regular tennis shoes struggled to keep their footing. Here are the men‘s version of the hiking shoes I love.
Hiking socks – The best way to prevent blisters is by keeping your feet dry. Moisture-wicking socks are the best way to do that.
Backpack – A backpack is a necessity when hiking to carry your water, snacks, sunscreen, etc. that you may need on your North Cascades hikes.
Hiking Poles – These are great to have to help with hikes with steep ascents and descents. They also help with traversing through snow patches.
Rain jacket – You never know when a storm will pass through so be ready with some men’s or women’s raingear.