Cutthroat Pass has been a bucket-list trail for me since moving to Washington in 2017. It is known for its gentle grade, grand viewpoints, but, most of all, its impressive golden larch display each October. The pass is accessible from two different trailheads: the North Rainy Pass Trailhead or the Cutthroat Lake Trailhead.

In this blog post, I will share everything you need to know about this spectacular trail, including what you need to know before you get to the trailhead, what to expect along the way, and how to hike or backpack this trail. Near the end of the post, I will also share tips for hiking/backpacking the trail during the Larch Season, some route variations, and determine if the trail is worthy of being a “100 Classic Hikes of Washington”.

I’ve been on a mission to hike all 100 classic hikes of Washington, a trail guide by Craig Romano, since I moved here in an effort to see the best trails the state has to offer. You can follow along with this journey on my Instagram.

If all of this sounds good to you, let’s get started!

Hey friend! Just a heads up, this post contains affiliate links, which means I could earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support!

Backpacking & Hiking to Cutthroat Pass via the PCT

You can complete the Cutthroat Pass Trail as a longer day hike or as an overnight! Either way, you’ll be getting some incredible views. Located in the North Cascades along the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), this hike offers stunning views of the surrounding mountain peaks, including Mount Daniel, while offering a gentle grade all the way up to the pass.

In the fall, the golden larches surround the trail about halfway to the pass, making for a gorgeous display of colors.

If you’re considering spending the night at the pass, you have a few options, and there isn’t a single one that is better than the other. They are all incredible options. I’ll go into detail about each one a little further down, but here is a short overview:

  • Camp at Cutthroat Pass: Great as a moderate overnight with panoramic views of the Cascades.
  • Camp near Cutthroat Lake: A tucked-away lake surrounded by cliffs and larches.
  • Camp at Upper Snowy Lake: Hard trail with an incredible pay-off.

During larch season, you will find this trail to be extremely popular, but not nearly as popular as Maple Pass Loop and Blue Lake, whose trailheads are close by.

Know Before You Go Hike Cutthroat Pass

Regardless of whether you plan on hiking or backpacking this trail, here are some things you need to know in order to plan for your trip.

Trail Stats

Distance: 10.0 miles, round-trip

Elevation Gain: 2,000 feet

Time: 5+ hours

Trail Type: Out-and-back

Difficulty: Moderate – Hard

Location: North Cascades

Permits: Northwest Forest Pass

Dogs Allowed?: Yes – on leash

Bathrooms?: Pit Toilets at Trailhead

Location of the Trail

This trail is located on the ancestral lands of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Okanagan, Cayuse, Umatilla, Walla Walla, Yakama, Nlaka’pamux, and Chelan tribes. As the original and continued stewards of this land, we honor them with responsible recreation and respect for the land.

Getting to the Trailhead

This information is for the Rainy Pass north parking lot.

The drive to the trailhead is relatively straightforward once you get to Highway 20/North Cascades Highway. You will follow Highway 20 east for 51 miles until you reach Rainy Pass. The trailhead will be on the left.

If you are hiking during larch season, you will see cars lining both sides of the street. It is improbable that you will find a parking spot this time of year unless you get to the trailhead by 5 AM, if not earlier.

There is a possibility that your GPS takes you through Darrington. If that is the case, you should absolutely grab coffee and a bagel at Moe’s Coffeehouse.

Trailhead Facilities

There are two pit toilets at the trailhead for Cutthroat Pass. There are no garbage cans, and garbage should not be left in the pit toilets. Anything you pack in should be packed out.

There are additional toilets and picnic benches at the Rainy Pass south parking lot across the street.

Season to Visit

Photo taken in late September, right before true Larch Season.

The best time to hike Cutthroat Pass is mid-July through mid-October. Even in July, it is likely that snow will be lingering at the higher altitudes.

In late July and August, you will find gorgeous displays of wildflowers, but what most people want to see in the area are the golden larches. In late September, the larches start to turn from a rich green color to a vibrant golden yellow. Prime larch season is typically the first two weeks of October, with a variation of one week before or after, depending on the year.

However, October is also when snow begins to fall in the North Cascades. Pack appropriately and anticipate cold nights this time of year.

If you have the opportunity to hike this trail during larch season, I cannot recommend it enough. But it is just as beautiful in late summer if you want to avoid the crowds.

Passes/Permits

The only pass you will need for hiking or backpacking Cutthroat Pass is a Northwest Forest Pass.

A Northwest Forest Pass offers annual access to all National Forests in Washington and Oregon. There is a yearly cost of $30.

Having this pass is a must. People who do not keep the pass on their dashboard, especially during Larch season, will find a ticket on their windshield when they return to their car.

You can purchase the pass here!

Hiking to Cutthroat Pass

Here is a detailed breakdown of hiking to Cutthroat Pass via the PCT from the Rainy Pass north parking lot. You will find additional variations further down if you’re looking to extend your trip!

When I hiked this trail, the parking lot was closed, and there was a trail reroute along Highway 20 that led straight to the start of the trail, bypassing the parking lot.

Trailhead to Waterfall (~2.5 miles)

Once you’re on the trail, you’ll find out just how gentle the grade is at no more than 15% the entire way, but mainly in the 7-10% range.

The trail is relatively wide with hard, packed dirt surrounded by dense pines. The long switchbacks are easy to follow as you weave through the valley leading up to the pass. Scattered along the trail, there are a few PCT campsites that are nice for taking a quick rest or hydrating.

This section features a good number of streams with a decent flow, making it easy to filter water along the way for backpackers.

Every once in a while, the trees open up, and you will catch glimpses of the surrounding mountains. But once you’re about 2.5 miles into the trail, you will reach a wide waterfall from Porcupine Creek with open views of Cutthroat Peak and Cutthroat Pass to your right.

It is at this waterfall that you will have your last good water source for filtering water, especially if you plan on camping at the pass. Even if you aren’t short on water yet, you should consider filtering water here so you have enough for the remainder of the trail.

Waterfall to Cutthroat Pass (~2.4 miles)

Once you pass the 2.5-mile mark, the trail begins to open up and the trees start to thin. There will be a few sections leading up to the pass where you will experience dense tree cover, but for the most part, you will be fully exposed to the sun.

While the trail still maintains its gentle incline, the switchbacks start to shorten in length. But by this time, the end is in sight!

There is a marked campground at the start of Porcupine Creek, just before the first of five switchbacks up to the pass. These campsites are large and secluded with a water source. Later in the season, the water source does get pretty low, and you’ll find it to be more standing water than creek.

By the time you reach the first switchback, there are large groups of larches lining the trail. You’ll get an occasional viewpoint of Porcupine Peak, where you can keep an eye out for mountain goats.

As you approach Cutthroat Pass, you’ll notice that the terrain becomes rockier with more sporadic trees.

The last 0.5 mile has extraordinary views looking over the valley as you wind your way up to the pass. You’ll see plenty of campsites in this strip of trail, though some of them are not very flat.

Cutthroat Pass

At the pass, you will see a wide open space with large extruding rocky surfaces, great for resting and taking in the views. From the pass, you can look northwest and see Cutthroat Lake, Hinkhouse Peak, Silver Star Mountain, and the PCT as it winds around the mountain toward Tower Mountain.

There are no water sources at the pass.

From here, you have a couple of options for day hiking:

  1. Turn around and hike back down to Rainy Pass
  2. Take the Cutthroat Creek Trail down to Cutthroat Lake and out toward the Cutthroat Parking Lot
  3. Extend your trip by hiking up towards Cutthroat Peak using the primitive trail at the pass

If you’re backpacking, you also have a few options:

  1. Set up camp at Cutthroat Pass
  2. Hike down to Cutthroat Lake and Camp
  3. Continue on the PCT until you reach the Snowy Lakes Trail and camp at Lower or Upper Snowy Lakes.

Related Read: Hiking Maple Pass Loop in Larch Season

Backpacking at Cutthroat Pass

If you have the option to backpack Cutthroat Pass, it is worth it. The gentle grade of the trail means that, even carrying a heavy pack, it is still a pretty accessible trail for beginners.

The most challenging part is finding a large flat area to set up camp if you are going with more than one person.

Here are some things to consider when backpacking Cutthroat Pass:

  • Water: There is no water at the pass to filter. At the large stream at the 2.5-mile mark, filter water and consider bringing either a large reservoir like the Hydapak Seeker or your gravity filter.
  • Permits: No additional permits are required for this trail. Make sure you leave your Northwest Forest Pass on your car dashboard.
  • Wind: The pass can get extremely windy. Find a flat campground with some tree cover to help break up intense winds and make sure your tent is well staked.
  • Cold: Even in the summer months, the pass can be chilly at night. Make sure your sleeping pad has a high R-value and that your sleeping bag is warm enough. Pack a sleeping bag liner for additional comfort.
  • People: Especially during the larch season, you will be surrounded by plenty of people. The later you start, the more likely it is to get a less-than-ideal campsite.
  • Smoke: Unfortunately, the larch season can overlap with the Wildfire season; consider if it is safe before heading out. Smoke can roll it quickly here.
  • Catholes: You can bury your poop in catholes here. Make sure the hole is 6-8 inches deep and 200 feet from water sources and trails. Toilet paper and wipes need to be packed out.
  • Fires: Fires are prohibited here.

If you have questions about backpacking Cutthroat Pass, let me know!

Read Next: Blue Lake Trail in North Cascades

Backpacking Itinerary Suggestions for Cutthroat

Most people headed up to Cutthroat Pass are day hiking, so if you want to enjoy a little more alone time at the pass, backpacking is the way to go.

Here are some itinerary suggestions for hiking Cutthroat Pass Trail.

1 Night / 2 Day Trip

Day 1: Start at Rainy Pass in the late morning or afternoon and hike the 4.9 miles to Cutthroat Pass. Set up camp at one of the dispersed sites and spend the evening watching the sunset. Optional: Wake up to see the Milky Way in the wee hours of the night.

Day 2: Wake up for sunrise, then pack up and head back to your car. You’ll have plenty of time to eat in Darrington or Concrete.

2 Night / 3 Day Trip

Day 1: Again, hike up to Cutthroat Pass to camp. Watch the sunset from the vista near Cutthroat Peak.

Day 2: Hike to Snowy Lakes and set up camp. Brave the cold alpine lakes for a cold plunge.

Day 3: Have a long hike back to Rainy Pass.

2 Nights / 3 Day Trip

Day 1: Set up camp at Cutthroat Lake and catch sunset.

Day 2: Day hike to Granite Pass or Snowy Lakes. Camp a second night at Cutthroat Pass. Make sure you have enough water to last you the day hike and spend a second night at Cutthroat Pass.

Day 3: Pack up and head back to Rainy Pass.

Related Read: Lake Ingalls Trail

Gear to Bring for Cutthroat Pass

Even though this trail. It is relatively straightforward; there is some gear I would recommend, especially for backpackers. This is not a comprehensive packing list for backpacking, but rather what I would recommend specifically for Cutthroat Pass.

For a complete list of my backpacking gear recommendations, check out this post.

  • Water Filter and Water Reservoir to hold large amounts of water since there are no water sources at the pass.
  • A camp stove windscreen to keep the wind from extinguishing your stove in the high winds at the pass.
  • A bear canister is required for this area. There isn’t a good option for doing a bear hang at the pass.
  • Sleeping bag liners can add some significant warmth to your bag, which will be needed later in the season.
  • An essential for me on cold nights is hot chocolate.

If you have questions on gear, let me know! I’d love to give out some suggestions.

Read Next: Washington Guide to Larches

Cutthroat Pass Variations & Extensions

This side of Highway 20 has some incredible trails that are not well-known. Depending on what your objective is for hiking in this area, consider one of these alternatives.

Point-to-Point

If you have two cars, or are willing to hitch a ride, you can hike this trail point to point, beginning at Rainy Pass north parking lot and ending at Cutthroat Lake trailhead.

Depending on your preference, you can hike the trail in either direction. Beginning at Rainy Pass offers a gentler ascent to the pass, but a steeper descent down to Cutthroat Lake. And vice versa.

With two cars, you can complete a car drop, so there is a car on both sides.

Camping is not allowed within 0.25 miles of the lake, so backpacking isn’t the best option, but it’s up to you.

This route is perfectly doable as a day hike.

Cutthroat Peak Ridge

For more extensive views of the area, you can follow the Cutthroat Peak Trail. Climbing up to Cutthroat Peak requires climbing and mountaineering experience, but you can hike pretty far on this trail for more incredible views.

Many people who day hike to Cutthroat Pass hike up this primitive trail to extend their trip.

Snowy Lakes Trail

If you want to do a more challenging overnight, consider Upper or Lower Snowy Lakes. When people hike to these lakes, they typically start at the Cutthroat Lake Trailhead, but either option works.

After reaching the pass, you will continue on the PCT between Porcupine Mountain and Tower Mountain for five miles with minimal elevation gain until you reach the Snowy Lakes Trail.

To get to the Upper and Lower Lakes, you will descend about 500 feet. From here, you have your choice of lakes to stay at. There is a trail that circulates Upper Snowy Lake and a pit toilet at Lower Snowy Lake.

Trail stats for Upper Snowy Lake: 20.6 miles & 4,104 feet gain from Rainy Pass.

Related Read: Esmeralda Basin

Frequently Asked Questions about Cutthroat Pass

If your question is not answered below, let me know in the comments, and I would be happy to answer it!

Can you camp at Cutthroat Pass?

Yes, you can camp at Cutthroat Pass at one of the dispersed campsites around the pass. There is no water at the pass, so bring enough water for your overnight and back down the trail.

Don’t forget to leave your Northwest Forest Pass in your dashboard.

Is the hike dog-friendly?

Cutthroat Pass is a dog-friendly trail. Just keep in mind that the terrain is rocky in places with limited water sources. The exposed sections of the trail can also get pretty hot. You know your dog best and what they can handle. 🙂

When do larches peak at Cutthroat Pass?

The larches typically begin to turn in late September and eventually peak in early October. The timing can vary year to year, but October is considered the best time for larches in Washington.

Learn more about the larch season in Washington here!

Is Cutthroat Pass a crowded trail?

While this trail gets busy during larch season, it is not as busy as Maple Pass Loop or Blue Lake. However, you will find the trail is significantly busier during the larch season than at other points of the year.

Remember, you’re part of the crowd too. We’re all just out there trying to see something beautiful.

Read Next: Navaho Peak Trail Guide

Should Cutthroat Pass be a 100 Classic Hikes of Washington?

I am hiking all “100 Classic Hikes of Washington”, a trail guide by Craig Ramano. It was the first trail guide I purchased after moving to Washington, and I’ve been slowly checking off trails. But the question is, should Cutthroat Pass via the PCT be a 100 Classic Hikes of Washington?

If you’ve read any of my previous blog posts for 100 classic hikes, you’ll know that I am a big fan of every trail along the PCT, and this trail is no exception. As a day hike or as an overnight, this trail is worthy of all of its praise, especially during the Larch season.

This is a trail that I will find myself on over and over again without growing bored. It is my number one recommendation for larch hikes to people who ask.

What do you think? Is it worthy of the title?

To begin your own 100 Classic Hike journey, you can purchase the trail guide here!

Find ALL of my 100 Classic Hike Guides Here!

Other Trails in the Area

Larches on a mountain in North Cascades Cutthroat Pass
Maple Pass Loop

The North Cascades have some spectacular trails. If you can’t get enough, here are some other recommendations for you that are in the area.

  • Maple Pass Loop: This is a classic trail during larch season. It also offers some backpacking opportunities.
  • Blue Lake: This short and sweet trail is excellent in the summer and fall. Consider jumping in!
  • Windy Pass: Also along the PCT, this moderate trail has incredible views the entire way.
  • Hidden Lake Lookout: A strenuous, knee-breaking trail with 360-degree views from a beautiful fire lookout.
  • Cascade Pass-Sahale Arm: A classic, but strenuous fall hike with one of the best backcountry sites in the state.

Pack it up

As you begin your plans to hike up to Cutthroat Pass, remember to check road conditions, weather conditions, and trail conditions ahead of time. My favorite way to check trail reports is on Washington Trails Association, where other hikers have the option to write in-depth trail reviews and reports.

If you have the opportunity to backpack Cutthroat Pass, definitely do it! It is just as incredible as a day hike, but watching the sunset and sunrise from the pass is worth it.

Want to grab a post-hike beer and burger after hiking to Cutthroat Pass? Head to Birdsview Diner in Concrete. Anytime I have the opportunity to stop here, I take it! They have the best onion rings, burgers, and a few beer options. They also have amazing milkshakes. You can’t go wrong here!

If you’re interested in following my 100 Classic Hikes journey, check out my Instagram!

Happy Hiking!

Save for Later!
Save for Later!