Maple Pass Loop: Washington’s Best Larch Hike

Maple Pass Loop is one of the most popular hikes in North Cascades National Park. The trail gains in popularity throughout the year and it reaches its peak in October. You might be curious about why it is so popular during such a specific time of year. The answer would be larches. 

Hikers from all over come to the North Cascades to witness the golden larches in late fall. A larch is a deciduous conifer whose needles turn a golden-yellow color before falling off the tree. 

Along the North Cascades Highway are some of the best larch hikes in Washington State; Maple Pass being one of them. 

In this guide, I will share all you need to know about this phenomenal fall hike in Washington.

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Complete Trail Guide to Maple Pass Loop in North Cascades National Park

While there is no right or wrong time to hike the Maple Pass Loop Trail, there is definitely a preferred time. The trail has gained in popularity in the last four years as people post Instagram-worthy reels of them walking through a golden forest. 

In this guide, I will share my tips for hiking this spectacular trail during the height of larch season, along with everything you’ll need on the way.

Accessing the Maple Pass Loop Trailhead

Information about the Maple Pass Trailhead is relatively straightforward as it is one of the larger parking lots in the area.

Where is Maple Pass Located?

Maple Pass is located on the ancestral lands of the Confederated tribes of the Colville Reservation, Cayuse, Umatilla, Walla Walla, Yakama, Syilx, and Chelan tribes. We are grateful for the stewards of this land past and present. We are honored to be and recognize that we are guests on this land.

Getting to the Trailhead

The trailhead’s parking lot is located off of North Cascades Highway. There is a large sign that says “Rainy Pass Trailhead” on the right side of the road.  The parking lot has room for 40 cars which fills up fast so getting to the trailhead early is super important!

Trailhead Facilities

There are picnic benches and pit toilets at the trailhead.

Season to Visit

The trail is accessible from July to November(-ish). However, if you want to see larches on the trail, the best time to go is the first two weeks of October. 
For more information about larches, you can read this article by WTA.

Passes/Permits

North Cascades National Park does not require a National Park Pass. 
However, to park at the trailhead you will need a Northwest Forest Pass. A Northwest Forest Pass is good for all National Forests in Washington and Oregon. The pass has an annual cost of $30 and can be purchased here.

While a National Park Pass is not required, you can use a National Park Pass instead of a Northwest Forest Pass if you have one. 

Let’s get into how to hike Maple Pass Loop Trail in North Cascades!

Hiking Maple Pass Loop

Hiking the Maple Pass Loop Trail was an amazing experience during Larch Season. Here is a mile-by-mile guide to hiking this 7-mile trail.

Mile 1

I began by hiking Maple Pass counter-clockwise. Hiking counter-clockwise distributed the elevation gain over a longer amount of trail.

You begin the first mile gaining elevation immediately through a forested area. There aren’t a ton of fall colors to be seen until about 0.8 miles in where the forest opens up in a meadow and views of surrounding peaks can be seen. This was also a good stopping point for taking off my coat which I no longer needed.

Mile 2

Just after you get to Bridge Creek is the branch off-trail for Lake Ann. To stay on the Maple Pass Trail, keep to the right. A couple of hikers hiked down to Lake Ann since it is only about 0.5 miles down to the lake.

Continuing past the Lake Ann trail split, elevation gain begins to increase in grade. There are a couple of switchbacks at 1.6 miles in where you begin to see uninhibited views of Lake Ann from above.

I will say that with how early I started the trail, the view of Lake Ann Basin was pretty dark since the sun hadn’t risen over the side of the mountain yet. At about two miles in, another trail branches off from the Maple Pass Trail, Wing Lake Trail. There were a couple of backpackers headed over that way! 

Mile 3

Mile 3 on the Maple Pass Loop begins with an epic viewpoint of Heather Pass Meadows. You can see Lewis Lake in the distance. Many people were stopped here for a snack break.

There are a number of phenomenal places on mile three that are great for stopping which I would recommend to both take in the views of Lake Ann and to rest before reaching Maple Pass.

Read Next: Blue Lake Trail Guide

Mile 4

Hiking mile 4 brings you around the rim of the Lake Ann basin as you climb the last remaining elevation of the trail. The views are epic this entire section of the trail and at 3.7 miles you begin to lose elevation.

There are two off-shoot trails that you can hike at the 3.7-mile mark where you can get a close look at the basin and views of the North Cascades National Park Complex. 

Follow the switchbacks down the trail for the last 0.3 miles to reach mile 4.

Mile 5

Mile 5 continues down the ridgeline of the opposite side of the basin to complete the loop. The trail is easy to follow but relatively narrow. 

Elevation loss is pretty steep on this section of the trail, which is why I think hiking Maple Pass Loop counter-clockwise is the preferred route for this trail. There wasn’t a ton to note about mile 5 other than that as the trail got busier later in the day, it was a little slower going.

Mile 6

The hike continued into the forest where you will lose sight of Lake Ann and many of the larches. The forest canopy opens up as you continue down steep switchbacks.

With the heavy use of the trail and wet conditions, there were many sections of this part of the trail that were slippery and challenging to navigate. 

Right at mile 6, the trail begins to level out for the first time in the entire trail.

Mile 7

The remaining 0.5 mile of the trail is along the Rainy Lake Trail which runs parallel to the PCT.

This small section of trail is paved with a couple of benches. It is a phenomenal cool down(or warm up if you choose to hike the trail clockwise). 

Hope this section helps you with your trail planning! But now for the fun part of determining if this trail should be a 100 Classic Hike of Washington!

Should Maple Pass Loop be a 100 Classic Hike of Washington?

I am hiking all “100 Classic Hikes of Washington”. But the question is, Should Maple Pass Loop be a 100 Classic Hike of Washington? 

For some background, the 100 Classic Hikes of Washington are a collection of hikes across Washington that have been deemed the best trails and all-encompassing of what it means to hike in Washington. 

Maple Pass Loop was an EPIC trail. It was easy to follow, accessible to a broad group of people, and well taken care of by the park service. I wouldn’t be surprised if a permit system gets put in place for some of the common “Larch Hikes” in the next couple of years. 

The parking lot is full by 7 am during peak larch season and there are miles of cars parked along the roadside with hikers. 

This trail should absolutely be a 100 Classic Hike of Washington. 

Let me know in the comments if you think Maple Pass Loop should be a 100 Classic Hike of Washington! 

If you’d like to complete your own 100 Classic Hikes journey, you can purchase the book here.

What to Pack for Maple Pass Loop

When hiking Maple Pass Loop, there are a handful of items I would consider packing with you, especially if you’re planning on hiking during the larch season. 

As always pack the ten essentials of hiking, which will be helpful in case of an emergency. If you’re not sure what the ten essentials of hiking are, you can read about them here.

Layers

The weather conditions in North Cascade National Park vary, but you can count on it being cold in the morning and warm in the afternoon. Bring a number of layers to keep you comfortable throughout the day.

Sunshirt or Base Layer

Depending on how warm it will get during the day, wear a sun shirt or base layer that you’ll be warm in and protected from the sun. I wear the Sahara sun shirt from REI year-round because it keeps me cool on a hot day and protects me from UV. 
On extremely cold days, I will switch my sunshirt to the Smartwool Merino Wool Base Layer.

Mico Puff or Light Jacket

Bring a jacket that can fit in your day pack. I had my jacket on at the beginning of the trail and quickly took it off as soon as the sun came out. 

When we were sitting and enjoying the views I cooled off and put my jacket back on. My two favorite jackets are the Patagonia Nanopuff and the Arcteryx Atom Hoodie.

Rain Jacket

You never know when a small rain cloud will come out of nowhere in North Cascades National Park. Bring a rain jacket just in case! I love the Black Diamond Stormline Stretch.

Not sure what to wear hiking in the fall? Read Here!

Gear

Consider packing the following gear for your trek around Maple Pass Loop!

Hiking Boots

Wear a sturdy pair of hiking boots on the trail. The trail has some rocky spots in which a sturdy pair of boots would be helpful. I love the Oboz Bridger boots paired with Darn Tough Wool Socks.

Sit Pad

I bring the Nemo Sit Pad on every trail I hike. I love having a comfortable(and clean) place to sit. It is especially helpful when the ground is wet or snowy.

FujiFilm X100V

The Fujifilm X100V Digital Camera is my favorite camera for taking quick, professional-quality photos on the trail. With the fixed wide lens it is perfect for landscape photography. A little expensive but as a solo camera, or for someone to get into photography, it is perfect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Check out the answers to some frequently asked questions about the Maple Pass Loop Trail…

What direction should you hike Maple Pass Loop?

I recommend hiking Maple Pass Loop counterclockwise. It distributes the elevation gain over a long period, making the grade shallow. The trail is easy to follow and it is easier to navigate up the different rocky areas.

How Hard is Maple Pass Loop?

The Maple Pass Loop Trail is rated as moderate to hard. This is not an easy trail so should only be attempted by people who have some hiking experience. Going counterclockwise makes the trail a little easier.

Are there bears in Maple Pass Loop North Cascades?

Yes, there are bears in the Maple Pass Loop. Black Bears are in North Cascades National Park so you should be prepared to come across one. While they typically avoid areas with people, they can still be found on the trail.

Other Trails in the Area

Some other popular larch hikes in the area include…

Esmeralda Basin Trail

Esmeralda Basin is a popular trail for trail running and larch viewing. It is a longer trail, but has some popular vistas to take in the larches and surrounding mountains!
Read More About Esmeralda Basin Here!

Lake Ingalls

This is one of my favorite trails for looking at larches! The elevation gain is moderate, but there is a scramble at the end to get to the lake. Highly recommend adding this one to your list!
Plan Your Trek Here!

Blue Lake

Blue Lake is an easy trail down Highway 2 from the Maple Pass Loop Trailhead. The trail ends at Blue Lake surrounded by golden larches. If you’re feeling brave, jump in!

Read the Blue Lake Trail Guide Here!

Pack It Up

Maple Pass Loop is one of the best trails in North Cascades for viewing larches. Be prepared to be hiking with a lot of people, but with the length of the trail, after the first mile, people tend to spread out. 

If you feel up to it, consider hiking down to Lake Ann to get a different perspective of the basin that the Maple Pass Loop Trail circumvents. 

If you have any questions about this popular fall hike in Washington, feel free to drop me a question in the comments! 

Otherwise, Happy Hiking!