Maple Pass Loop is one of the most popular hikes in North Cascades National Park. The trail gains popularity throughout the year while the snow melts and the days get longer, reaching 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 is 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 few years as people post Instagram-worthy reels of themselves 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.

Quick Overview of Maple Pass Loop

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 in the center of the parking area near the trailhead.

Even if you weren’t hiking this trail, the Rainy Pass Picnic Area is a great place to stop for lunch and a bathroom break.

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 byWTA.

Hiking Maple Pass in the Summer

Like all alpine lakes in Washington, Ann Lake at the center of the Maple Pass Loop is absolutely beautiful. The brilliant blue skies, lush green foliage, and impressive mountain peaks make this trail truly incredible in the summer.

By July, you can typically expect most of the snow to be melted with a few patches along the trail. By August, almost all of the snow in the area has melted.

Summer is the best time to take the detour to Ann Lake for a quick dip or quiet lunch spot.

Hiking Maple Pass in the Fall

Fall is the most popular time to hike this trail. Blueberry bushes turn a vibrant red, and in late September to early October, larches are a brilliant golden color.

You will find milder temperatures and a busier parking lot.

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 costs $30 annually 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. 

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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 distributes the elevation gain over a longer amount of trail. Going counter-clockwise has a steeper descent on the way back to the trailhead, so if you would prefer a more gradual descent, you might want to go clockwise.

You begin the first mile by immediately gaining elevation through a forested area. There weren’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 the surrounding mountain 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, the trail branches off for Lake Ann. To stay on the main trail keep to the right. A couple of hikers hiked down to Lake Ann because it is only about 0.5 miles away. If you have the time, I would recommend heading down there.

Continuing past the Lake Ann trail split, the 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 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. From here, you can see Black Peak, Corteo Peak, and Cutthroat 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 in this entire section of the trail, and at 3.7 miles, you begin to lose elevation. This area has the highest elevation of the trail and makes for some incredible panoramic views of the Cascade Mountains, especially on sunny days.

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 is relatively narrow. 

Elevation loss is pretty steep on this section of the trail, which is why I think hiking the Maple Pass Loop clockwise is the preferred route. 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 old-growth 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!

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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 Hikes of Washington? 

For some background, the 100 Classic Hikes of Washington is a collection of hikes across Washington that have been deemed the best trails and encompass 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.

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

1. Layers: I would recommend a sunshirt in the summer or a wool base layer in the fall.
2. Insulating Jacket: Even in the summer, it can be cool at high elevations. Bring a micropuff or light jacket for warmth.
3. Rain Jacket: You cannot go on a hike in Washington without a rain jacket! My favorite rain jacket is the Black Diamond Fineline jacket.
4. Sturdy Hiking Boots: My go-to hiking boots are the Oboz Bridger. After four years, I remain blister-free in these boots, paired with some Darn Tough Wool Socks.
5. Sit Pad: With the gorgeous views on this trail, it is vital to sit and enjoy the view. I always bring this Nemo Sit Pad with me on day hikes.
6. Camera: All the photos in this blog post were taken on my Fujifilm X100V, the perfect adventure travel camera.

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

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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 it 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. Learn more about bears in the North Cascades here.

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Other Trails in the Area

Some other popular larch hikes in the area include…

1. 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!

2. 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!

3. 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!

4. Cutthroat Pass

Cutthroat Pass via the PCT is an extremely popular larch hike in the North Cascades. While it is a longer trail, the elevation gain is extremely gradual. This is a great backpacking trail, as long as you’re fine with a long water carry, since there is rarely running water up at the pass that you can filter.

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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!