Heather to Maple Pass Loop Trail view of Ann Lake

@michaelmatti

Washington

•

Stehekin

Less than three hours from Seattle, a stunning alpine landscape beckons. This beautiful hike in the North Cascades National Park should definitely be on your PNW hiking list — if it isn't already! A loop hike with many fabulous changing faces throughout the seasons, featuring ridge lines blanketed in wildflowers during summer, lakes ringed with golden larches in fall and before the highway closes for the season, it's a dramatic place to experience early winter’s snow. You'll be rewarded with a multitude of photographic opportunities, as well as the peaceful solitude of the mountains.

Plan

Overview

Skill level

Difficult

Accessbility

Public Location

Hours

Anytime (when the road is open) Check for latest info and updates on the official National Park Service website: https://www.nps.gov/noca/index.htm

Fee

$5.00 parking fee, or Free with a Northwest Forest Pass or an America the Beautiful Pass

Pack

Wide-angle lens (20mm)
Hiking shoes
Microspikes for your shoes (if icy conditions)
Several layers of clothing

How to get there

N48° 30' 24.138"W120° 46' 00.012"

This photo was taken near the top of the ridge on the Heather to Maple Pass Loop Trail. In total, the hike is about 2.5 miles to reach this vantage point and the best views of the lake. This point is about 0.5 miles from the top of the pass. While this hike can be done as a loop, using the track on the north side of the lake is a much shorter distance to access the best viewpoint. To get to this point, you'll need to head out on hwy 20 (North Cascades Highway) to the Rainy Pass Trailhead (48.516675, -120.736202). Coming from the west, this is 26 miles past the Diablo Lake viewpoint. Once parked, simply follow the signs for Heather - Maple Pass. Stay to the right at the first split at the trailhead and then stay to the right again when you come to the next split which goes down to the lake. There will be a third split off that goes to Wing Lake. Stay to the left here. Always check the Washington Trails Association website before visitng: https://www.wta.org