Why Maple Pass Loop is the Ultimate North Cascades Hike
Maple Pass Loop is a popular hike in the North Cascades National Park (WA). Due to its vicinity to both the Canadian border and Seattle, it attracts yearly a lot of visitors. One of the best times to visit the national park is in Fall, around end of September. This is when the fall foliage is at its peak. The meadows burst with fall colors and the slopes of the mountains are covered by red and orange fields. If you adventure further in the alpine area, you’ll also find golden larches scattered in the valley.
The North Cascades National Park is a dream destination for nature lovers. It is often referred to as the American Alps and it includes more than 300 glaciers. The national park gets its name from the endless waterfalls tucked away in the mountain range.
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How to get to Maple Pass Trailhead
The trailhead of Maple Pass Loop trail is easily accessible from the Highway 20. We started off in Vancouver, Canada and crossed the border early in the morning. From here we drove south of Bellingham and took Cook Rd just before Burlington. Thereafter, we followed the road until we reached the destination. It took us approx. 4 hours to drive to the trailhead.
At the trailhead there is a paid parking area ($5 per vehicle), which fills up quite quickly. But, there is plenty of space along the sides of the highway to park your car for free.
Weather
We started the hike in fall and finished it in winter, over the course of two days. Naturally, we checked the weather before getting into the backcountry. But, overnight the clouds came in, temperatures dropped and snow started coming down.
This is a reminder to always be prepared and have the required equipment when in the mountains. We did Maple Pass Loop hike in the last weekend of September. Especially at night, temperature dropped below 0°C and we woke up to a frozen tent.
Camping near Maple Pass Loop
Camping around the Maple Pass Loop is not allowed. If you wish to camp nearby, you have to leave the loop at Heather Pass and hike to Lewis Lake.
You don’t need any reservations or pay any fees to camp here. As soon as you reach the alpine lake, you will find a larger camping spot. It can accommodate 2-3 tents and is right next to the path. Just a few meters ahead, you’ll find a small spot suitable for a one or two-person tent. If you’re lucky to secure this spot you’ll benefit from a very pretty scenery of the alpine lake. For more camping options, head to the hills on your right. There, you’ll discover at least three flat areas perfect for setting up camp.
Another option, is hiking to Wing Lake for the night. Camping during the shoulder season can lead to significantly colder nights, so be sure to pack the appropriate gear.
Things To Know
Below are some key items you should know before planning a trip to Maple Pass Loop trail:
- To access the North Cascades National Park, you need to display a Northwest Forest Pass. Alternatively, you can show an America The Beautiful Pass.
- Check the weather forecast and ensure you have the appropriate gear. Be especially cautious during the shoulder season, as conditions can change quickly.
- North Cascades Highway closes seasonally. This generally occurs between November and April/May. The closure is from the Ross Dam Trailhead to Lone Fir Campground due to avalanche danger. If you’re visiting during these months, plan accordingly. This is the only highway through the park.
2 Day Hiking: Our Itinerary
Day 1: Trailhead – Heather Pass – Lewis Lake
Max altitude: 1,855 m / 6,086 feet | Elevation gain: 373 m / 1,224 ft | Total distance: 5.3 km / 3.3 miles | Hiking Time: 2.5 / 3 hours
The trailhead to the Maple pass loop hike is very easy to find. We started the hike counter-clockwise. The first stretch in the woods is an easy hike slightly uphill that leads straight to a first colorful field. From here you continue on the well marked path to Heather Pass. It took us approx. 1.5-2 hours to reach this point.
Since we planned on spending the night camping in the backcountry, we steered right towards Lewis Lake. Please remember that camping is not permitted along the Maple Pass Loop trail. The nearest designated camping areas are at the two alpine lakes of Lewis Lake and Wing Lake. From Heather Pass to Lewis Lake you need to cross a talus field. We recommend staying close to the tree line on the right, to avoid climbing over the rocks. This stretch took us around 1 hour to cross.
Day 2: Lewis Lake – Wing Lake – Heather Pass – Maple Pass – Trailhead
Max altitude: 2,122 m / 6,950 feet | Elevation gain: 378 m / 1,240 ft | Total distance: 10.9 km / 6.8 miles | Hiking Time: 4.5 / 5 hours
We spent the night at Lewis Lake and we hiked to Wing Lake first thing in the morning. We decided to leave our heavier equipment behind and just do the hike to Wing Lake with a day pack. In 1 hour we reached the alpine lake, while enjoying the fall colors, meadows and golden larches. Although we hiked uphill the entire time, the dramatic views paid off for the effort.
After making our way back to Lewis Lake, we stopped for a quick lunch. Then we packed our belongings and traversed the talus field back to Heather Pass. At this point, a light layer of snow started covering the grounds. But we were determined to hike the loop. From Heather Pass, we pushed on toward Maple Pass. The panoramic view was gradually disappearing beneath a blanket of fog. Luckily, we were able to glance down at Ann Lake and the surrounding mountains one last time.
After one last hill, the descent began, winding down in a series of switchbacks. The trail wasn’t slippery, but caution was still advised. The first section followed the rim, offering breathtaking views before plunging into the woods. After about 1.5 hours of navigating the turns and twists, we completed the downhill and returned to our car.
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