Heather - Maple Pass Loop, Lake Ann (Rainy Pass) — Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20

I hiked this on 10/10/14 and the larches were probably peaking a bit more than they were today (10/1/15) Regardless, this is an absolutely grade-A destination in the fall. This hike really has it all - it's a loop, there are a few lakes, peaks in every direction, larches everywhere (particularly around and beyond the two passes) and tons of other fall color. Left Seattle at 4:30am and was on the trail at 7:30am. If you're looking to do this in the 'prescribed' direction of clockwise, ignore the first trailhead and head towards Rainy Lake before forking off and heading up towards Maple Pass. I've done this both directions now and am relatively indifferent - the incline is steeper towards Maple Pass and if you want to add-on Lake Ann on the end, that's the best way to do it. The larches just below Maple Pass are looking really nice. In general, the area below Maple Pass is pretty stunning. Once you reach the pass, definitely climb up to the left and also follow the ridge to the right before continuing on. There are not too many larches in between Maple and Heather passes, but I think that is pretty normal. You will find some nice views out towards Glacier Peak and really great views down towards Lake Ann. Before heading down to Heather Pass, definitely climb the 'unnamed knoll' for great views of Corteo and Black Peaks as well as Lewis Lake. The views back towards Maple Pass are also pretty stunning up that way. There are plenty of larches around Heather Pass, particularly if you fork down towards the boulder field heading to Lewis Lake. I didn't head all the way out there, but did poke around and took in the larches. Descending from Heather Pass is pretty uneventful. I wandered over to Lake Ann to see if the infamous moose was hanging around. He was not :( 11 miles in 5 hours with a 10 minute break and hundreds of pictures.