What's happening at Maple Pass? A beautiful day, mountains in view everywhere, but there was some haze from all the fires. There was some warnings about aggressive goats and the usual bear warnings, but we didn't see any. Some ripe berries, mtn. ash and huckleberries. No trail issues,not too many people either for such a popular trail. We took the trail counterclockwise doing the steeper part on the way down. There is some fall color starting, I decided to put fall color pictures in instead of mtns.

Did the Maple Pass loop in the direction indicated in the description (saving the steep descent for last). Also took the spur off the trail to Lake Ann. Probably would not have done that if we'd known how many views of the lake we would get later on, but it's an easy flat detour so no harm done. There are a few ripe blueberries / huckleberries out in the high meadows, but they're getting a little scarce. The ground cover is starting to turn orange and red, but doesn't seem to be at its peak yet. The major issue to be aware of is that there's no water along this trail at the moment, except for a couple streams at the very end along the paved path. It was a pretty warm day, so I drank most of my water on the climb up, and the only option to refill was to scoop snow from a couple small snow patches near the top (which won't be around for long). You may also want to review the route in advance and make sure you know where you're going. There are a couple trails branching off in places and they're generally not signed. But just keeping in mind that you're doing a loop around Lake Ann should help. We also saw a bear in the distance, foraging for berries on the headwall above Lake Ann. Some other hikers said there was another bear around someplace higher up. So the usual bear precautions would probably be a good idea.

We tented at Pearygin State Park. Day hiked loop. Took the WTA article with us and pulled it out various time along the way to share adjectives with other hikers. Lots of laughs. The description of the hike was over the top, but.....it was all true!!! And yes, my co-hikers did sing Julie Andrew Sound of Music songs..... Huckleberries were limited. Wildflowers beautiful. Last half mile of our hike we assisted a hiker in severe distress. He had been hiking with a group but had stayed behind to take pictures. He developed a severe headache. When we met him on the trail he was pale, dehydrated, weak and un-coordinated. Very scary! He was unable to walk on his own. We were able to walk him out to his group, and encouraged them to get him to a medical facility. Weather was awesome until our last night at Pearygin. Rain, thunder, lightening.... Came home to Wenatchee to a big canyon fire caused by the same storm.

We went to Rainy Lake first so Scout could swim, then backtracked to the Maple Pass trail and head clockwise, doing the steeper section first. And we climbed! The views made stopping frequently worth it. After 20 minutes, I stripped off one shirt, after 40 minutes I drank a lot of water, and after an hour I need to eat! Bill got to the highest point, the spine saddle before Frisco Peak, and I met him and Scout for a short break, after about 3 hours of hiking, we’d done 4 miles total. Then the down began. Again, more spectacular views – Glacier Peak to the southwest was clear to the eye, not the camera. This hike was more challenging than I expected, based on the descriptions by Manning and Romano. Foot placement was key, and the trail is very narrow. I’m glad we did it on a weekday after the holiday weekend. It would have been annoying to hike it with a crowd. One couple had a bear encounter near the Heather Pass junction – off trail, eating lunch in the shade. We stayed close together til we got past that area. Wildflowers are past peak, but still lots of color as they fade. A marmot called out to us as we passed the last rock/boulder field after Lake Ann. Interesting note: the NPS was doing a butterfly study on the trail above Rainy Lake. Markers on the edge of the trail indicated sections and there were some folks out with butterfly nets… We started from the car at 10:18 and returned at 3:15, tired and happy. All in all we had a great hike after many years of passing this one by on the way to and from Winthrop on holiday weekends.

A great weekend of weather forecasted so I headed out a 5:00am on Hike #34 this year at The Heather-Maple Pass Loop Trail which is located along Highway 20 at The Rainy Lake Trailhead (North Cascades Scenic Highway Rainy Pass Picnic Area Sign). This trail is about a 7.2 mile loop and is recommended by most people to hike in a counter clockwise direction and I would have to agree with that. A note to future hikers that the counter clockwise trail begins right behind the wooden sign at the northend of the parking lot. You will see two signs one for Rainy Lake Trail and one for Heather-Maple Pass Loop Trail. You can also hike this trail clockwise by heading down the Rainy Lake Trail for about 1/4 mile and then you will see a hike going up hill. This is the start of the clockwise trail to Maple Pass. You can walk the blacktop wheelchair accessible trail out to Rainy Lake which is a beautiful lake to checkout. I have taken my wife out to Rainy Lake since she can no longer hike and needs a wheelchair if she has to travel very far. If you choose to hike to Rainy Lake just a reminder that you will have to return on the same trail to go up hill to Maple Pass. I got to the trailhead at 7:30am with total cloud cover which worried me at first. I saw a good bit of sun on the way up Highway 20 from Burlington and Interstate 5 so I waited about 1/2 hour and saw no improvement. After seeing several hikers heading out right away after getting to the trailhead I said the heck with it and decided to start climbing and boy was I glad I did. The sun started breaking through as I crossed over several boulder fields along side of Ann Lake. I stopped to take my first video of Ann Lake and was passed by several hikers who got a rude awakening as a black bear crossed the trail and headed downhill to the lake. It would seem that it was more spooked then the hikers though. This trail starts out for the first mile in the trees until you get to some boulder fields where the trees become more sparse and you get your first view of Ann Lake down below. Once you make it to Heather Pass you can take a boot trail out to Lewis Lake but if you hike on uphill you can get some pictures of the lake by walking out a couple of side trails to get a good view down on the lake without having to hike the hour or so it takes to get out there and back to the main trail. You can camp on the meadow which is at the start of the boot trail out to Lewis Lake. Just a reminder that there is no camping within 1/4 mile of any lake or pass. Just up above Heather Pass you will see the sign stating that you are now entering into North Cascades National Park (North Unit) and no hunting allowed. Be aware that bear hunting season runs August to December so please wear bright clothes and make noise. We have had several hikers killed in Washington State by hunters who seem to want to shoot before they know what it is they are shooting at. Wearing bright orange is your best defense. I spent about two hours at Maple Pass talking to several groups of hikers and taking pictures of them. A special hello to the couple from Pennsylvania who have spent the last nine days hiking in the Olympics and North Cascades. Glad you enjoyed yourself. I have a great picture of the two of you if you would like me to send it. Just drop me a comment on the trail report. Hope you come visit Washington State again and hike in the most spectacular place in the lower 48 states. I finally headed downhill on the east side which is said by many to not be that interesting but I disagree. I found great views of Ann Lake and meadows full of flowers as well as some views of Rainy Lake and several waterfalls. It definitely is out in the sun for a big section of the east side so if its hot out the day you hike have plenty of water since it is limited on this side as well as a hat and sun screen. I did not have any problems with bugs. This year has been great I have not had many problems with bugs on any of my 34 hikes. The last mile of this hike on the east side is also in the trees and you finally connect with The Rainly Lake Trail. Remember to turn left for the parking lot at this intersection if hiking in the counterclock wise direction or right if you want to go visit Rainy Lake which is not more than a half of a mile from here. Checkout the videos of this hike or over 215 other videos of hikes I have done in Washington State on my youtube channel at "lmm3181" or click on these direct links. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVw1CtXerz8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1ybudFxzeI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHp_xxjFPNo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBbM4q0tLtQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pI0sQZf3rw As always get out and see this beautiful state and enjoy your hiking! Take Care Mike