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

First time on this trail. We hiked it counter clockwise. Wildflowers were glorious. Trail conditions were good. It was clear and sunny so views were fantastic. Based on previous weeks report we came armed with bug spray but bugs were not a problem. We got out on the trail at 9:15. Parking lot was about 1/3 full. Back at the car at 1:15 and lot was overflowing. Water at the parking lot was not working.

Maple Pass is such a different hike right now, than in the fall when the larch are peaking. I loved seeing all the green in the meadows and forest, and the lupine that spread down the steep slopes. I was on this hike today to participate in the Cascades Butterfly Project. Maple Pass is one of the study areas that the Cascades Butterfly Project is utilizing with citizen-scientists to monitor the effects of climate change on butterflies throughout the Cascades. Transects have been established on the trail and they are surveyed on a weekly basis through mid September. In the North Cascades the study areas include Maple Pass, Cascade Pass, Sauk Mtn. and Skyline Divide. In Mount Rainier they are surveying Naches Peak, Berkeley Park, Paradise and Spray Park. If you are interested in volunteeing for this project, email Jeff Anderson at jeff_anderson@cascades.org Whether you have interest in the butterfly project or not, the Maple Pass hike is fabulous right now.

Arrived at the trail head at 8:30 with half of the parking lot already full of cars. At this trail you do have the option of paying five dollars or using your Northwest Pass. I went the counter clock wise trail up to Maple Pass with no issues in regards to mud, snow, or trail blocking. Passed five groups on the way up, arriving Maple Pass around 10:30ish and sat for some fruit. The bugs were really active as you get above the tree line, I would recommend bringing some bus spray. The hike up to Maple Pass was a challenge in regards to the sun, start this hike early!! On the way down passed two groups and the parking lot was full when I arrived back at the trailhead a little past noon. I did not need poles for this hike, however there were others who were using them.

Beautiful hike, go at sunset for great views and far fewer people. I sat on Maple Pass from 5:30-6:30 (too early for true sunset) but no other folks on the pass in the whole hour.