Beautiful awesome hike. I decided to do the loop counterclockwise, during the first leg you look over lake Ann and keep climbing up to a spectacular view. While up at the pass, it's a good idea to have lunch, relax, and enjoy the 360 degree view. On the way down you pass through a beautiful flower field (take it slow here) and an occasional marmot. Towards the end it is a bit knee jerking but it is over quickly enough. The trip out there from Seattle is a bit long and I would suggest taking SR-530 to 20, it seems shorter and 530 is just a beautiful route. Make sure you have a full tank of gas before entering the pass.

It was a beautiful afternoon. The sun was shining but it was comfortable. The trail is in great condition with beautiful views everywhere. From the top, the panaromic view was amazing. The trip down was also quite wonderful. This is one of the most scenic hikes in the North Cascades.

WOW! You can't dream up a scene this beautiful. I expected a lot from the hike to begin with, but I had no idea how grand it would be up there. The geology of the area is fascinating, and the views out to the dome/glacier peak area are grand. I can't rate this highly enough. Best of all; via the Lake Ann approach to the pass, it's snowfree until you get within 1/4 mile of the pass. The snow is easily negotiable from there up to the pass as well. At the pass snow is spoty, but gets continuous as you work your way up twords heather pass. Good boots would be nice in the snow, but sneakers shouldn't be a problem in a week or so.

Hiked the Heather Pass-Maple Pass loop trail. Walked from Rainy Pass parking area past Lake Ann to Heather Pass snow-free. Large patches of snow from Heather Pass to Maple Pass and all along the ridge. Many people were doing this hike, however, and no one seemed to have problems hiking on the snow. Under the sun it was soft and easily negotiated. And it was melting fast! Very nice views, few bugs. Steep walk down from the ridge back to Rainy Pass. A sign at the parking lot recommended walking in the direction I did; but with my creaky knees I would have preferred walking up the steep part and down the easier grade, in the opposite direction. Last time I was here was 1989, and there was no loop then--just a one-way trail to Maple Pass. Progress!

The Punmeister and I took off for a larch-filled weekend, starting with Maple Pass. Leaving Kirkland about 7:20 a.m. we started on the trail at 10:50 a.m. The temperature was cool to start with, but soon warmed up. The larch is turning from yellow to orange, so is a bit past prime. Last year ""Prime""was October 10. The trail is in good condition, with some mud above Heather Pass to the top of Maple Pass, with just traces of snow in tiny pockets. Do the loop if you can.