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Maple Pass #740 — Jul. 31, 1999

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
Mike Torok
 
The first hundred feet of the trail is muddy then it dries out. Just two logs across the trail and 2 to pass under standing in the first half mile. The trail has some snow patches around the Lake Ann junction, which are easily traveled. At 2.2 miles (Heather Pass, ~6000'), the trail becomes snow-covered and is difficult to follow. May be another 3+ weeks before the Maple Pass loop is snowfree to hike.

Maple Pass — Aug. 30, 1997

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
 
We just tried the Maple Pass Loop trail for the first time. This is a splendid little trip. It provides nice views of Corteo, Glacier Peak, etc. for a modest amount of effort--around 2000 ft. of gain on a nice trail. Doing the loop counterclockwise is probably more pleasant. Doing it that way, the climb is done on an easy grade and the return is a beautiful ridge walk followed by a long set of reasonably steep switchbacks. The trail was in excellent condition, and the bugs weren't as bad as they've been most places we've been this summer. Take a tasty lunch--you'll want to spend a lot of time gawking from Maple Pass....