Washington Pass Overlook, Blue Lake & Heather - Maple Pass Loop — Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024

Heather/Maple Pass and Blue Lake were an absolute mess today. No doubt they were absolutely gorgeous but likely you’ld be looking over someone’s shoulder to see that golden larch.

Both hikes had full parking lots and cars stretching upwards of a mile along side highway twenty. There are quite literally 400 cars along the road. Walking along this 60mph roadway is dangerous, so please be careful. Three people were hospitalized last week at HMP trailhead when someone made a u-turn in the road and was struck broadside.

Washington Pass overlook had one dozen cars in the lot, fantastic views, and no crowds.

Please consider the dozens of other larch hikes throughout the Cascades. Trees are just starting to peak at higher elevations. Twisp, Wa is a great town to base out of with easy proximity to many larch hikes.

Pro-Tip: the traffic going back to the west side on hwy 20 is likely to be terrible. Try stopping in Darrington, they have a family friendly brewpub with great pizzas.