Heather - Maple Pass Loop — Tuesday, Sep. 25, 2012

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20

Breathtakingly beautiful! This is my favorite hike and obviously the favorite of many others, too. The trailhead is well signed with ample parking and a clean outhouse. This is a loop, but I prefer to take it counter clockwise. This way is easier on the ascent and also allows the trail to reveal its beauties one at a time. The trail is in fine shape all around the loop, but the descent down the east part of the loop is choking in dust right now. The trail sashays up gentle switchbacks and around a bowl before stretching out for a long haul along a steep slope overlooking Lake Ann. A couple of switchbacks later it arrives at Heather Pass. This meadow is so enchanting that it strongly tempts one to stay here or explore further, perhaps even to mint-green Lewis Lake. Continuing on to Maple Pass is slow going because with every step the views dazzle and delight. The North Cascades are a stunning wonder and in full display here. The pass itself is a large, broad Alpine area with plenty of places to linger, enjoy lunch, or thrill to the views north or south. From here you can see Glacier Peak, many glaciers and other mountains, and slopes ablaze with red ground cover. More hefty altitude gain brings you to the high point of the pass, approximately 6800 feet and even more temptation to stay for hours. The way down is steep but offers even more scenic vistas and lots of larches. The latter are not all quite fully golden yet, but close. The trail threads the narrow ridgeline precipitously at times all the while delivering a feast for the eyes. At one point it is possible to look down into Lake Ann and Rainy Lake at the same time! That's a narrow ridge! The way down from here is a knee killing series of steep switchbacks before the trail finally joins the handicapped accessible paved tread that goes to Rainy Lake. Taking this west completes the loop back to the parking lot.