Heather - Maple Pass Loop — Thursday, Oct. 5, 2006

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20

This is a description of a feasible Last Chance Pass hiker route. Follow established trail to Maple Pass. Drop W into Maple Creek Basin. Make sure to visit Horsefly Pass if you have time. Continue down basin to around 5200' where many rivulets make one stream. This is first water in late season. Good camping. From confluence, begin a gradually ascending traverse SW around flank of Corteo on intermittent game trails and the lowest rock buttresses. In general, if it gets brushy, climb; if it gets steep, descend. Continue SW then W. At two points, traverse just above highest slide alder in open forest and meadow. Continue ascending traverse W across open meadows to prominent game trail. Ascend to unnamed tarn, very scenic in open larch forest. Easy going to Last Chance Pass and stupendous views.