Heather-Maple Pass Loop
Winthrop, Washington
Details
Distance
7.5 miles
Elevation Gain
2185 ft
Route Type
Loop
Description
Added by Mikaela Tangeman
Heather-Maple Pass Loop is a loop trail offering stunning views of the North Cascades in Washington. If you love wildflowers, Maple Pass's annual flower show is UNREAL!
Note to any hikers taking on this trail, this is a non-repeating trail meaning it goes in a big loop. The trailhead has 2 trail points of entrance. To the right (the pathway that is not paved) is the counter-clockwise route, a little less steep and more scenic at the start. To the left, the trail takes a steep start all the way to the ridge line. Both starts are beautiful, just depends on your skill level. I will describe the counter-clockwise route which you take the path directly behind fee/ sign-in station. There is a laminated sign on a tree that says Lake Ann/ Maple Pass.
In roughly 1.25 miles after starting there is a trail that branches left to take you to Lake Ann (really beautiful). The trail is 0.6 miles round trip and really stunning (so kind of a no-brainer) and you can also see to where you are heading.
0.75 miles past the Lake Ann detour is when you'll reach Heathers Pass, where you can see Lewis Lake, Wing Lake and Black Peak. Getting back on trail, it goes left on the ridge line and up to Maple Pass (which you will see NCNP signs).
Take in this amazing view at 6,650ft with the Corteo, Frisco, Goode, Stiletto, Black Peak mountains in the background...with the Liberty Bell group even further out. Time for a snack/ lunch or at least more water. Rest and then...
Going back down via the switch-backs is not too bad and first, but the final 2.5 miles is tougher, dropping about 1700ft. in that time. Once you reached the paved road it's only 1 mile back to your car.
Also, if you take highway 20 west after the hike, the Cascade Farm Organic ice cream shack makes the very best chocolate shakes.
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Heather-Maple Pass Loop Reviews
You'll love this hike. I took the clockwise route, the obviously less popular of the two, and loved it! I found it to be more interesting; you never see the pass until you are right on top of it with the trail winding from one ridge to the next, and the spectacular views evolve the whole way. This means on your way down, you have a more gradual descent as you work your way around Lake Ann. Also, go in the fall for some larch sightings!
5.0
I was pleasantly surprised by this hike and after they hiking the Enchantments two days before, I didn't think anything could top those mountains. Sadly, due to the large amount of snowpacks my group was unable to hike past Maple Pass on the counter-clockwise route because it was late in the evening and we didn't want to get lost trying to find footprints in the snow. The views are incredible by Heather Pass!!!Don't miss this hike!
5.0
It's hard to believe that you can get such incredible views on an 8-mile day hike! I would also suggest the counter-clockwise route; the views on the way up are a nice distraction from the elevation gain. A quick note about the Lake Ann detour - this is not a "sit by the lake and enjoy a snack" kind of experience. It was more like, "let me take a few pictures and escape these bugs." Not saying you shouldn't go - just have the right expectations. Also, once you reach the paved trail, you have less than a half mile to go (not a mile).
5.0
My fiance and I did our engagement pictures along this hike. Our photographer has been all over the world and called these views the most beautiful he's seen in all the world. A fairly easy climb, it's absolutely stunning.
5.0
If you like to ski or snowboard, this is a fun loop to do when the highway opens after winter. The loop has a nice bowl around Lake Ann with lots of available steep runs. Make sure to know how to navigate in this type of terrain due to being avalanche prone and quite a ways away from civilization.
5.0
I love this hike! Great description and photos!
5.0
Leave No Trace
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Nearby
Summit Black Peak
Hike Cutthroat Pass from Rainy Pass Trailhead
Snowshoe Heather Maple Loop Pass
Camp at Snowy Lakes
Backpack at Wing Lake (North Cascades)
Backcountry Ski or Snowboard at Ann Lake
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