Hiking Maple Pass Loop in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Contents
Maple Pass Loop Hike Information
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 10.50Km (6.50 Miles)
Elevation Gain: 660m (2,165 Ft.)
Highest Elevation: 2,125m (6,972 Ft.)
Average Gradient: 12.57%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Moderate / Very High
Time Needed:
– Slow: 4 – 5 Hours
– Moderate: 3 – 4 Hours
– Fast: 2.5 – 3 Hours
Dogs Permitted?: Yes
Season: ~July to October
4×4 / High Clearance Required? No
Scrambling / Exposure: None
Maple Pass Loop Trail
Trailhead Coordinates: 48°30’54.5″N 120°44’09.0″W
Maple Pass Loop Overview
Maple Pass in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest is one of the most popular hikes in all of Washington. This looped hike offers constantly jaw dropping views, pristine lakes, glorious wildflowers, endless mountain vistas and an engaging (yet straightforward) trail throughout, all packed into just 10.50km (6.50 Miles). While busy throughout the summer, Maple Pass explodes in popularity during the fall, when much of the heather and foliage turns autumnal reds/oranges and the larches become a glistening gold.
It’s very easy to see why Maple Pass is so popular. It’s easily accessed (right off highway 20), it’s suitable for all abilities, it’s a loop (who doesn’t love loops?), it meanders along a ridge with constantly varied and rewarding views, and frankly it’s easily one of the highest bang for your buck hikes in the state. The only real drawback is just how busy it is. On a sunny summer weekend, especially if you go during the fall, the parking lot will be full and cars will be parked along both sides of the highway for hundreds of meters in every direction. If you want to get away from the crowds, well, this isn’t the place to be. Going midweek will certainly help, but even then it’s likely still got quite a few people around.
Hikers have the option of doing the loop in either direction. Going counter-clockwise will allow a gentler climb to the top, while going clockwise will be steeper. If you prefer to get the climb out of the way as fast as possible you will want to go clockwise.
Accessing the trailhead is straightforward, you can either park in the parking lot at the Rainy Pass trailhead, or if it’s full (often the case), you can just park on the side of the highway, there is plenty of space. Note that to park in the parking lot you will need to pay for the National Forest Day Pass, however on the highway you don’t.
In terms of seasonality, Maple Pass is typically a summer hike given Highway 20 is closed between late November and early May. Even then, snow will remain at this elevation well into June and even July, so the peak season is typically July to October. If you are coming for the fall colors and golden larches, this usually peaks in the first two weeks of October.
Dogs are allowed on this hike given it does not enter the North Cascades National Park.
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Is the Maple Pass Loop worthwhile?
Maple Pass is one of the crown jewels of Washington and should be high on any outdoor enthusiasts to-do list. Many people return to Maple Pass year after year, and it’s easy to see why. The only drawback for this hike is just how busy it is, which might put some parties off. If you are only able to go on a weekend you can be sure to be knocking elbows with others along the route. Still, that’s to be expected for a hike of this quality.
How difficult is the Maple Pass Loop hike?
At just 10.5km (6.5 Miles) and 660m (2,165 Ft.) elevation gain, this is a moderately difficult hike that most parties should be capable of. Fit/experienced groups will find it easy, while lesser experienced people may find it challenging. It might be a bit easier to complete counter-clockwise thanks to the more mellow climb, however this also means a steep descent down the other side. Of course, you don’t have to do the loop, and you could alternatively just go up and down the less steep approach each way.
Technically speaking this hike doesn’t have any particular challenges. The entire route is an obvious trail with plenty of signage at key junctions.
Maple Pass Loop Route Information
The trailhead for the Maple Pass loop is from Rainy Pass. This parking lot isn’t the biggest and it fills up early, but thankfully parking on the side of the highway is a breeze. All vehicles can make it, naturally.
The trail begins right at the obvious information signage in the parking lot. If you are going counter-clockwise, head right, if going clockwise, head left. I’ll assume you’re going counter-clockwise as I did.
The initial few kilometers of the hike are nothing to write home about (in either direction), as you work your way through the forest gaining elevation at a modest gradient. After just under 2km (1.25 Miles) you’ll reach your first junction, whereby you can take a detour to reach the shores of Lake Ann. This will add on around 1.5km (1 mile) round trip of mostly flat hiking, and while the view from the lake is quite nice, the shore itself isn’t easily accessed.
Back on the main trail you’ll continue to climb gradually up towards Heather Pass. The views start to open up a bit as you gain elevation, with Lake Ann down below the northern slopes of Frisco Mountain. After a total of around 3.5km (2 miles) you’ll reach Heather Pass, with the views now pretty open.
There is a junction here whereby some parties will follow the trail to Wing Lake and potentially Black Peak, and some peakbaggers might go off-trail and ascend the nearby Crooked Bum (a worthy addition for adventurous folk).
Ignoring this junction, you’ll continue to climb as the trail turns to traverse across the western slopes of Lake Ann, much of which are filled with wildflowers. This portion offers absolutely breathtaking views in the fall, with the slopes adorned with autumnal colours, and it’s even better if the larches in the basin have turned golden.
The views will only continue to get better as you keep meandering along the trail, twisting and turning as you go. Corteo and Black Peak will soon dominate the skyline to the west, as Frisco mountain takes centre stage to the south. There is heather galore in this section, do your best not to go off trail and step on any as it can take decades to grow and minutes to damage.
The trail continues winding its way up to Maple Pass at a consistently modest gradient, with Crooked Bum, Cutthroat Peak and Whistler Mountain gradually coming to the fore. In short order you will reach the pass, where the views now become panoramic and jaw dropping. There’s plenty of space to relax at the pass, you can even follow some of the ridge towards Frisco Mountain should you wish to do so. This would be a fantastic vantage for either sunrise or sunset.
Once you’ve finished at the pass, the remainder of the hike is all downhill. You’ll follow a few switchbacks as you descend steeply, with stunning views to the east now. The next kilometer or so will offer even more breathtaking vistas as you work your way back to the treeline. Once there, there’s not much else to do but plant one foot in front of the other until you return to the Rainy Lake trail. It’ll be a fairly steep and not particularly exciting descent down, but thankfully short lived. Once you reach the Rainy Lake trail, follow it along to the trailhead (you could also add on Rainy Lake if you want).
When should I hike the Maple Pass Loop?
July to October is the peak season for Maple Pass, and if you want to see those fall colours you’re best off waiting until early October. Come November the snow will have returned to these elevations.
Top Tip
If you want to avoid crowds, go midweek. Weekends, especially in the fall, are incredibly busy.
Most of the hike is east facing, so if you want sunlight to be hitting the colourful flowers, morning is the best time. In the afternoon (especially in the fall), the sun will be behind the ridge and most of the hike will be in the shade.
An alternative hike that is generally quieter will be Cutthroat Pass on the other side of the highway. Some people prefer this over Maple Pass, but personally I found Maple Pass to be considerably nicer.
