Hiking Cutthroat Pass in the North Cascades
Contents
Cutthroat Pass Hike Information
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 15.80Km (9.80 Miles)
Elevation Gain: 612m (2,008 Ft.)
Highest Elevation: 2,085m (6,841 Ft.)
Average Gradient: 7.75%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Moderate / High
Time Needed:
– Slow: 5 – 6 Hours
– Moderate: 4 – 5 Hours
– Fast: 3 – 4 Hours
Dogs Permitted?: Yes
Season: ~July to October
4×4 / High Clearance Required? No
Scrambling / Exposure: None
Cutthroat Pass Trail
Trailhead Coordinates: 48°31’05.7″N 120°43’58.2″W
Cutthroat Pass Overview
Cutthroat Pass in the North Cascades is one of several popular hikes around the Rainy Pass area in Washington, particularly during the fall when the plethora of larches along the trail turn golden. While a popular hike by typical standards, compared to the nearby Maple Pass, this is a far less trafficked trail, making for a good option for those wanting to avoid the crowds that tend to flock to the other side of Highway 20.
There are two standard approaches to Cutthroat Pass, one that follows the Pacific Crest Trail leading from the southwest (which will be described here), and another that approaches from the west via the Cutthroat Creek trail. Some parties will opt to hike one route up and the other down, though this of course requires two vehicles as you will start and end at different trailheads.
If you time it for the fall, not only will you see the larches turning golden, there’s a very good chance you will see some PCT thru hikers as they approach the final few hundred kilometers of their 4,000+ kilometer, five month expedition. Be sure to give them some encouraging words if you do pass by any.
Cutthroat Pass is a very scenic spot, with panoramic views from the top of numerous dramatic peaks, such as Cutthroat Peak, Porcupine Peak, Tower Mountain, Black Peak, Golden Horn, Hinkhouse Peak and plenty more.
Accessing the trailhead is straightforward, just make sure you are parking on the correct side of the highway. The west side of the highway is the trailhead for Maple Pass and is usually overflowing with vehicles. The east side of the highway is the trailhead for Cutthroat Pass, and the parking lot is usually less busy.
In terms of seasonality, Cutthroat Pass is typically a summer hike given Highway 20 is closed between late November and early May. Even then, snow will remain at these elevations 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 Cutthroat Pass worthwhile?
Cutthroat Pass offers rewarding views for relatively modest effort thanks to its well groomed trail and benign gradient throughout. The only drawback is that this is a bit of a long winded trail that requires quite a lot of time in the forest before the views start to open up. It also doesn’t summit any peak, and sort of just ends once you reach the pass. Some people opt to continue hiking along the PCT for a bit to spend more time with the views. Unfortunately, there aren’t any particularly easy official peaks to ascend from Cutthroat Pass, however if you don’t mind some off trail hiking, the nearby “Peak 7,552” was a very worthwhile extension that was mostly just steep hiking and a short scramble at the end.
How difficult is the hike to Cutthroat Pass?
With an average gradient of well below 10%, Cutthroat Pass is a simple hike that is never particularly steep and is suitable for most parties. The entire hike follows a very well groomed trail throughout.
Technically speaking there is nothing particularly challenging about this trail, it’s a manicured path the whole way to the top.
Cutthroat Pass Route Information
The trailhead for Cutthroat Pass is from Rainy Pass along Highway 20. You’ll want to make sure you take the spur road on the east side of the highway once you reach the pass, which will lead to the parking lot. Do not park on the west side of the highway as that is where the Maple Pass hikers will be flocking to. You will need a Northwest Forest Pass to park at the Cutthroat Pass trailhead.
From the trailhead you’ll join an obvious trail leading into the forest, after which there are no junctions to be concerned about as there is one trail the entire way to the pass. The first 1.6km (1 mile) of the hike will climb modestly in the forest, crossing over a couple of creeks as you make steady progress.
The next kilometer (0.6 miles) will be completely flat forest travel, before crossing over the much larger (though still easy to cross) Porcupine Creek. Immediately after this creek crossing you will begin a steady, yet moderate climb that persists the whole way to the pass.
This climb remains west of Porcupine Creek as you gradually gain elevation, and while you do the views east of Cutthroat Peak improve steadily. At around 1,870m (6,135 Ft.) elevation you’ll pass by a couple of campsites near the creek shortly before you begin a series of switchbacks towards the pass.
At this point the views really begin to break out, and the larches that many people are here for start to show up. This is where the tedious forest slog starts to pay dividends, as with each switchback you take, the views continue to improve. Much of the trail is now bathed in heather as well, which offer a variety of colours no matter the season, but especially in the fall.
From the campsites to the pass you’ll climb another 200m (656 Ft.) or so, at which point the views will now be panoramic, with larches in every direction. Most people will simply stop at the pass before returning, however some parties will continue along the PCT to soak in the alpine views a little longer. Others might descend via the Cutthroat Creek trail if they have a 2nd car available.
As noted, adventurous parties looking to climb a peak may want to consider the nearby “Peak 7,552”. While not an official peak, climbing this point offers breathtaking 360 degree views that far surpass those of the pass given it’s another 200m (656 Ft.) higher than the pass itself. I will include a link here for those wanting to do this, just note it does require off trail hiking and a short scramble at the end to reach the top. Adding this peak will not take long, perhaps another hour or so to your day.
Otherwise, if you are simply returning to the trailhead, Cutthroat Pass is your end point, and the hike back out is a bit of a slog given its mostly spent in the forest.
When should I hike Cutthroat Pass?
July to October is the peak season for Cutthroat Pass, and if you want to see those golden larches you’re best off waiting until early October. Come November the snow will have returned to these elevations.
Top Tip
If you are hoping to bump into PCT thru hikers you will want to time this hike for late summer/early fall.
If you are hoping to see golden larches you will want to time this hike for the first 2 weeks of October, typically.
