Fall at its finest, the Maple Pass Trail walks amongst color-changing larches, crystal blue alpine lakes tucked in between mountains, and sweeping panoramic views of the mighty North Cascades. One of the Seattle area’s best overall hikes.
The Maple Pass Trail loop in the North Cascades is one of the most beautiful hikes in Washington. Due to elevation and distance, this hike is considered moderate. Weather can create tricky and slippery situations, where peak weather might differ further down in the canyon. can join this hike. This hike took us about 3 hours with many stops to snack, hydrate, and soak in the ever-changing views.
Details:
Directions (Google Maps): To get to the Maple Pass Traill, search for the Maple Pass Trailhead near Marblemount, WA or click here.
Directions (old school maps): From Seattle, it depends on road closures. You can go north on Highway 5 and then take Highway 20 east the entire way. Or go south on Highway 5 and take a series of Highways (90, 970, 97, 2, 153) until you connect to Highway 20 and eventually hit the trailhead.
Driving Info: You’ll lose cell service on a big chunk of this drive. Expect to park along the road, even if you woke up at 5am to beat traffic at the trails. The parking lot is decent size but the extreme popularity of this hike means there’s rarely any open spots.
Time & Weather: We hiked this in early October, and we arrived at the trailhead by 8am. It was chilly in the beginning but an almost immediate incline gets you warm quick. But as you continue to ascend and hike atop ridge lines you’ll get cold gusts of air and the constant threat of changing weather, so always check the latest weather reports.
Gear: We wore 2-3 layers for warmth and wind/rain protection, especially when starting early. Poles are critical, as the descent is often wet or slippery throughout the sharp decline down.
Trail Navigation: The trail is easy to follow the entire way, especially due to the popularity of this hike.
Water & Food: We drank a couple liters each along with some snacks. There is no water along the trail, although technically you could treat water from the cascading streams.
Trailhead Info: There is a decent sized parking lot at the trailhead of this extremely popular hike. Expect to park along the road, possibly up to a mile away (no, seriously). There are bathrooms available at the trailhead.
Pictures of the Maple Pass Trail hike:
Like many Cascade hikes, it starts in the crisp air of the spruce and fir trees. If you’re lucky enough to hike in the fall, the greens will fade to vibrant yellows, oranges and reds as you ascend.
It’s worth the small detour to Lake Ann, this serene and picturesque fantasyland.
Ascend above Lake Ann to truly put it into perspective. The island, for instance, is much tougher to gauge at lake level.
Colorful ridge line paths cut across the mountainside forests. Here is where it starts to transition in color and density.
As you crest of the first part of the mountain, gaze out to the majestic North Cascades. We had a bit of fog on our hike day, but it only added to the mystique of the view. Note the yellow larches littering the mountainside. A week earlier and we would’ve seen a completely full array or reds, oranges, yellows and greens.
The view of Lake Ann continues to change as you traverse around the rim.
Again, changing views of Lake Ann, coupled with the bright colors of these hillside meadows. This view is looking back along the route we came (on the left of Lake Ann), and we’ll descend down the right side.
The most complete view of Lake Ann from this peak. You can really see the array of colors strewn about the interior of this mountainside.
With Lake Ann to the left (not visible in the photo), you’ll encounter another small lake as well as a pool of snow. Summer time will look completely different but this is during the peak of fall.
A closer look at the small lake we have been approaching. It’s almost dangerous at this part of the trail, because there are steep switchbacks but your eyes keep getting distracted by the rich blue color of this gorgeous alpine lake.
The remainder of the trail makes its sharp decline back towards the parking lot and Highway 20.
Looking for another great hike in the Cascades? A few hours from here is the wonderful town of Leavenworth and a trailhead called Icicle Ridge Trail.
