Hiking Heather Maple Pass Loop: Beautiful Trail in North Cascades National Park

North Cascades National Park is one of the most beautiful national parks in Washington, with beautiful hiking trails, bright blue lakes, and snow-capped mountains. It is one of my favorite national parks! One of the best things to do in the park is hike because it allows you to experience its beauty.

Although North Cascades National Park has many miles of trails, Heather Maple Pass Loop is one of the best! Heather Maple Pass Loop is a stunning hike, offering endless views of the surrounding mountains and lakes, and they will take your breath away with their beauty.

If you want to add Heather Maple Pass Loop to your North Cascades National Park itinerary, this guide is the perfect place to start planning! It has everything you need to know about hiking Heather Maple Pass Loop.

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Heather Maple Pass Loop Overview

Heather Maple Pass Loop Length and Difficulty

Heather Maple Pass Loop is about 7.2 miles and gains 2,200 feet of elevation. Because of the length and elevation gain, it is challenging. But the trail is well-maintained, and the views make the effort worth it!

Heather Maple Pass Loop Parking

Heather Maple Pass Loop begins at the Rainy Pass Trailhead off Highway 20. The trailhead also has the start of the hike to Rainy Lake. Because the Rainy Pass Trailhead is home to two popular trails, the parking lot fills up quickly, and I recommend arriving early to secure a spot and enjoy the trail with fewer people.

Also, you will need a National Forest Pass to park at this trailhead. It is $5, and you can pay at the parking lot kiosk. If you have an America the Beautiful Pass, you do not need to pay the fee since that pass covers national forest fees.

Is Heather Maple Pass Loop Dog-friendly?

Because Heather Maple Pass Loop is just outside the North Cascades National Park boundary, dogs are allowed, and they must be on a leash.

Best Time to Hike Heather Maple Pass Loop

Summer and early fall are the best times to hike Heather Maple Pass Loop because the weather and trail conditions are fantastic. But snow can linger on the trail until July, making it crucial to pack the appropriate gear.

What to Pack for the Hike

Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.

Where to Stay Near Heather Maple Pass Loop

North Cascades National Park does not have many hotels near it. The closest town to the national park with the most accommodations, restaurants, and stores is Winthrop.

If you are interested in renting a campervan, I highly recommend renting from Escape Campervans! North Cascades National Park has many campgrounds nearby. If you are not staying in a campground, I recommend adding time to your North Cascades National Park itinerary to accommodate driving time.

Hotels:

Campgrounds:

best towns near north cascades national park

Heather Maple Pass Loop Guide

**Always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in and throw away your trash properly. Also, stay on designated trails. This area has fragile vegetation.

Heather Maple Pass Loop is one of the most beautiful hikes near North Cascades National Park, with stunning mountain views and bright blue lakes. It is one of the most popular trails near the national park, so I recommend arriving early to secure a parking spot and start the hike with fewer people.

Heather Maple Pass Loop begins at the Rainy Lake Trailhead, and you can follow the loop in either direction. We hiked it counterclockwise, and I will give you the details on that route. If you hike it clockwise, the ascent is steep, but the rest of the trail is gradual for the descent. Both ways are beautiful, so it comes down to preference!

Hiking Heather Maple Pass Loop counterclockwise, the trail immediately ascends through a beautiful forest and wildflower meadows. Before the one-mile mark, the trail has a beautiful view over a wildflower meadow with mountain views. It gives you the first glimpse of what is to come!

After another half-mile, the trail intersects with the Lake Ann Trail. If you are up for adding another 1.2 miles to the hike, I recommend hiking to the base of Lake Ann because it is beautiful! If you do not want to, you will have a beautiful view overlooking it at the top of the pass.

Heather Maple Pass Loop continues gradually ascending over the next mile while providing a sneak preview of the views. This hike flies by because the views distract you from the mileage! After about a mile, the trail comes to its first major viewpoint, looking north towards Heather Pass and into the Cascades.

The views for the rest of the trail are absolutely stunning and will take your breath away! The final push to Maple Pass is one of my favorite sections because the 360-degree views are unmatched. The views overlooking Lake Ann towards Cutthroat Peak are stunning, and you can see what feels like for miles looking into North Cascades National Park. The views from Maple Pass are some of the best in the area, in my opinion!

Maple Pass is the highest point on the trail at about 6,900 feet and offers some of the best 360-degree views on the hike. I could not get over how small I felt surrounded by these massive mountains. It is the best feeling! Maple Pass is also a great spot to enjoy a snack before beginning the descent.

The descent on Heather Maple Pass Loop is steep, but the views help distract you from the difficulty. The trail offers more beautiful viewpoints on the way down, which helps to break up the descent. As it begins to head into the forest, it has switchbacks to help with the steep descent.

After about 2.5 miles, Heather Maple Pass intersects with the paved Rainy Lake Trail. You can either continue left on Rainy Lake Trail to the parking lot or turn right to the shores of Rainy Lake. Since the hike to Rainy Lake is easy and only adds 1 mile, it is a great addition! The views from the base of the emerald-colored lake and surrounding mountains are stunning! The paved path eventually returns to the parking lot where you started the hike.

Heather Maple Pass Loop is easily one of the most beautiful trails near North Cascades National Park. Once you hike it, you will quickly realize why it is a favorite hike in the area! And the views will not disappoint.

If you want to add Heather Maple Pass Loop to your North Cascades National Park itinerary, this guide is the perfect place to start planning. It has everything you need to know to hike Heather Maple Pass Loop!