Heather-Maple Pass
North Cascades National Park
For a day hike, this one delivers all you could ask for...forest, talus field, a meadow, 2 lakes, 2 passes, and a long ridgeline walk at 6,600 feet. The real win on this hike was the depth of the 360 degree mountain views from the ridgeline walk. In just three hours you can drive from Seattle to the North Cascades National Park, which runs across the central/northern part of Washington and very near the Canadian border.
Heather and Maple Pass is accessed via a loop hike off Highway 20 in the North Cascades National Park. Starting at the Rainy Pass trailhead, where the Pacific Crest Trail cross over Highway 20, the trail runs above Lake Ann, through Heather Pass, Maple Pass, and then back down by Rainy Lake and returning to trailhead once again. For extra miles, you can take side trails down to visit the rocky shoreline at both Lake Ann and Rainy Lake. For another extension (and my recommendation instead), get off the beaten trail and explore a lesser known boot path that leads out from Heather Pass. However you choose to make the loop, the diversity of the hike will keep you entertained and the views will leave you wanting more!
Heather and Maple Pass is accessed via a loop hike off Highway 20 in the North Cascades National Park. Starting at the Rainy Pass trailhead, where the Pacific Crest Trail cross over Highway 20, the trail runs above Lake Ann, through Heather Pass, Maple Pass, and then back down by Rainy Lake and returning to trailhead once again. For extra miles, you can take side trails down to visit the rocky shoreline at both Lake Ann and Rainy Lake. For another extension (and my recommendation instead), get off the beaten trail and explore a lesser known boot path that leads out from Heather Pass. However you choose to make the loop, the diversity of the hike will keep you entertained and the views will leave you wanting more!
I hiked the loop counter-clockwise, starting with a gradual climb up through forest before emerging out on to a ridge above Lake Ann. It is here you'll get your first look at the lake and a preview of the 360 degree views to come. Continuing on the path higher up and around the lake, you will next reach Heather Pass. If you are up for a bonus adventure and comfortable with a bit of off trail navigation (some cairns) + talus field hopping, consider taking the boot path from Heather Pass out to Lewis Lake, Wing Lake, and Black Peak. I ventured in this direction for about a mile across a meadow and dropping down into a talus field. Being a bit pressed on time for the day I turned back before making it to Lewis Lake. Something I'd like to come back to finish next summer!
Once returning to the Maple-Pass Loop trail, I then ascended the main ridgeline gaining the remaining elevation up to 6,600 feet. Take your time to enjoy the ridge walk entirely around the lake and soak in the sweeping 360 degree views!
Once reaching the far side of the ridge, the trail begins to descend a series of steep switchbacks. Rainy Lake comes into view and the jaw dropping scenery continues all the way until your back below the tree line again. Just as it started, a forested path delivers you back to the trailhead to finish the loop.