I hiked the Lake Ann Maple Pass Loop om Wednesday, Aug. 3rd. The wildflowers are almost at peak.
As always, a fantastic trip!
Tag Archives: maple pass
Lake Ann – Maple Pass Loop
On July 1 I hiked the Lake Ann – Maple Pass Loop. Usually this trail does not open (due to snow) until late July or even August. But the trail was completely snow free from top to bottom.
I started late to get the evening light. Here are a few images. Oh, and there were a few wildflowers.
If you’d like to go on a North Cascades Photo Tour and get shots like this, here is the place to find out more and sign up!
Lake Ann from Maple Pass
Lake Ann from Maple Pass
Maple Pass Trail
Maple Pass Trail
North Cascades Hike: Lake Ann – Maple Pass Loop
Lake Ann
The feeling of exhilaration from being in the mountains is unsurpassed. Sweat and strain, fresh air and a cool breeze, a lake reflected and gathering clouds: these are all part of what makes the trip Great.
The Maple Pass Loop trail starts at Rainy Pass, on the North Cascades Highway. Ascending through the brush and out into the sun a first view whets your desire for more.
Swinging around the head of a small basin you soon plunge back into the cool forest.
Now the climbing becomes more insistent. The trail angles up along the side of a ridge and switchbacks heavenward. Lake Ann beckons below, her silvery waters calling.
Heather Pass appears and you keep climbing, but now the wonder of the view cancels any thought of your body.
You are in the mountains!
The clouds invade the valley as you view the world from above. Its time to start heading down.
Clouds
Bright colors, my favorite thing!
Flowers
Its difficult to keep walking…despite the threatening skies, I just want to sit amid the flowers.
Darkening clouds
I see the skies opening in the near distance…
Meadows
The thunder and lightening are not far off now.
This summer I am offering photo tours of the Maple Pass Loop.
And if you’d like a bold, bright canvas print of any of these images, here is where to go.
Stormy Skies along the Lake Ann – Maple Pass trail, North Cascades
Stormy Skies along the Lake Ann – Maple Pass trail, North Cascades
Maple Pass – Lake Ann Loop, North Cascades
The weather forecast called for a 40% chance of thunder showers, a perfect afternoon to head up into the North Cascades.
Lake Ann, from the Maple Pass Trail.
Lake Ann framed in Fireweed
The 7-mile loop trail is perfect. The parking area is right off of the highway, at Rainy Pass which is about 4,800 ft elevation. The trail switchbacks up through thick forest, swings along side an open curved slope and climbs to the junction with a spur trail to Lake Ann. Continuing up, you break out of the trees as the path angles up, above the lake, on its way to Heather Pass. There are camping spots here, and often water. Every step from here is better than the last, the views open up: Cutthroat Peak is right across the highway, Black Peak and the spikes of Early Winter Spires and countless other peaks all adorn the horizon.
Maple Pass Trail: Switchbacks headed down
Meadows of Green and Storm Clouds
Once you reach Maple Pass you can see south, into the Glacier Peak Wilderness and beyond. Soon the trail reaches its highest point and you can see the switchbacks steeply plunging down, down to the shores of Rainy Lake.
Wildflowers along the Maple Pass Trail
Storm Clouds along Maple Pass Trail
If you start later in the day (hit the trail at 2pm or so) you’ll get some wonderful light. Just remember to bring head lamps and flashlights for the hike down in the dark!
Stormy Skies at Maple Pass
There many trails starting along the North Cascades Highway. The Pacific Crest Trail crosses at Bridge Creek, heading south. At Rainy Pass, on the north side, the PCT heads up to Cutthroat Pass. On the south side of the highway is the famous Maple Pass – Lake Ann Loop.
The trail is about 7 miles long, climbing from the road past a spur trail to Lake Ann and then heading up to Heather Pass. The views of Lake Ann along the way are super. The trail continues past Heather Pass up to a border with the North Cascades National Park and then turns, ascends a short distance to Maple Pass and the plunges down switch backs back to the parking area.
This August I wanted to go hike but the weather report called for storms in the mountains, however down in the valley, where I live the sky was blue, so I headed up and well…these images show the rest!
North Western Images - photos by Andy Porter 