Winthrop, WA: Maple Pass Loop Trail

This moderate dayhike in the North Cascades offers a visual feast of colors and dramatic landscapes. In 6.5 miles, you’ll hike past views of steep granite peaks that jut into the sky, golden larch (in fall), red and purple huckleberry brush backdropped by white and dark granite, and scenic alpine lakes.

Start at the Rainy Pass parking lot, and go counterclockwise on Trail #740 to Lake Ann. The trail climbs through forest to a trail junction near Lake Ann; stay right here, or bear left to visit Lake Ann. Just past this junction, the route travels above treeline for five-star views of Lake Ann and the peaks and ridges that encircle it. Larch lines the opposite walls of the bowl, and there is an abundance of huckleberry brush clinging to the slopes, creating a blast of color during fall. In the distance, you can see the top of Corteo Peak poking above the ridgeline.

Continue the steady climb to another trail junction that leads to Heather Pass. Stay straight on the trail and continue to a viewpoint. Looking back the direction you came, you’ll see Whistler Mountain, Cutthroat Peak, Lewis Lake at the base of Black Peak, and the small meadow on Heather Pass (highlighted by the red and gold of the fall colors).

From here, the trail traverses more high-country meadows that dot the top of the cirque to an unnamed saddle, which overlooks the eastern face of Corteo Peak and distant glacier covered peaks. Continue following the main ridgeline trail (several trails diverge along this stretch).

At mile 3.7, crest a 6,967-foot pass before following the zigzagging trail downhill. (Look to your right for Lyall Glacier, which sits at the foot of Frisco Mountain.) After crossing the grassy ridgeline, the path drops toward treeline and the spine of the ridge narrows considerably, giving you a sense of vertigo. Continue the switchback descent to the final junction at mile 6. Turn left to return to the trailhead.

-Mapped by David Tate

Trail Facts

• Distance: 15.1

Waypoints

MPL001

Location: 48.51511, -120.735817

The route begins at the Rainy Pass trailhead. Stay right to start the counterclockwise loop to Lake Ann on Trail #740.

MPL002

Location: 48.508701, -120.744939

Stay right at the Y-junction. The trail on the left leads to Lake Ann.

MPL004

Location: 48.509227, -120.764884

Take in views of meadows on Heather Pass and the surrounding peaks and mountains that rise around the trail.

MPL005

Location: 48.504848, -120.768993

Crest a saddle, then turn left; stay on the ridgeline. Several trails descend to Maple Creek below.

MPL006

Location: 48.499986, -120.761118

Stop on the saddle below Frisco Mountain for more views.

MPL007

Location: 48.50321, -120.747765

From this point high on the ridgeline, you can see Rainy Lake and the waterfall that feeds it.

MPL008

Location: 48.508346, -120.734489

Turn left here to complete the loop back to the parking lot. Optional: Turn right on the paved path to visit Rainy Lake.

First views of Lake Ann

Location: 48.509071, -120.757127

Views are spectacular once you leave tree line, Lake Ann and it’s surrounding bowl. That peak that is visible the trail goes up and over the top.

Fall colors on the trail

Location: 48.508985, -120.760238

Fall colors present on trail as you head by Lake Ann.

Heather Pass

Location: 48.508715, -120.763403

Heather Pass meadow. Trail veers off from main trail here, and wanders across this meadow, to trail that leads to Lewis Lake.

Black Peak

Location: 48.509238, -120.764809

Black Peak dominates the view here above Lewis Lake.

Golden Larch

Location: 48.50836, -120.765066

Fall colors are spectacular, the reds and gold of fall foliage stand out along the trail.

Lake Ann

Location: 48.506952, -120.766633

Views back towards Lake Ann, and trail head. Can barely see the trail running along the lower side of peak to left of lake.

Glacier Peaks

Location: 48.504806, -120.768778

Snow and ice covered peaks present themselves across the miles, to name a few: Gunsight, Sinister, Dome, and Spire.

Corteo Peak, and Black Peak

Location: 48.504962, -120.7688

Below these two prominent peaks is the Maple Creek drainage.

Trail along ridge line

Location: 48.50091, -120.766869

Corteo Peak, and Black Peak are easily viewed along this portion of the trail, as the ridge is clear and exposed.

Rim view

Location: 48.500313, -120.765045

From this point, on the other side of the bowl, you can see across to Cutthroat Peak, Whistler Mountain, and beyond.

Ridgeline

Location: 48.5, -120.76086

At this last saddle before heading down, the trail zig-zags downhill below your feet, across a narrow ridge, and grassy fields.

Frisco Mountain

Location: 48.499901, -120.760839

Early snowfall dusts Frisco Mountain, that sits above Rainy Lake.

MAP008

Location: 48.510172, -120.766219

Primo campsite with awesome view.

MAP007

Location: 48.509824, -120.764648

Nice ridgetop campsite.

MAP006

Location: 48.508712, -120.763532

Heather Pass; fork right for meadow stroll, sweet campsites and rocky traverse to Lewis Lake.

MAP009

Location: 48.51046, -120.768178

End of maintained trail; option to traverse rockfall to Lewis Lake.