Hike Maple Pass Loop

We started the trail going counter clockwise through the forest and soon enough got to the first opportunity to turn left and go down to Lake Ann, but decided to forego that this trip since our start was a little late! After going up a little farther we reached Heather Pass and enjoyed the first of many gorgeous views to come! We didn't find the trail too difficult going up until we reached the edge of North Cascases National Park and it got a bit more difficult following up the trail to the high point but we had amazing views of peaks in every direction! Going down was the worst part for us once we got into the slightly denser forest as it became a bit steeper and our dogs were pulling and we were not looking to land face first on any rocks (been there, done that!) but going down the views are still gorgeous. I think we took pictures just about all the way down! When you get close to the bottom you will look down on Rainy Lake which is a gorgeous shade of blue and then that's when you enter into the thicker trees. Eventually the trail drops down on to a wheelchair accessible route where you can either turn right and go .6 miles to Rainy Lake or turn left and head back to the parking lot. Once again, we decided to forego Rainy Lake this trip because of time constraints as it was starting to get a little bit darker. Going back towards the parking lot after getting onto the paved trail is only another half mile and then you're back!