Heather–Maple Pass
Rainy Pass loop
The Route
A loop above Lake Ann crosses Heather and Maple passes along an alpine ridge.
- Rainy PassHighway 20 trailhead
- Lake Ann JunctionOptional lakeshore spur
- Heather PassOpen basin traverse
- Maple PassHigh ridge
- Rainy Lake PathPaved connection to parking
Lake Ann & Heather Pass
From Rainy Pass, the counterclockwise route climbs forest to the Lake Ann junction about 1.25 miles in. Visiting the lakeshore adds a 0.6-mile return spur. The main loop instead traverses above Lake Ann and reaches Heather Pass, then continues along the ridge toward Maple Pass with increasingly open basin and mountain views.
High Traverse & Descent
The upper traverse follows steep hillsides near the national-park boundary. Beyond Maple Pass, switchbacks descend through forest; the final 2.5 miles lose roughly 1,700 feet. The loop joins the paved Rainy Lake approach for its last half mile back to the parking area. Rainy Lake itself is a separate spur, just as the Lake Ann visit is additional to the standard loop.
Terrain Along the Route
Forest gives way to subalpine slopes, talus and exposed ridge trail above Lake Ann.
Approximate guide figures for the named route and endpoint, not a current measured track. Reference Set: 2026-10-23.
Weather
Current forecasts open at the providers below. NWS forecasts describe a terrain grid cell, not an exact summit.
Access
Rainy Pass Trailhead, North Cascades · Highway 20, WA
Trailhead & Approach
Start at the Rainy Pass picnic-area lot on SR 20. The loop connects with the paved Rainy Lake path; Rainy Lake and Lake Ann lakeshore visits are separate spurs.
Parking & Entry
Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass is listed for the trailhead. SR 20 winter closure and shoulder-season road conditions are published by WSDOT, separately from trail reports.
Parking & Facilities
The Rainy Pass south-side lot has about 40 spaces and a privy. The north-side parking area serves different trail starts across SR 20.
Source information checked 2026-10-23. Road snapshots are dated separately.
Reports
Recent Trip Reports
Open the route-specific WTA reports and compare the hiking date, endpoint and reported conditions.
Official Access & Updates
Open the official page for current access notices, permits and seasonal information for this destination.
Links open the publishers’ report pages. Reports are not automatically imported or filtered to a forecast date.