Maple Pass

Maple pass is one of my all time favorite places. Nestled in the North Cascades right at Rainy pass, it's easy to get to, you get up to the alpine really quickly, and the views are amazing. Going clockwise around the loop you ascend quite steeply, then enjoy a lovely downhill through beautiful open ledges and cedar forest. Sam wanted to go counterclockwise, which I had never done, making the loop a completely new run. It made for a longer uphill but the views were astounding in a slightly different way.

Before we know it the snow will start falling, and we can come here to ski before the highway closes. Until then, the mountains are in their prime. Get out there!

Family picture!

Looking north, toward Cutthroat

Rainy lake, way down there