Maple Pass

Trail Description

A gentle climb to Lake Ann and then a gradual ascent to heather and flower covered meadows at Heather Pass. In an additional mile, on open slopes, you\'ll reach the summit of Maple Pass. A sign at the pass indicates that you have walked 3.1 miles. You can return on the same route or make a loop by continuing to a ridgetop and then descending to Rainy Lake near the parking lot(a 3.3 mile steep descent)! You\'ll pass whistling marmots and, perhaps, if you are \'lucky\' a beautiful black bear (as we did)! This trail was originally built to become the PCT but later considerations concerning the impact that horses might have on the fragile meadows created a change in designation. The trail today is in very good condition.