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 Satirical photoshop junkie who frolics in the mountains of the Chilliwack River Valley
Chilliwack, BC
Canada
6908 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2012 : 7:10 PM
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First a link to more information about this splendid loop:
http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/maple-pass
I recently spent a couple of days along Highway 20 in Northern Washington and did a few dayhikes along the way. This one, the Lake Ann/ Heather Pass/ Maple Pass loop, was my first of three and goes down as one of the best loop dayhikes I've ever done.
With a round trip of 7.2 miles and 2000 feet of elevation gain with opportunity for even further exploration makes for a great dayhike. This loop has it all...sub-alpine lakes, tarns, a ridgewalk, flowery meadows, larches, a cool forest walk and off-shoot trails for further exploration.
I hiked it counter-clockwise, so Lake Ann, only an hour in was my first destination. There's no camping allowed within 1/4 mile of this lake as is the case with most easily accessible lakes in the area.
Pulling out all the stops with the signage:
After some 45 minutes of forest hiking, a junction is reached with the option of going left for a 15 minute hike to Lake Ann (recommended) or continuing to the right steadily heading up to Heather Pass.
I took the side route to check out Lake Ann.
 
Then it was onwards and upwards to Heather Pass at 6200 feet.
Lake Ann below:
 
Toward Heather Pass:
 
Now is where the views really begin to open up as the trail becomes a ridgewalk towards higher Maple Pass.
     
Eventually though it's time for the trail to descend a bit more steeply than the incline going up back down towards Rainy Lake and Rainy Pass where I started.
 
Was a leisurely 5 hour hike for me. At Heather Pass there is also an offshoot trail that crosses the ridge and heads over to Lewis and Wing Lakes. I didn't check them out as it was a north slope and had a fair bit of snow still kicking around.
The trail in it's entirety is in great shape and easy to follow throughout. A great diversity of scenery on this most excellent loop trail.
The turn-off for this loop is on the right at Rainy Pass on SR20. There is also a day-use/ picnic area by the trailhead. |
Edited by - BillyGoat on 08/03/2012 7:11 PM
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Langley, BC
Canada
1692 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2012 : 11:07 PM
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| Nice! Been curious about this 'other' Lake Ann. |
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Utah's canyon trekking,deck chair packing desert explorer who dreams of visiting Canada someday
3988 Posts |
Posted - 08/07/2012 : 8:36 PM
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What a great hike!! Looks like the trees are in good shape up there, too. I like it all. The picture looking down on Lake Ann. Cool shot on the steep mtn meadow with the mountains in the background. What a great view. I would have to pack my deck chair, sit awhile, have a beer and See ya on the way back and chill for a couple hours. Looks like it could be a puzzle that my grandparents would build for days on their dining room table. But, then again, the view deep down from the top into the lake is a keeper! I would have to press on. Great stuff! Have ya ever hid a beer in a stream and gone back to it a year later? hmmmm I might try that one hehe... How would it fare for a whole year in a stream? I would have to secure it with some chains. |
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Satirical photoshop junkie who frolics in the mountains of the Chilliwack River Valley
Chilliwack, BC
Canada
6908 Posts |
Posted - 08/07/2012 : 9:48 PM
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| Lol Jerry you funny guy |
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Lake Ann Heather/ Maple Pass Loop July 27
