Maple Pass Extravaganza

The Maple Pass Loop Trail is noted for its outstanding scenery.  Stately forests, alpine lakes, rugged ridgelines and distant peaks, as far as the eye can see.  It's a winner any time you can get up here.  So what's the extravaganza?  Well, fall colors of course.  Take world class vistas, buckets of red, orange and yellow color, mix it together and that's what you'll get.  Absolutely stunning!  Pictures and vidoes are great, but believe me, it's something you have to experience to grasp the power of this setting.

We recommend doing the loop counterclockwise, as it is a more gradual incline and then a steep decline.  The hide is placed not far from the highest point near the pass.  It is about 75 feet NE of the wilderness boundary.  The cache is a waterproof loc-n-loc with a FTF prize, a pen and pencil, a log and a few trinkets.  I added a trackable that likes the high places as well.  When retrieving the cache, please use stealth as this is a high muggle area.  Not a winter friendly cache, but you knew that, right.

There is parking at the Maple Pass Trailhead.  Be aware that a NW Forest Pass is required, or you can pay a fee on sight.  If the parking area is full, you can park along Hwy 20.  This is an extremely popular hike, so get there early.  Mid-week is best.  It is about 7.5 miles around the loop with roughly 2200 feet elevation gain. 

Congratulations to Whistling Bears on the FTF!