Heather - Maple Pass Loop
2 days ago
Vibrant crimson and scarlet undergrowth
14 this month · 121 reports
Lewis Lake
North Cascades
updated 6 days ago
Lewis Lake remains accessible with minor obstacles, with the road to the trailhead in good condition as of September 19. The trail itself is largely snow-free, though the boulder field between Heather Pass and Lewis Lake still requires careful navigation. Bugs were noted as an annoyance in August and July, but no recent reports address current bug levels. The parking lot at Rainy Pass was busy, filling quickly on a Saturday morning in September. Larches are beginning to show some color, with more expected in the coming weeks.
Generated from 13 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Lewis Lake
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 6 days ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
The boulder field to Lewis Lake is still present and requires careful navigation. As of September 19, hikers found that staying to the right could lead to a more defined trail for much of the way. However, some boulder traversing is still necessary, as noted in reports from July.
Bugs were reported as an annoyance in August and July. No reports from September mention bug levels, so current conditions are unknown.
The parking lot at Rainy Pass can fill up very quickly, especially on weekends. As of September 19, the lot was nearly full by 6:45 am, and cars were also parked along the highway.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
Arrived at the Rainy Pass trailhead around 6:45am on Saturday. We parked in the parking lot, which has recently been repaved and striped. There were only a handful of real car spots left in the lot, w...
Older1 month ago
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
We managed to do a 1-nighter at Wing Lake with decent AQI, but would keep a close eye on the conditions because when the smoke is blowing in the wrong direction, it's very smoky up there.There's a cle...
Older2 months ago
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
We completed a 2-night backpack to Lewis and Wing lakes off the Maple/Heather pass trail. The rainy pass trailhead is nearly always busy, but arriving between 12-1pm on Sunday, we found morning hikers...
Older2 months ago
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
Overnight backpack to Lewis Lake. originally intended to backpack to Wing Lake, but one person in our group felt super uncomfortable crossing the boulder field. He felt extremely tired after reaching ...
Older2 months ago
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
Sammy the Salmon Sushi reporting from Black Peak!There are lots of black rocks on Black Peak, so it's a good name.Sammy signing off!Notes from Sammy's human:-Found a bunch of gear on the trail. hopefu...
Older12 months ago
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
Distance (RT):12.0mi/19.3kmGain:4989ft/1521mGear (used):Semi-rigid mountaineering boots, poles, helmetGear (unused):N/AGear (should have brought):N/AWater:AbundantBugs:None observedOvernight at Wing L...
Older23 months ago
North Cascades
The Maple Pass/Lewis Lake trailhead was extremely busy, as expected. Drove by the trailhead the previous evening to find the parking lot full at 10pm, some people camping in their cars and others seem...
Older23 months ago
North Cascades
When we arrived to the trailhead around 11am on Saturday on a beautiful fall weekend, we joined many others at the Rainy Pass trailhead. So yes, parking is intense. We were able to snag a spot close-i...
Older23 months ago
North Cascades
North Cascades
By 8:30 on a Saturday cars were lining Highway 20. In the minutes it took to get ourselves and our gear ready, at least five groups pulled up behind us. Thanks to the WTA people at the trailhead for...