HIKING THE MAPLE PASS LOOP | INCREDIBLE DAY HIKE IN THE NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK OF WASHINGTON 

Hey thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it!! This was a beautiful and peaceful spot.

Thanks Len! It was beautiful, and definitely a little bit on the busy side.. which is why we got the early start! I'm learning a little more and more with each video, and I always appreciate your continued support to the channel. Thanks so much!

This will definitely be one to remember for a long time to come! The views were endless, and the company was pretty great too! Hope you’re doing well, John! And as I learn more about your channel, I hope that Kado is doing well also. I always appreciate your comments and support brother!

Thank you so much Monica! The views were never ending! You definitely did spot some Fall colors, but it looks like now would be the time to hike it with all of the larches turning colors and I'd love to hike it again for that reason. It was so pretty, and I hope you get the chance to do it someday. Thank you for the comment, and for the support to channel! Cheers! -Danny

Thank you Jason! That’s one of the most scenic day hikes in the PNW. I appreciate you checking out the video!

Yahoo! Glad you enjoyed the video. Have a blast on your trip!

YES! Thank you so much, Rob! I'm glad these videos can take you along with us!! That's what this channel is all about. Cheers!!

Thank you so much! This is one of my most favorite hikes in the PNW. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

It was amazing! I'd definitely recommend this one, and especially recommend getting an early start. For a day hike you really get some spectacular views of the North Cascades. Thanks for watching it and for checking out the video!

Hey thank you so much Mike! This was definitely one to remember. I hope you're doing well! -Danny

It's such an amazing place.. words really can't describe it! Thank you so much for watching!!

Hey thanks guys!! This one will be sure to give you some PNW Rocky Mountain views 🌲 Let me know if you have any questions regarding it. Have an awesome time!!

Thank you so much!!

That would be awesome if we ran into each other! This one had been on my bucket list for a long long time, and I'm happy we were able to check it off. You get some pretty amazing scenery for a pretty simple day hike with this one. Yeah the map at the end is pretty fun to watch. It's an app called 'Relive'.. and I track my trips with Gaia GPS and then export the trip to the Relive app and it creates it.. If you ever try it and have a question feel free to ask. Thank you for watching the video!

Thank you so much! This is one of the most scenic hikes if not THE most scenic hike I've ever been on. I appreciate your nice comments!

Thanks Philip! Aha, it's Tessa :) Unless I really emphasize the 'A' at the end of her name it always sounds like Tess.. which everyone calls her anyways. Thanks so much for the comment! You definitely have to do this one.. for a day hike you get some really spectacular scenery for around 9 miles or so. And that's awesome! Glad you enjoyed that Goat Lake video.. to this day it's one of our favorite lakes we've ever been to. I really appreciate the support to the channel, and I'll definitely keep the ideas coming your way.. thanks again, -Danny

It’s a stunner for sure! Thanks for watching!!

Thank you so much! Literal 360 degree views in every direction. Really appreciate you checking out the vid, and for the sub! Cheers!

@@DannyJSchaefer Yeah no problem! Keep it up!

Yeah!! Awesome to hear, Nate. I'm thrilled to hear that this video has inspired you to make the trip out here for this hike. I 100% don't think that you'll regret it. Thank you my friend, and right back at you. I believe you subscribed to the channel so thank you for that as well. Let me know if you have any questions regarding the hike. Cheers! 🌲

Ahoy brother! Yes you certainly have given me a motivation kick to do just that! This trip here will leave me with 5 states to finish within the Country then I’ll set my sails to great unknown. I’ll be sure to reach out to you here in the near future with a few questions! Thank you for your kindness. 💙☮️💙🌏

Thanks you guys! It was a beautiful hike!

@@DannyJSchaefer you're welcome 😊

Hey thanks so much for the awesome comment! Maple Pass is beautiful, and I hope you get the chance to get up there sometime. I see I gained a new sub, and if it that was you - thank you for the support!

@@DannyJSchaefer I did just subscribe! Keep making videos! I do plan to get up there soon enough. I mostly make videos about mountain biking trails, but occasionally I’ll review a hike if it’s got decent views!

Well I really appreciate it! I checked your channel out briefly and subbed as well as it looks like we film similar things. Looking forward to watching the mountain bike videos. Cheers!

Thanks so much Manny! I appreciate the support!

Hey thank you so much James! We’re really glad you enjoyed the video!!

counterclockwise is more scenic. great choice.

Oh man I bet you guys hit it just perfect for the golden larches then! We walked by so many that hadn't turned so I kept thinking that it would be amazing to do this in early October. I'm glad you guys had a great time! I saw that I got a couple of new subscribers since you commented (It doesn't always tell me who) and if it was you, thank you so much!

Agreed! The scenery was fantastic. Thanks again!

Hey thank you so much for checking out the video! You have to do this one!!

@@DannyJSchaefer I think we’ll get out there. Ansel adams wilderness coming up soon then PNW ASAP haha 🙌🏼

Oh man have a blast! That sounds fantastic. If you think about it, I’d love to here how the trip went! Have a great time, happy trails!

@@DannyJSchaefer 100%. I’d love to see some videos from you down in the Ansel Adams’s Area (unless you already have some and I just missed them lol). I’ll lyk my dude

Aha not yet! I have always wanted to venture down there.. it’s on the list! I’ve been wanting to get down to Cali for the High Sierra Trail to Hamilton Lakes/Precipice Lake as well.. one of these days it’ll happen!

Thanks so much watching it, Kathleen! I don't remember the trail being full of boulders. The trail is pretty straightforward and clearly cut. Yes, we love using are trekking poles so hike away with them! If it helps, I made a trail guide to this hike that you can find on the channel. Thanks again, and let me know if you have any more questions!

No experienced mountain hiker will criticize you for using poles. Only young, inexperienced idiots ever would.

Agreed! Thanks for watching.

Wow, thank you so much for the nice and thoughtful comment! I gave your channel a quick peak, and think it’s even more awesome to get that comment from a bigger channel - that doesn’t happen very often so it’s much appreciated. I’m going to subscribe, and give your video of the trip a view. Thanks again for checking ours out!

@@DannyJSchaefer Thanks man... sent a sub back your way. The YT channel's been a good journey for my family. We just purchased a house on 4.5-acres in MI. Enjoyed seeing the work you guys did with the personal gym.

@@AmericasParks That’s awesome. Your channel seems pretty family oriented, and all the videos will be great to look back on someday. Oh so you’ve seen the second channel? Thank you! That home gym has been the best addition to our property. We’re here in Northern Idaho, and if you’re ever around the area we’ll have to catch a hike or backpack. Thanks so much for the sub!

@@DannyJSchaefer Appreciate the invite... will keep that in mind!

Hey guys - thank you so much for the comment! This hike was beautiful.. and if I'm being honest I kept thinking to myself that we're a few weeks too early, because when the larches are in full bloom the views would be top notch! Sounds like you guys had a great time. I am always up for a challenging adventure - thanks for the suggestion! Correct me if I'm wrong, but Spray Park can be accessed off of the Wonderland Trail right? (Hoping to do that next year). I'll give that one a look and add it to the never-ending list :) I really appreciate the support to the channel, and we'll definitely keep posting. Thanks for the heads up! Cheers!

@@DannyJSchaefer Yes Sir, Spray Park is accessed from the Wonderland Trail, just south of Mowich Lake. Some folks use the Spray Park Trail to cut across instead of going all the way up and down Isput Pass. We did the Wonderland in 2016 (starting at Mowich Lake) and it was AMAZING !! No matter which way you decide to go, you'll never forget the experience. We only live once. Be safe out there and if your interested in Knapsak Pass, it's on my channel. Looking forward to seeing more of your videos. Tell Tess hello (lol)

Ahhh, one other thing. I noticed you had a Yeti cooler at the end of the video. They are a bit pricey, are they worth the money?

Thanks Tom!! Sorry for taking a few days to back to ya! I'm rapidly trying to get our new house ready for the winter, and am probably going to take a week or two off from uploading just to focus on that! This was such a cool trip for a simple day hike! Breathtaking for sure, and it was awesome having Tessa back for a video! Haha the Prius.. AKA the "Adventuremobile." Somehow we manage to car camp in it pretty well, and it works pretty well for that! I'm not the tallest drink of water so it's perfect! Usually we just pack it full in the back, and when it's time to sleep we move everything to the front.. or to the outside if it's something like a cooler, table etc.. I've thought of making a "how-to" car camp video and might do that one of these days. You really don't need a lot! Yeah I'd say in these alpine areas in Washington that cats are probably my biggest fear! Every now and then you hear about an encounter... and that's the last thing I ever want to see, but typically you won't hear them or see them as they're pretty sneaky critters. In the lower "forested" elevations black bears are definitely prevalent as well. Depending on who I'm with, I usually am carrying a sidearm and then the other person (Tessa) has bear spray.. If I happen to be by myself I'll usually just carry a sidearm, or sometimes both depending on where I'm at. Good memory on our Olympic National Park trip! We went to the Hoh Rainforest and one of the beaches that day.. I think it was called Rialto Beach if I remember correctly. Yes! I definitely recommend this one. Are you guys here in Idaho yet? The groomed trails made it a cake walk comparatively! Mountain Lakes are my favorites as well! It's crazy to think that you can find lakes that high up.. To be honest I'm not completely positive as to how they are formed. I would guess that years and years of glacial runoff created a pool for the water to sit?? Maybe the great Missoula Floods? I wish I had a better answer for this one! As far as depth goes.. I think you'd be surprised.. I would say that a lot of the lakes go to at least 30 feet deep (just a guess). In the one's I've swam in it seems like there is always a steep shelf drop-off in all of them. I remember last year when we backpacked to Ice Lake in the Eagle Caps how deep the water seemed! That was grouse! Haha good memory on the first backpacking trip I ever filmed. Harvested is a great term for that! We cooked it right over the fire. Grouse are kind of like mountain chicken.. they're really good! And yep! That was Lake Ann below the main trail! It was really cool being at her shores and then getting to look down on it was awesome as well. The whole trail was amazing! And yes.. breathtaking! I try my best to capture it.. but man you should've seen it in person. There is a trail to Rainy Lake.. yep! We just ran out of time so we didn't go down there. I believe it's a paved, pretty popular walk down into that lake. Thank you guys so much for watching! Hope you are both doing well - cheers!

Aha the Yeti.. I bought that back when they were insanely popular. I think you find similar coolers for less money now that I've used it for awhile. Josh has the Wal-Mart brand (I can't remember the name of it), and it still had Ice in it when we got back from the six day White Clouds trip!!

@@DannyJSchaefer No worries at all about the response time! Completely understand. Don’t feel like you must respond, we realize you are swamped. Good luck getting your new home ready for winter. It is definitely right around the corner. The break from videos will give us time to go back and watch some of your previous ones again. You visited some amazing places. I think we will rewatch the Olympic National Park trip again. 😊 No, we are not out there yet. ☹ But actively looking every day!!! Understood on the Adventure-mobile!!! 😊 I think a car camping video would be awesome. I have a Ford Explorer. I keep a gear bag in there in the event I am away from home, and I get in a pickle. I have been meaning to update it. Looking forward to any information you can provide. Good to know about the cats. I need to do some research on those. I saw a video on a RU-vid channel about hunting and outdoors and the guy said a 75-year-old man was attacked in lower BC not too long ago. By now you must think I am nuts and all I do is search out stories about people getting injured or killed in the woods. I promise you I am not, well maybe a little bit. 😊 I just happen to run across them when trying to do research about the wild. I heard making noise or having a bell on your pack is a good way to alert the bears in the area. I am a little skeptical about relying on bear spray, but only because it really depends on the direction the wind is blowing at the time of the encounter. My luck, I would be in a 10-mph headwind. 😊 Can’t wait to check out those groomed trails for my first day hike! Wow, interesting to hear about how deep those mountain lakes could get. Mother Nature never stops amazing me. Oh wow, great to know about the grouse. Like mountain chickens, great to know! Thanks for clarifying that was Lake Ann. How cool is it to have a mountain lake with a freaking island!!! That is so cool! Now camping over night on that island on that lake would be insanely awesome! Thanks for the insights on the Yeti. I noticed all their gear is a bit pricey. I try to buy the best I can afford and was thinking about getting one. I just didn’t know anyone who actually owned one that paid for it. Most gear reviewers on RU-vid get things for free and I am sure most give honest reviews, but you never know. Good luck on getting the new home ready for winter. We will be binge watching previous videos in the meantime. Stay safe and be well!!!

Agreed! :)

3 words: thank you so much! Haha. You guys should totally do it next time your back around the hometown! Definitely appreciate the comment and for you guys checking out the vid! And for living vicariously through us!

Hey thanks so much Ryan! And thanks for subscribing! I think it could totally be done as an out and back hike rather than a loop. In my opinion, if you went counter clockwise like we did (the more gradual, but longer way) you get better views. If you go this way and make it to the top of the pass, I think it’s a safe bet that you’ve seen 99% of the best views on the trail. There’s a few good overlooks down to Lake Anne if you continued a bit down the switchbacks but that’s about it. Once you start the steeper descent into the trees, it’s pretty well enclosed for the remainder of the trail and the views are fairly minimal. Again if you went counter clockwise and turned around at the top then it would be a much easier and gradual descent back to the trailhead in my opinion. I think it’s a great idea! Thanks again for watching and feel free to holler if you have any more questions.

Hey Sherry! Thanks so much for checking out the video! We went in Early September of 2021.. More specifically September 6th, 2021. You should be just fine to do this in Mid-September. People typically do this into October when the larches change so I think you'll be just fine. As always though, the weather can turn at anytime so I'd recommend coming prepared just in case of rain. It's truly a beautiful place and a beautiful hike! Thanks so much for the comment and for subscribing!

Also, let me know if you have any more questions regarding the loop and I'd be happy to try and help.

I believe we went in earlier September if memory serves me right!

Thanks Dirk!! To be honest.. I have no idea.. why it's called Maple Pass as there were definitely no maple trees. I'll have to look back on the trailhead sign to see if there's anything about that. Such a cool day hike!

@@DannyJSchaefer I spent many years hiking the North Cascades in my younger days. The pass is named for Maple Creek, which descends south from the pass to Bridge Creek. The lower reaches of Maple Creek and the area of its junction with Bridge Creek have lots of Vine Maple on the sunny south facing slopes, for which the creek was named. The trail from Rainy Pass to Maple Pass was originally built as part of a new section of the PCT over the ridge between Rainy Pass and Bridge Creek. The section between Maple Pass and Bridge Creek was not built, owing to difficulties of terrain and environmental concerns. Years later, the trail was extended over and down the ridge between Rainy Lake and Lake Ann to complete the loop. As noted, it's one of the best day hikes in Washington, particularly in early autumn when the alpine larch are glowing gold.

Hey Margaret I'll be completely honest I don't remember seeing or hearing anything that said car camping wasn't allowed so we did it. If I can remember correctly, I believe we payed for parking for both days if I'm not mistaken. That's how we typically get early jumps on popular hikes - stay the night at the trailhead in the car, and then wake up early the next morning and hit the trail. If you find anything that says that car camping is prohibited I'd love to know. Thanks for watching the video!

Do you know if I can camp higher up on the trail? Thank you and great video!

Hey Carlos. To be honest I don't remember off the top of my head. Check out the Washington Trail Association's website and their Maple Pass post and it should give you the information you need.

I found this out after the fact.. but I don't believe that the Maple Pass Loop is actually in the North Cascades National Park. If you look at a map.. I believe it is actually right on the border. I haven't had troubles doing it at all. You can be pretty stealthy when it comes to trailhead camping in a car.. Tinted windows help.

@@DannyJSchaeferhey Danny do you know if camping is allowed at all on the trail?

Hey there sorry for the late reply! We did this September. I'd call the ranger station for that area and ask if they think it would be available to hike. Thanks for watching!

Yep! It’s called the ‘Relive’ app. Thanks for watching!

Hey Zoe thanks for watching the video! Not sure if you made it to the end of the video or not, but I added an interactive map in there with the total mileage and elevation gain :) In total, we logged 8.55 miles with a total ascent of 2,112'. We did all of that in 4 hours 22 minutes. I think it'd totally be worth it to make the trek down to Rainy Lake! I would've loved to but we just ran out of time. Thanks again for watching the video. Would love to have you as a subscriber to the channel if interested!

@@DannyJSchaefer yup thanks so much!! Subscribed!! Def doing this trail

@@edits_betterthanrevenge Thank you so much! Let me know if you have any more questions regarding the trail. Cheers!!

@@DannyJSchaefer haha I’m not going until June but I’m also going to Olympic national park!! Hope that will be fun

@@edits_betterthanrevenge Awesome!! Hope you have time for Mt. Storm King!

Hi there! I've been trying to look on my mapping software to find what peak you could be referring to. Is it Porcupine Peak you're thinking of? That's one of the main peaks in the 6:08 shot. I didn't really see any other peak that had to do with Three fingers or Devils Fingers.. Sorry I can't be more help, but thanks for watching!

@@DannyJSchaefer it's in the very middle, if you zoom in and scan the horizon line, its a peak thats only a few pixels wide.

@@DannyJSchaefer yeah that's it, damn that was spot on

@@abyssoulzenith Was it Porcupine Peak?! Yes!!