One thing to keep in mind is that, if there are camp spots on the trail, they are very limited. There are down by Hidden Lake but you can’t hike there with your dog because it’s inside the park boundary.Īgain, I would call the ranger station and ask on these and any other options. I don’t know if there are other campsites around the Lookout. You may be able to sneak your pup in if the other campers there don’t mind but it’s iffy. Camping is allowed in the lookout on a first-come-first-served basis but I’m pretty sure dogs are not officially allowed in there. It’s VERY steep in sections but beautiful. I haven’t done that one but it’s on my list. I don’t remember seeing campsites there but the Forest Service rules say “no camping within 1/4 mile of the lake” so that leads me to believe there may be a campsite or two. The Blue Lake Trail (make sure it’s the one off Highway 20 near Rainy Pass if you look it up – we have more than one in this state) may have some camping available. The camp sites along the trail might be inside the park and dogs aren’t allowed on those portions of the trail. Most of the trails along highway 20 go right up to the National Park Boundary and some continue inside. Also, considering that the Lake Ann trail junctions is only 2 miles into the Heather-Maple Pass trail, you wouldn’t be gaining much by camping there (still have at least 5 miles to go – which your pup has done so maybe it’s worth it?) I would call the ranger station to confirm there are indeed campsites there. I do know camping within 1/4 mile of the lake is prohibited so the camp spots, if they are indeed there, would be right after the junction of the Lake Ann trail and the main one. I’ve read there are a couple camping spots at Lake Ann but have not seen them myself. Camping is very limited to non-existent on the Heather-Maple Pass loop. There is also a parking area on the north side of the road here which provides access to other trails. There is room here for 40 cars, as well as a privy. After approximately 50 miles, the Rainy Pass trailhead will be on the south (right) side of the road. Permits and Passes: A Northwest Forest Pass is required to park at the trailheadĭirections: From Seattle, drive Hwy 20 through the town of Marblemount and on towards North Cascades National Park. I suggest you go on a weekday if you can for the best chance at some solitude and to get the best “people-less” photos.Įnjoy the rest of the photos from our fall hike…. Everyone else thinks so too though so this trail is very crowded on the weekends. The trails often go right up to the boundary of the National Park so these “loophole” trails are a great way to experience some of the North Cascades National Park scenery with your dog.Īnyway, this is an excellent dog friendly hike any time of year but especially in the fall. The mustard-green swath is the “safe zone” where dogs are allowed on the trails I have yet to find out the “official” name for it, or the land manager (I assume it’s the Forest Service or Department of Transportation) but there is a corridor on the north and south sides of the highway that is not technically “in the park” so dogs are allowed on those trails. Now, dogs aren’t allowed on the trails of the North Cascades National Park but there is a “loophole” for this trail. The trail starts at Rainy Pass along the North Cascades Scenic Byway (Highway 20), which cuts through the North Cascades National Park. The trailhead is about 3 hours northeast of Seattle along the North Cascades Highway. We spent more hours driving (6 hours round trip) than we did hiking (about 4 hours) for this hike but it was worth it. Now, when I say “near” Seattle I mean within driving distance. I decided to take her and Gretel to one of the best dog friendly fall hikes near Seattle – the Heather-Maple Pass Loop. We have a lot of deciduous trees here in Washington that stay green all year long but there are a few trees that pop gold, red, and orange against the green background come October – Maple and Larch trees. None the less, the show must hike on.Ī friend from California was in town last weekend and I thought I would show her some of the best fall-color hikes near Seattle. While Gretel needed zero recovery time after our 3-day backpacking trip, I am still sore and ouchie.
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