Maple Pass 8/30/13

We spent the night in a motel *gasp* only because the drive from the Hoh River Valley to the North Cascades was long, roughly 7 hrs, but we got to ride a ferry. We did not get into Marblemount until 10:30, but found the only hotel closed, so we had to back track another 30 miles to Sedro Wooley to find a motel that was open. We got up early to get to the Ranger Station so we could get our back country permits. But not early enough to get in two back country nights where we wanted to go, but we were able to get a permit for the following night. So we decided to day hike an 8.2 mile loop called Maple Pass, then camp at a campsite next to the trail head we were backpacking the next day. We had heard Maple pass was a spectacular day hike, and we were not disappointed. The hike was a good strenuous workout, we started out around 4800 feet above sea level (higher than where we stopped at Hoh Lake), and climbed to 7000 feet above sea level. Many mushrooms, crystal clear lakes, alpine vistas, and waterfalls were in abundance here. This hike had it all, and on top of all that, the weather was just gorgeous! The decision to come to the North Cascades was worth it.