I was unexpectedly out of town for a big hike Chris had planned to Maple Pass Loop. He went without me but shared pictures of his experience. I was super jealous and said I needed to go sometime. He loved it so much that he was willing to do it back-to-back, providing I led the hike and acted as his brakes. Apparently, he had raced through the hike when solo (his natural pace tbh) and was absolutely exhausted by the time he was done. I happily agreed because I am a proud member of both the Out of Breath and
Slow Hiker Clubs.
Side Quest 1: Bathrooms
We left our place around 3:30 because the trailhead is about 3 hours away. I drink a lot of water and was extremely interested in services by the time we got close, but unfortunately, most businesses were closed due to the early hour. We stopped at the park’s Visitors Center, but they were also closed. Chris was desperate enough to find an accommodating tree, but I pressed my luck. A little bit further down the road, Chris spied a lookout that seemed to have a bathroom-looking building. He was right, and I was relieved.
I then got distracted by a cool-looking trail and decided to go to “the scenic overlook” that I was sure was just around the corner. Turns out it was in fact a loop that we absolutely did in flip flops as a bonus pre-hike, hike.
Side Quest 2: Bonus Bathrooms
We pressed on a bit further, but I was still driving, and I’m easily tempted by scenic overlooks. I spied and stopped for one overlooking Lake Diablo. Lovely morning views and bonus bathrooms. This is hilarious because the week prior, Chris drove over 2 hours post-hike to get to a bathroom because he didn’t realize all these overlooks and Visitor Centers had them. Today he learned.
Trailhead Arrival
We got to the trailhead around 7:15 or 7:30 (Side Quests do a number on your expected stats), found yet another bathroom, and then hit the trail. The trail is lovely. Very classic PNW with trees and moss. There was also a gorgeous clearing that we walked through for a bit of sun.
I was having a fine time hiking. Feeling good about the elevation gain, the pace, everything. So when we reached the turn off for the Lake Ann out and back, I pushed for us to go see Lake Ann. Why on earth would we turn down bonus hike time and a water feature?! Obviously, we would not.
It’s right about this time that Chris informs me that we’ll see Lake Ann from above and that there’s no reason to go down this path. However, my amazing husband neglected to convey a very key detail regarding this hike to me until after we reached Lake Ann.
Side Quest 3: Lake Ann
The walk to Lake Ann was nice and slightly downhill. There are a number of camp sites that are pretty isolated, and only 1 was in use at the time. It seemed like a lovely place to camp for the weekend.
I’m sure Lake Ann has lovely viewpoints, but our vantage point was kinda meh.
Also, Chris takes this exact moment to lay it on me that this is a ridgeline hike and that we’re going all the way up there. I immediately start to regret my 1.2-mile detour to see poor Lake Ann, but I’m not about to tell my smug, overly fit husband this. Instead, we press on. And on. And on. And on.
Up, Up, and Some More Up
Honestly, this hike didn’t have that much elevation change, but having clear views of everything did a number on my mental stamina. It was absolutely gorgeous and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
The Ridgeline
These photos and my words will never do justice to the amazing views this trail offers. It is insanely beautiful, and I highly recommend it. Huff & puff. Grumble all the way, but go on this hike if you have the chance.
The Return
Once we left the ridgeline and began our descent in earnest, the hike was again your classic PNW trail. Still lovely, but exhausted me didn’t exactly linger to take many photos. I did feel like I was kicking butt as a good brake when Chris spied a waterfall that he had completely missed on his first time on this journey.
Oh! And we were able to spot the car. Very helpful, I know.
Side Quest 4: Rainy Lake?
Not quite a half mile from the end of the loop, we reached the turn off to go visit Rainy Lake. My brakes were fully in gear by this point and we did not go on yet another Side Quest. I was one tired hiker and threw in the towel.
I feel like I missed out. This is why I go on all the side quests: FOMO. The main trailhead sign calls this the Rainy Lake Trailhead. Maple Pass Trail is in much smaller print. I bet the lake was lovely and worth it. We should probably go back and check it out a bit more than this view from a distance.
Future Side Quest: Walk to Mexico?
Apparently, this trail is part of or adjacent to the PCT, and so this sign offers encouragement and a map for how to get to Mexico. I kind of want to be the person who would do this. However, I love running water (read daily showers) far too much to ever dream of attempting it.
Random musings from the hike
Every hike has random questions or conversations that arise as the miles are conquered, and this trail was no exception. Some of the ones that I recall are:
Why is this called Maple Path Trail when there are no maple trees to be seen?
Some dude probably named this lake after his wife, Ann. I wonder if she made good maple bars? Maple pies? Something with maple because why else is this the Maple Pass Loop?!
It’s incredibly deceitful not to put “ridge” somewhere in the name of this trail.
We should put an IKEA here.
Lake Ann is prettier from above.
Is Rainy Lake only full when it’s been raining? Is it not a lake otherwise?
Wow! That’s stunning!!