Maple Pass and Blue Lake, Popular Fall Hikes in Washington, Reopened After Fire Closures
The most popular fall hike in Washington, Maple Pass, was reopened on September 22 due to the Blue Lake Fire.
In addition, another well-traveled trail, Blue Lake, is also open, even though the nearby Blue Lake Fire has been burning for months this summer.
For those unfamiliar with the area, this is the eastern side of the Washington Cascades, about three hours northwest of Seattle. The closest towns, though they are in no danger, are Mazama and Winthrop.
Both trails are popular for Washington hikers as they offer remarkable views of the surrounding North Cascades but also have stunning fall colors, including golden larches that glow when the sun hits them just right.
Top Fire Lookouts in Washington
As of publishing, this is the full list of trails closed in the area in addition to Maple Pass being closed.
Trails Closed Trail No. 2000 Pacific Crest Trail, from the boundary of North Cascades National Park north to the junction with State Route 20 along with:
- No. 310 Rainy Lake
- No. 314 Blue Lake
- No. 426 Copper Pass
- No. 740 Maple Pass
- No. 740.1 Lake Ann
- No. 727 Liberty Bell
- No. 727A Beckey Spur
- No. 727B N Early Winters Spur
- No. 2172 Stiletto Spur
Per USDA
The forest service says the wildfire has burned more than 1,000 acres, and the estimated containment is October 1. Currently, 91 heroic people are working on the fire and have it over 70% contained.
What is Still Open in the North Cascades
After looking at the map, you’ll see that this does not affect the North Cascades National Park trails – though those are somewhat harder-to-reach destinations and require serious hiking, mountaineering, or backpacking.
Sadly, on the other end of the park, near Diablo Lake, is the Sourdough Fire, which has closed portions of the trails in that region.
Other great hikes in the areas include:
- Cutthroat Pass (either the PCT or through Cutthroat Lake)
- Grasshopper Pass
- Kangaroo Pass
- Easy Pass
- Cascade Pass (and Sahale Glacier Camp (overnight permit needed))
- Hidden Lake Lookout
You can find more of my top fall hikes in Washington here.
What Else You Need to Know About These Closures
“Note that firefighting resources are still utilizing some open areas, including Washington Pass Overlook and LAugust 14ampground. Please follow any fire crew directions in these areas and respect closed gates, fire gear, etc.”
When did the Blue Lake Fire Start?
The Blue Lake fire started on August 14, late at night, per a release on the website.
Is the Maple Pass Hike Open?
The popular Maple Pass trail is currently closed due to the Blue Lake Fire. The most recent order says it will not be opened until November 30, 2023. Sadly, that is winter for Washington, which means it could very likely be closed until next summer.
Is the Blue Lake Trail in Washington Open?
The popular Blue Lake Trail is closed due to the Blue Lake Fire. The most recent order says it will not be opened until November 30.
When will Maple Pass and Blue Lake open up?
Maple Pass and Blue Lake are now open.
Is Highway 20 Open?
Yes, Highway 20 is still open through Washington Pass. Please drive carefully and slowly, as wildfire personnel and equipment will be in the area.
This article first appeared on Explore With Alec. You can stay up to date on this by following him on Instagram.