elizabethadventuresblogThe North cascades is home to some of the most beautiful fall larch hikes. Golden larches line the trails and lake sides, drawing in thousands of people every year. If you’re looking for amazing fall hikes, heading to the North Cascades is the perfect Pacific Northwest destination!
Learn everything you need to know about these hiking trails from the best time of year to go, when to expect the larches, what to bring and how to beat the crowds on trail. These four trails are close to one another and make for amazing individual outings or the perfect weekend of hiking if you clump a few together.
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Before you go Larch Hunting
Be sure to know and follow the 7 Leave No Trace Principles on trail. It’s so important to help protect these beautiful places we love and enjoy. Make sure you know these principles before going out on a hike.
- Plan Ahead and Prepare: Always check for current weather updates and educate yourself on trail conditions prior to starting a hike. Look for recent reviews or call the local ranger station for up-to-date trail information like closures, recent wildlife and road conditions.
- Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces: Stick to the trail. Avoid going off trail unless it’s to go to the bathroom. You can capture amazing photos from the trail. Do not cut switchbacks. Stepping off trail can cause years of damage with just one simple step. Camp in existing campsites rather than over vegetation.
- Dispose of Waste Properly: Pack out all trash and food scraps. Never toss food items on the ground. It is harmful to the wildlife. Properly dispose of human waste by digging a cat hole at least 6 inches deep and burying human waste. Bring a wag bag to pack it out in fragile alpine terrain. Never leave toilet paper or feminine hygiene products behind. Bring a bag and pack them out to dispose of properly because they shouldn’t be disposed of on trail. Same goes for dog poop. Properly bury it or pack it back out to dispose of. Do not leave dog poop bags on the side of the trail. They are easy to forget, animals can get into them and other hikers don’t want to see them.
- Leave What You Find: Do not take objects like plants off trail with you. Preserve nature by not marking on rocks or harming any natural objects. Never pick wildflowers. It is illegal in many states.
- Minimize Campfire Impacts: Check and follow all local wildfire regulations. Use existing fire rings and keep fires small. Put fires out properly by dousing with multiple gallons of water. Coals should be cool to the touch before walking away.
- Respect Wildlife: Never touch, feed or approach wildlife. Give a minimum of 25 yards to all wildlife and a minimum of 100 yards for predators and larger wildlife. Wildlife are not like house pets. They can spook easily or feel threatened. Stay in your car if wildlife is near the road.
- Be Considerate of Others: Respect other hikers by allowing those that hike faster to pass. Uphill hikers have the right of way, so safely step aside for them to pass, unless they offer to stop first. Limit noise and use headphones. Keep groups under 8. Say hello to a fellow hiker!
What Are Larches
The larch tree is a deciduous conifer. Larches are found in high altitude forest in the northern hemisphere, where temperatures are cooler. Unlike other conifer trees, larches needles change from green to yellow in the fall months before dropping their needles for winter, just like a deciduous tree with leaves does.
In the spring and summer months, larches can be hard to identify if you haven’t seen them before because they may look like any other needle conifer tree. You can usually identify them from other needle trees because they almost have a lime green color to the needles and they tend to have softer, lighter needles in appearance.
When Is the Best Time to See Golden Larches in The North Cascades
Larches will start to turn golden yellow at different times every year and there is no real way to predict when that will happen. It will depend on the current temperatures, so a warm fall means they will take longer to turn. If it is a cold fall they may turn sooner.
Normally, larches in the North Cascades hit peak during the beginning of October. They may start to turn light green and have some yellow appearing the end of September though. If you want the most accurate on-site of the current conditions, call the local ranger station or get on apps like AllTrails to read the current trail reviews. People will usually share if the larches are starting to turn, if they have hit peak colors or when they think peak colors will happen.
If you’re traveling from out of town, this can make it difficult to plan a trip not knowing exactly when the peak colors will be. If you aren’t able to be flexible and wait to head out when colors are peak, plan your visit between the first and second weekends to have the highest chance of seeing golden larches.
4 Amazing North Cascades Larch Hikes
Below is trail information for four amazing fall larch hikes in the North Cascades. Read below to learn everything you need to know from permits, if dogs are allowed, what to bring to when to hike to see the larches. These four trails are epic individually but make for an amazing weekend of larch sightings since they are al so close to one another.
Maple Pass
Distance: 6.5 miles round trip
Elevation: 2,162 feet
Trail: Loop
Difficulty: Hard
Dogs: On leash
Pass: Northwest Forest Pass, America the Beautiful or $5 trailhead fee
Maple Pass can be done as a loop or an out and back. Read my guide, linked above, to learn about the route directions so you can best decide how you want to hike this trail. There is no wrong way to hike here and whatever route you choose will bring beautiful views.
Once you reach the top of the pass, you’ll have stunning views of Lake Ann below and the North Cascade mountains in every direction. The top of Maple Pass does not enter the national park, but there is a sign (it had fallen last I hiked) stating going beyond the sign was entering the national park. There is not a trail from above that takes you into North Cascades National Park.
If you are hiking here in the fall months, you’ll see larches and fall colors galore from above. There are multiple viewpoint areas where you can stop and look out over Lake Ann along the way. Maple Pass Trail also has rope along the trail to encourage hikers to stick to the designated trails and not wander into the fragile meadows. Be sure to stick to the designated viewpoints and stay on trail.
Blue Lake
Distance: 4.6 miles
Elevation: 952 feet
Trail: Out and Back
Difficulty: Moderate
Dogs: On leash
Pass/Permit: Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful
Blue Lake trail begins relatively flat with a few well maintain boardwalk sections. It follows Highway 20 before cutting up the hillside towards the lake and beginning the gradual elevation climb. The trail is through a forest so it is well maintained until reaching an open meadow. There the trail has a few short switchbacks through the meadow before returning to the forest. After 1.8 miles there is a small clearing where the climber’s trail junction is. This is where those wanting to summit the Liberty Bell and the Winter Spires will break off from the Blue Lake trail. From here the lake is about another .5 miles.
As you approach the lake, you will notice there are a lot of ropes along the side of the trail and signs asking hikers to remain on trail. Please respect these areas and help protect them by remaining on trail. The meadows and vegetation in mountain terrain are extremely fragile and just a few steps off trail can cause irreparable damage to them, therefore its important we help protect it and stay on trail.
There are multiple large rock areas as you approach the lake that make for great resting and photo spots. Near the first opening is where there is a junction for the Tarn Loop, which I discuss below and another trail that follows the edge of Blue Lake to the rock field on the other side. There is no trail around the lake so if you wish to explore the rock field on the far side of the lake, do not continue around the lake. Return to the trail and walk back the same side of the lake.
The Tarn Loop
Once you reach Blue Lake, there is a junction to the right for the Tarn Loop, which goes above the lake. Many hikers skip this small loop but it is an absolute must and only adds about half a mile to the hike. The loop takes hikers above the lake with views looking down at it before heading over to a meadow area with a small pond. From the loop there are stunning views of the surrounding North Cascade peaks and in the fall an abundance of larches to enjoy.
Goat Peak Lookout
Distance: 3.3 miles
Elevation: 1,443 feet
Trail: Out and Back
Difficulty: Hard
Dogs: On leash
Pass/Permit: Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful
Goat Peak Lookout is the only trail on the list not near the other three trailheads, but it is still nearby. It requires driving forest service roads, which are well maintained and drivable with a lower clearance car, just go slow. Be sure to have directions saved and a working map to get you to the trailhead, but also back out without missing the turns. Do not rely on cell service to navigate to and from the trailhead here.
Goat Peak Lookout is a short, but steep hike to a working fire lookout. Be sure to stay off the lookout tower if signs are posted stating it’s in use or to stay off. You do not want to disrupt those working the tower.
From the top you can see Mazama and the Upper Methow valley. This is a short hike, but it’s quite steep for a majority of the hike. Most of the larches will be found on the second half of this trail.
Cutthroat Pass
Distance: 10 miles
Elevation: 2,024 feet
Trail: Out and Back
Difficulty: Hard
Dogs: On leash
Pass/Permit: Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful
Cutthroat Pass trailhead is located less than a mile from the popular Maple Pass loop trailhead. Although it’s not as well known as it’s neighboring Blue Lake and Maple Pass, it has some of the most dense and vibrant larches on trail.
Cutthroat Pass begins on the Pacific Crest Trail, a popular through hiking trail that runs from Mexico to Canada. On a clear day, the views from the top are breathtaking, too. The trail is a constant trek through forest as it climbs. It consists of countless switchbacks.
When you reach the top of the pass you have three options. The first is to enjoy the views and then hike back down the exact way you came. This is what the trail stats above show. If you want to continue, you have two options. The second option is to continue along the PCT and turn around when you are ready to head back. The third option is to head down to Cutthroat Lake, which you can see below on a clear day. This would be an additional 7.4-/+ miles and almost an additional 2,000 ft in elevation gain and loss. This would be a difficult addition.
What to Bring Larch Hiking
The 10 Essentials
No matter the length of difficulty of a hike, you should always carry a backpack with the 10 essentials. You can learn more about these item in my “The 10 Essentials” guide. This hike is a more difficult hike and if there were an emergency and you had to get help on trail you will want to have these items on hand. In addition, you can always help a fellow hiker in need.
Warm layers
Fall hiking means various ranges of temperatures and often all in one day. It’s important to pack plenty of layers, especially in the fall. The weather can change quickly and if you hike in the fall, it can go from cold to warm in hours. I like to bring a down coat and rain coat with me so I know I’ll be comfortable if the weather turns. I also bring a long sleeve shirt to wear over a tank top. It can be used as a sun shirt for protection or a warm layer. On colder days I like to also bring a fleece layer.
Hiking Backpack
Every person hiking should always have their own backpack with water and supplies. Never rely on someone else to carry your gear because if there is an emergency everyone should be individually prepared. I like to use one between 25-28L so I have plenty of room for food and layers. I have the Gregory Jade 28 and the REI Trail 25.
Hiking Shoes
Always wear proper shoes when hiking. This means trail runners or hiking boots because they will provide the best traction over rocks and loose terrain. Sandals and tennis shoes are not great footwear for the trail. This trail can be wet and rocks will be slick. Waterproof shoes are best if the trail is wet.
Water and Electrolytes
It’s so important to stay hydrated hiking, no matter the time of the year. Plan to have one liter of water per 2 hours of hiking. There are a few streams you can filter water at if you bring a filter, but plan to pack plenty of water. I also bring electrolyte snacks on every hike I go on. I like using my bladder to make sure I’m consuming enough water since it’s easier to drink from. A large water bottle is a great option if you don’t like bladders. I always carry my water filter with me so I can resupply my water as needed.
Reminders
- Larches change color in the fall months, but there is no way to predict exactly when that will happen. Every year will be different depending on the weather. Larches in the North Cascades are at a higher elevation and will change earlier than lower elevation larches. Plan for early to mid October and look for trail reviews or call the forest service for up-to-date information.
- Always practice Leave No Trace Principles on Trail. This means leave wildlife and nature be. Do not remove anything you find, do not mark on rocks or trees and give wildlife plenty of space. Stick to the designated trails and do not cut switchbacks.
- Fall hiking means colder temperatures and unexpected weather changes. Always pack more layers than you think you’d need and be prepared for sudden inclement weather. You could hike for larches and be warm in the sun or be in the snow since the mountains can be unpredictable that time of year.
- The North Cascades is one of the most popular areas to go for larches in the fall. Expect to see a lot of people on trail with you and extremely busy parking lots. If you aren’t starting your hike at sunrise you will have most likely arrive to a very full parking lot, but getting to the trail is is the best way to enjoy these trails. Never park on the road and follow all parking rules listed in the lots. Learn more about the trails through my guides linked above!
The larch tree is one of my favorite pine trees and I love being able to see them every fall. There is just something magical about the way they turn to a golden yellow unlike other needle trees. Hopefully this guide helps you discover someplace new to see larches, but also encourages you to look for them around town! If you have any questions or use this guide or help you discover larches in Central Oregon, be sure to leave a comment and let me know!
Happy Hiking,
Elizabeth
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