Rainy Lake, Lake Ann, & Maple Pass Loop
(Milepost 157)

Turn right near milepost 157 to access the Rainy Pass rest area. The Okanogan National Forest does an excellent job of administering the trails here and maintains a beautiful picnic area as well. Forests of Pacific Silver Fir, Mountain Hemlock, and Engelmann Spruce reflect the 4,860 ft. elevation. Accessibility in spring can be extremely limited, and cool temperatures prevail here even in summer. Snow can linger into August but summer weather can be warm, and sun precautions should be taken. Remember to take plenty of water and gear for all weather conditions.

Two trails begin at the entrance to the picnic grounds. A large National Forest trailhead sign designates starting points for the two mile round trip to Rainy Lake or the seven mile round trip to Maple Pass. The shorter trail to Rainy Lake is level and paved offering a great introduction to this montane habitat. Birds here include Yellow-rumped, Townsend's, and Wilson's Warblers, Chestnut-backed and Mountain Chickadees, Brown Creepers, Red Crossbills, Golden-crowned Kinglets, and Winter Wrens. In summer, many species are possible such as Townsend's Solitaire, Pine Grosbeak, Gray Jay, and Clark's Nutcracker. Northern Pygmy Owls are resident here and occasionally Golden Eagles visit. Rainy Lake itself is worth the stroll, a deep blue gem surrounded by peaks and waterfalls. The lake's cold, glacier water contains few birds, but mergansers and other waterfowl are seen on occasion.

The seven mile Maple Pass Loop takes the hiker to subalpine habitat in a relatively short time. Subalpine Fir and Mountain Hemlock grow sparse as the trail climbs a moderate pace. Listen for Pika and Hoary Marmot amidst talus slopes and soak in the myriad of wildflower color in summer. Black Bears frequent the area and though seldom seen, Mountain Lions are resident. Before the trail leaves the shade of Pacific Fir and Englemann Spruce, a trail branches to the left and down to Lake Ann. The right fork continues on to Maple Pass, a more advisable route.

Birdlife here is usually present high in slender conifers and conspicuous by voice. Check treetops for Mountain Chickadees and Red-breasted Nuthatches. Clark's Nutcrackers and Gray Jays easily make their presence known, but Townsend's Solitaires are more secretive. Chipping and Fox Sparrows forage in heather and huckleberry shrubs and Blue, and on rare occasion Spruce Grouse can be found.

As the trail ascends, subalpine meadows make appearances filled with colorful mountain flowers, fragile heather communities, and rocky talus habitat. Many species congregate in and around these rich areas. Golden Eagles and Northern Goshawks are spotted occasionally soaring around the peaks. Hermit Thrushes and American Pipits inhabit moist meadows and Steller's and Gray Jays forage low in the trees. Chestnut-backed and Mountain Chickadees form foraging flocks with kinglets, creepers, and nuthatches. White-crowned and Golden-crowned Sparrows sing in spring and Dark-eyed Juncos are plentiful. Listen for the chip chip flight songs of Pine Grosbeaks and try to distinguish them from the similar songs of Red Crossbills. In summer a "quick, three beers" will identify an Olive-sided Flycatcher and Pacific-slope Flycatchers sound their "pee-a-wheet" song.

Please be very careful of this subalpine habitat. Meadows at this elevation are extremely fragile and take many years to form. Stay on the trail at all times. Lingering snow can tempt one to stray off trail causing serious erosion problems. Please be respectful of the land you are traveling through!

The trail ascends to almost seven thousand feet where snow is sometimes present throughout the summer. Here, twisted Subalpine Fir, Mountain Hemlock, Western Larch and Whitebark Pine serve as perching posts for Clark's Nutcrackers, Townsend's Solitaires and Mountain Bluebirds. Snowmelt create small wetlands where White-tailed Ptarmigan reside. Gray-crowned Rosy Finch and Blue Grouse inhabit these rocky slopes and Golden Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks, Cooper's Hawks, and occasionally, Northern Goshawks sail the thermals.

At the pass, search the mountain horizon to the southwest where volcanic Glacier Peak rears its icy head. Scan the valleys for Black Bears while Mountain Goats are always possible in the area. Continue on where the trail begins its descent through outstanding flowered meadows. Watch for butterflies along the way and look for Chipmunk and Pika scrambling amongst the boulders. At this point, it is possible to view both Lake Anne to the left and Rainy Lake to the right as you straddle the knife-edge ridge that separates these drainages. The trail now descends rather steeply until forests of Pacific Silver Fir shade the way. Turn left at the intersection with Rainy Lake trail to bring you back to the parking area. This is one of the most scenic subalpine trails that is moderate in grade and brings the visitor to the high country with relative ease. In summer it can be crowded so the early birder gets the birds!

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