Maple Pass Loop trail

Look at Maya, trucking down the trail out in the North Cascades! Thanks Amanda, for these pictures from your Sunday hike.

I know their parents are hovering a feet away, but it's still amazing to me seeing these kids out in the wilderness, playing together like it was Central Park.  Well, the North Cascades is their backyard...

The Maple Pass Loop trail is a 7-mile classic Cascades hike, especially popular in the fall when the larch trees are turning gold.  Amanda said this trail has it all:  forests, alpine meadows, pristine lakes, and great mountain views along the ridge walk at the top.  It also has an impressive 2,000 foot elevation gain. Maya and the other little ones were carried for part of the way, but Nova and her friends walked (and ran) the entire thing.  I'm sure everyone slept well that night.