Wing Lake
Permits and reservations
Outside wilderness and park boundaries, on Forest Service land. Matched from official boundaries and trail managers. Always confirm with the land manager before you go.
About the trail
Overview
Start at Rainy Pass on the North Cascades Highway and follow the Lake Ann / Maple Pass trail toward Heather Pass. From there a boot path crosses a talus field and drops to Lewis Lake, then climbs steeply to Wing Lake, tucked under Black Peak. In fall the basin turns gold with larches. Rainy Pass is only reachable while Highway 20 is open.
Tips from hikers
From trip reports and route guides
- Watch for the Heather Pass turn. About 2 miles in, go right toward Heather Pass instead of continuing to Lake Ann.
- Hug the trees in the boulder field. Stay right near the tree line and follow cairns. Plan on about 25 minutes of slow, careful footing.
- Save energy for the end. The last mile gains more than 1,200 ft.
- Water is limited early. The first reliable source is a stream below Lewis Lake, about 3.75 miles in.
- Go midweek in larch season. Weekends can bring a dozen or more groups into the basin.
- Pack for cold nights. Fall nights at the lake can drop near or below freezing.
What you need
Parking and passes
Forest Service trailhead: display a Northwest Forest Pass or an interagency pass (America the Beautiful).
Buy a Northwest Forest PassGetting there
The hike starts at Rainy Pass Trailhead. Save directions offline before you leave, since mountain roads often lose cell service.