If you’re looking to plan a beautiful backpacking trip in Washington’s North Cascades then you can’t get much better than Wing Lake. Tucked amongst the jagged mountains, this lake is the perfect place to spend a night or two in the backcountry! In our guide to backpacking at Wing Lake in the North Cascades we share everything you need to know about this trail, including what to pack, special considerations, and what to expect along the different trail segments. This is an alpine backpacking site, and therefore requires preparation to ensure a fun and safe trip. However, with careful planning you can enjoy an unforgettable night in the backcountry of the North Cascades! 

We did this backpacking trip and hike in late July 2025. Conditions will vary throughout the year. Early spring and fall hikers will need to be prepared for more extreme and challenging conditions!

Hiking and backpacking at Wing Lake in the North Cascades 

Leave no trace tips for backpacking in the North Cascades

Before we dive into the trail details, we go over some important tips to leave no trace (LNT) in this delicate alpine environment. Please read this section carefully. We can all work together to help keep Washington beautiful and preserve these places for generations to come. See below for our top LNT tips for this hike!

Camp in established sites. There are a multitude of established campsites around this area, all of which are more than 200 feet from the delicate alpine lake (which is the distance recommended by Leave No Trace and the parks service). Use established sites in order to avoid crushing vegetation. Dishes should be washed 200 feet or more from the lake. Click here to learn more about doing your dishes in the backcountry.

Protect alpine vegetation by staying on trail. Alpine vegetation is fragile, and it’s essential that you watch your step and stay on trail whenever possible. Heather, which is pictured above, is especially important for stabilizing alpine soils and allowing other plants to thrive. Heather communities take thousands of years to grow, yet a few tramples with a careless step can kill it. Avoid cutting the trail or widening trails in order to avoid muddy spots. 

Avoid campfires. Campfires can cause huge and destructive wildfires due to wayward sparks or by smouldering embers when you leave camp. In 2025 the North Cascades area banned campfires starting in early July, so they’re not even permitted. However, I generally think it’s best to avoid having any campfires from June onward. You are, however, allowed to have a fully-contained fuel-burning stove like a Jetboil. Please don’t light the Cascades on fire.

See our backpacking gear list below for our recommended camp kitchen setup.

Pack out what you pack in. All waste, including human poop and all toilet paper, should be packed out. There are no restrooms at Wing Lake – in fact, the closest bathroom is at the trailhead. See below for some backcountry bathroom tips!

Trail stats and difficulty level for hiking and backpacking Wing Lake in the North Cascades

If you do this route as we did it – Maple Lake Loop to Wing Lake and then back along Maple Lake to complete the loop – here are the stats…

Elevation gain and loss: 3,600 feet
Distance: 12 miles

I used AllTrails to calculate these distances, so they may differ from exact real-life mileage.

How hard is this hike? I would describe this trail as challenging but doable for fit hikers. I would not recommend this to novice backpackers or infrequent hikers. It can be done as a backpacking route or as a long day hike, but beware of your timing as the boulder field (more on that below) takes a lot of time to navigate.

Special considerations for hiking and backpacking at Wing Lake

Do you need permits for backpacking at Wing Lake in the North Cascades? Backpacking at Wing Lake does NOT require permits, and sites are on a first come first served basis. Camping along the Maple Pass loop portion of this hike is prohibited. Additionally, all camping inside North Cascades National Park, located nearby, requires a permit. This hike is outside of the park’s boundary.

Research the weather, and prepare for cold nights and mornings. This campsite is in the alpine, so even in summer you can expect cold nights and mornings. Pack accordingly, no matter what season you visit! I used a 17° F backpacking quilt and Amiana used a 0° F sleeping bag and we were sufficiently warm. We also packed warm puffer jackets. In addition to the cold, research the weather and prepare for any conditions you might encounter, including rain, snow, and lightning. You can access our full backpacking gear list below.

Water filtration options along the trail to Wing Lake. As you come up from Maple Pass you’ll pass a few water sources. After you take the turnoff for Wing Lake you’ll likely need to wait until you traverse the boulder field in order to filter water again. Once you’re done the boulders you will pass a large stream, followed by Lewis Lake. The final ascent between Lewis and Wing lake is also dry. 

Pack hiking poles. You’ll encounter a lot of elevation gain and loss, and you’ll also have to navigate a mile long boulder field to get to camp. Poles are extremely helpful. See below for our top hiking pole recommendation. 

Ultimate trail guide to hiking and backpacking at Wing Lake

Below you will find a breakdown of what to expect along different segments of the trail when backpacking at Wing Lake in the North Cascades.

counter clockwise trail segment along Maple Pass (miles 0-2)

The first section of this trail is along the popular Maple Pass route. I recommend going counter clockwise, which makes for a more gradual (and shorter) hike in. This portion of the hike takes you up through the trees, offering limited views of the surrounding mountains and lake until you’re about a mile and a half in. Here the views open up, and you’ll see your first glimpse of the beautiful Lake Ann. Watch out for roots and rocks, which can be found along this trail. 

After the 1.5 mile mark you’ll pass several small seeps where you can filter water. You’ll ascend a few switchbacks before you encounter a discrete trail sign on your right-hand side. This trail leads to Wing Lake. 

Trail tip: Because this route is popular you may have to park along the road. Arrive early! Make sure to park legally as rangers do give parking citations here.

Lewis Lake and traversing the boulder field (miles 2-3)

Once you turn off the Maple Pass loop onto Wing Lake trail you’ll pass through a small heather meadow. Please stay on trail here! From there you’ll begin a descent toward a long boulder field. Along the way you’ll pass lots of larches and stunning views of the mountains off to your right-hand side. Once you reach the boulder field you’ll want to take things slowly and look for cairns (rock stacks) to guide you. However, it’s a bit of a choose your own adventure at this point! I found poles helpful for navigating this section of trail. The boulder field took us over an hour to cross. Take your time to avoid injury on the rocks!

Once you cross the boulder field and ascend up a ridge, you’ll find a large stream on your right-hand side. This is a good place to filter water. You’ll then follow the trail to Lewis Lake, which is a stunning blue color! There are several established campsites here. Beware of chipmunks that want your food.

Take a rest, enjoy the views, filter some water if you need it, and get ready for the final ascent to Wing Lake!

The final ascent from Lewis Lake to Wing Lake (Miles 3-4.5)

After enjoying time at Lewis Lake you’ll make the final grueling ascent to Wing Lake. Prior to this point I think the trail is quite moderate, but this final stretch is more challenging. 

You’ll traverse the right-hand side of the lake, which is quite brushy in summer. After that, you’ll encounter a steep climb that offers great views of Lewis Lake and the surrounding mountains. The trail keeps climbing and climbing in a relentless ascent until Wing Lake. Wing lake offers beautiful views of the water and mountains. If you’re feeling ambitious you can ascend further to summit Black Peak, but that adds substantial elevation gain.

There are a number of campsites at Wing Lake to choose from, some of which are tucked into the trees. I recommend dropping your pack and scoping out the sites before you commit! Remember to camp at established sites about 200 feet (or more) from the water. You can also camp on hard surfaces (rocks), and there are several flat spots that are conducive to this.

In summer we countered some mosquitos, so come prepared with bug spray. We find that 20% picaridin is the best defense! Herbal bug sprays don’t help much with the voracious mosquitoes here.

Packing out from Wing Lake to Maple Pass (Miles 4.5-7)

When you’re done camping you’ll turn around the hike back down the way you came. There’s not too much to say about this repeat section of trail other than that the boulder field takes just as long to traverse on your way back as it does on your way to Wing Lake. Take your time!

Completing the counterclockwise Maple Pass loop (Miles 7-12)

Once you get back to the trail junction you can return to your car along the route you hiked in on, or you can complete the Maple Pass loop like we did (continuing counterclockwise). If you do the full Maple Pass loop then you’ll turn right when you get to the main trail. From here you’ll ascend up a series of switchbacks. The trail features a gradual ascent up to the saddle. Along the way you’ll have fantastic views of alpine flowers (if hiking in summer), mountains, and Lake Ann. Water filtration options are nearly nonexistent along this portion of the trail.

The final stretch of this hike takes you down a series of switchbacks overlooking a small alpine lake, followed by even more switchbacks through the trees. You’ll quickly lose the views. We’ve done this hike several times and every time we do it I forget how much I dislike the final two miles, which are a bit of a downward slog. However, I would say the views on the rest of the hike are well worth it.

Final thoughts on backpacking at Wing Lake in the North Cascades 

This is a beautiful alpine lake hike, and a unique but challenging backpacking trip. I appreciated the lack of permits, and that it wasn’t too busy on a summer weekend. Backpacking at Wing Lake in the North Cascades requires preparation and research. Prepare for alpine weather, a long and steep trail, and to leave no trace in the alpine. If you’re prepared to protect these wild and scenic places when you visit, and you’re ready for this trail, then I highly recommend planning a trip here.