Cutthroat Pass from Cutthroat Lake – Best way to one of Washington’s best larch hikes

As a life long Washington State hiker who loves fall and especially our amazing golden larches, Cutthroat Pass along the North Cascades Highway is a hike I’ve been wanting to do for a long time – but I was intimidated by the length of it (10 miles + round trip) and the epic combat parking in the small parking lot and the sketchy parking that happens along the highway!

In October, one of my hiking cousins and I and a friend of ours decided to do this hike in a long day hike from Seattle. Because they are both teachers, it was going to be on a weekend. The temporary closure of the parking lot forced us to change out plan but it turned out amazing and was the perfect way to do this hike.

I recommend starting from the Cutthroat Lake Trailhead, instead of the the Pacific Crest Trailhead on the North Cascades Highway, the way we did it. There is much less crowding and there is plenty of safe overflow parking along a forest service road. This would also make a pretty great through hike to go from one trailhead to the other!

Going this way is a bit longer – 12 miles round trip with 2300 feet of elevation gain – so it’s not a hike to take lightly, but I found it to be a mellow grade the whole way and not many roots and rocks to make the trail hard to walk on.

I was surprised at how delightful it was, even though it was a lot of miles!

Cutthroat Pass is the homeland of many Indigenous groups including the Upper Skagit, Wenatchi and Chelan People.

Parking Pass: Northwest Forest Pass (or America the Beautiful Pass)

Dog Friendly: Yes. Dogs must be on leash

Cell phone coverage: No cell service at the trailhead or anywhere along the trail, or anywhere along the North Cascades Highway

Restrooms: Pit toilet in the parking lot

Accessibility and Mobility: This trail climbs 2300 feet in 12 miles round trip – it’s a challenging hike but the grade is consistent and mellow and there are not any super steep sections and very few rocks and roots.

Related: What to wear for a hike in the Pacific Northwest, What to bring for a hike in the Pacific Northwest

Where is Cutthroat Pass?

Cutthroat Pass is located along the Pacific Crest Trail just north of the North Cascades Highway. I recommend starting at the Cutthroat Lake Trailhead which is just off the highway (left turn going east) just beyond Washington Pass.

When is the best time to hike Cutthroat Pass to see golden larches?

The early October is generally the peak of golden larches. Pay attention to weather forecasts as snow and ice can be present at this elevation at this time of year.

Larches vary a bit from year to year, my hike was on October 3, 2025 (when these photos were taken).

Trail Description

Start off on the Cutthroat Lake Trailhead (or more likely along the forest service road – make sure others can pass easily around your vehicle).

In just under two mellow warm up miles, you’ll reach a junction with the Cutthroat Lake trail (left) and the Cutthroat Pass Trail (right). The lake is super pretty and just a quarter mile down the trail – it is also ringed with larches and well worth the detour.

Continuing up towards the pass, the trail begins to climb with a long series of switchbacks, taking you up almost 2000 feet in a bit under 4 miles.

About a mile before the pass, you start getting above the evergreen forest and start to have golden larches mixing in. You’ll have more and more larches along the way with better and better views as you approach the pass.

When you arrive at the Pacific Crest Trail and Cutthroat Pass, you’ll have sweeping views all around, shorter larch trees and you’ll encounter the hikers who came up from the other side. There is plenty of room for everyone to spread out and enjoy the view while taking a break before the descent.

Where to stop after hiking to Cutthroat Pass

It is important to prepare for a long drive to any services of any kind. The Mazama store is the closest service (14 miles east), followed by about 30 miles to Winthrop (east). Heading West, you’ll find only limited services (a gas station or two, a store) for 100 miles to Burlington.

Electric Vehicle Charging near Cutthroat Pass

The nearest EV fast chargers at in Newhalem (47 miles west) and Winthrop (30 miles east).

Looking for a place to stay near the Cutthroat Pass trail?

Good idea! It is a doable but super long day from the Seattle area. Make a weekend or even a week of it!

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Hi! I’m Jennie. I’m a fourth generation Seattleite. I lived in Alaska for many years and I still spend lots of time there every year visiting friends and working as a tour director. I’ve been a guide for many years in both Alaska and Washington and host the Alaska Uncovered Podcast as well as the Washington State Hiking Podcast. I love to share the places I love with visitors, newcomers and my fellow locals. I’m so glad to have you here!