There are two different ways to access Cutthroat Pass. You can hike it from the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), located across from the Rainy Pass Trailhead on Highway 20. Or you can access the Pass via Cutthroat Lake. I prefer to do it as a shuttle, starting on the PCT and ending at the Cutthroat Lake Trailhead. Of course, this requires that you have two cars, which won’t always be the case.

Starting on the PCT, the first couple miles of this hike are through lovely but dense forest, so don’t expect a lot of views in the beginning – or larches. Around the 3.5 mile mark, the trees start to thin, and you’ll encounter your first golden larches! From here up until the pass, you’ll be hiking in a golden wonderland. At 5 miles, you’ll reach Cutthroat Pass. From the pass, enjoy expansive views of the North Cascades, golden larches as far as the eye can see, and Cutthroat Lake below you. On a nice day, there are few places better suited for a mountain picnic.

From the pass, you can either continue along the PCT or head down toward Cutthroat Lake and your second car (if you are doing the shuttle). Otherwise, just turn around and continue back the way you came. Although this trail is long, the gradual grade makes it a relatively easy 11 miles. In fact, it’s a popular trail for trail running, and I even saw a couple mountain bikers peddling their way up to the pass from the lake.

Pro Tip: Do this hike as a shuttle with one car parked at the Pacific Crest Trail parking lot across from the Rainy Pass Trailhead on Highway 20 and a second car parked at the Cutthroat Lake. If you have time, Blue Lake and Heather Maple Pass Loop are also located in this area. Stay in the nearby towns of Mazama or Winthrop and check them all off your list!

Distance: 11 miles RT Elevation Gain: 2,000 ft. Difficulty: Moderate