Hiking Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm in the North Cascades National Park
Contents
Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm Hike Information
Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 20.60Km (12.80 Miles)
Elevation Gain: 1,250m (4,101 Ft.)
Highest Elevation: 2,320m
Average Gradient: 12.13%
Effort/Reward Ratio: High / Very High
Time Needed:
– Slow: 8 – 10 Hours
– Moderate: 7 – 8 Hours
– Fast: 6 – 7 Hours
Dogs Permitted?: No
Season: ~July to October
4×4 / High Clearance Required? No
Scrambling / Exposure: None
Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm Trail
Trailhead Coordinates: 48°28’32.5″N 121°04’30.4″W
Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm Overview
Sahale Arm and Cascade Pass is the most popular trail in the North Cascades National Park in Washington, and rightfully so. This hike offers truly world class views, with stunning alpine meadows, giant mountains as far as the eye can see, dramatic glaciers and all round outstanding views for the majority of the hike. There’s also a very good chance of seeing mountain goats and black bears around the pass.
While popular throughout the summer, the region becomes blanketed in colour during the fall, when the slopes transition to a smorgasbord of reds, oranges and yellows. Many people consider Sahale Arm and Cascade Pass to be the most scenic hike in all of Washington, and it’s hard to disagree. With that in mind, you can expect the trail to be busy throughout the summer, but especially during the fall once the colours turn.
Some people opt to hike solely to Cascade Pass, which would reduce the stats above to 11.5km and 555m elevation gain (7.1 Miles and 1,820 Ft.). While Cascade Pass is undoubtedly stunning, the best part of this trail is between Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm, where the views fully open up and the subalpine heather slopes really shine. Even if you don’t go all the way to Sahale Glacier, you should at least try and reach the beginning of the talus slopes shortly before. Capable parties might also be heading to Sahale Peak, which means crossing over the glacier.
Accessing Cascade Pass requires driving to the very end of Cascade River Road. The condition of this road can vary due to its long and rugged nature requiring frequent maintenance. Typically, however, it is suitable for all vehicles, if not a little rough in sections.
In terms of seasonality, Sahale Arm is typically a summer hike given that Cascade River Road is closed for winter once the snow starts flying again. The road will only reopen once the snow has melted, usually in July. As such, July to October is the peak season for Sahale Arm. If you want those stunning fall colours though, you should find a window in the final week of September or the first couple of weeks in October, before the snow returns.
Dogs are not allowed on this hike, please leave them at home.
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Are Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm worthwhile?
Sahale Arm is right up there as one of the best hikes in all of Washington, especially if you manage to time it well for the fall colours, but even if not, it’s still spectacular. Make sure you save this one for a positively sunny day.
How difficult is the Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm hike?
At 20.6km (12.80 Miles) and 1,250m gain (4,101 Ft.) this is a relatively difficult hike, however it’s rarely actually that steep and shouldn’t prove overly challenging. The hike begins with innumerable switchbacks up to Cascade Pass, but these are all at a mellow gradient. From the pass you follow a few more switchbacks up to an overlook of Doubtful Lake and Sahale Peak. After a little more climbing you will reach Sahale Arm, at which point you can decide whether to keep going up to Sahale Glacier. Many people stop somewhere along the way, you certainly won’t feel short changed if you don’t go all the way to the glacier (though I do recommend it if you can).
Technically speaking the hike is simple and follows an obvious trail the entire time. Even the talus slopes up to the glacier are so well trafficked it’s very straightforward. There is no scrambling or exposure.
Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm Route Information
The trailhead for Sahale Arm/Cascade Pass is at the very end of Cascade River Road, which is a 9.6 mile gravel road that most vehicles should be fine to drive. The road has some potholes, washboards and some rockier sections, but typically is well graded. Parking can fill up early, in which case you would have to park on the side of the road. The views, even on the drive in, are already outstanding of Johannesburg Mountain and Cascade Peak.
From the trailhead, locate the Cascade Pass trail leading into the forest. What follows ahead is merely an efficient, albeit dull, climb up towards the pass. You’ll ascend at a mellow gradient, completing an ungodly amount (34 by my count) of switchbacks as you gradually gain elevation. After around 4.5km (2.8 Miles) and 450m (1,476 Ft.) of gain you’ll finish the last switchback (for now) and begin a long, rising traverse towards the pass.
Thankfully the views start to open up as you proceed along this traverse, and towards the end the forest gives way to open talus and heather slopes. The full valley below Johannesburg Mountain will now be on display, but this is just the start of the views.
In short order you’ll reach Cascade Pass, and if you arrive in the morning shortly after sunrise, the sun’s rays will fill the entire valley, lighting up the colourful slopes for a truly spectacular introduction to the area. You may think you’ve reached the pinnacle of this hike, but this is just the beginning.
From the pass, take a left, then keep left again shortly ahead to join the Sahale Arm trail. You’ll again begin a rising traverse, but this is far from dull. You’ll now begin a series of switchbacks through some truly glorious heather slopes, all the while gawking at the stunning mountains of Mix Up, Magic and Pelton Peak that provide a perpetual backdrop.
After climbing another 200m (656 Ft.) or so, the views will totally change as you’ll now be looking east towards Sahale Peak and Buckner Mountain, with the impressive Doubtful Lake down below. You can actually follow a trail down to this lake should you wish, it’s around 200m (656 Ft.) of steep descending to get down there.
Assuming you simply continue along the Sahale Arm trail, you’ll now begin navigating north around Doubtful Lake, all the while surrounded by beautiful alpine meadows and peaks in every direction. Keep your eyes peeled for mountain goats and black bears as they are quite common between Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm.
After climbing another 150m (492 Ft.), all of which is absolutely breathtaking, you’ll reach Sahale Arm, a largely flat, open meadow just before reaching the talus slopes leading up to the glacier camps. The wind can rip through here at times, but the views are assuredly top notch, with Eldorado Peak and Forbidden Peak now visible to the northwest.
Some parties opt to stop here, not fancying the steeper talus slopes ahead, however it’s really quite straightforward to continue on, and the views only continue to impress if you do. The trail through the meadows soon gives way to talus, but the route remains very obvious thanks to a well worn trail.
The final kilometer (0.6 Miles) is the steepest one of the day, rising around 300m (984 Ft.). Most of this is straightforward, but there are some steeper and looser sections that you’ll want to take your time on. For me, this was all covered in a thin layer of snow (not uncommon if you aim to go in the fall), but it was perfectly manageable.
You’ll know you’re at the end of the trail as you will top out at the Sahale Glacier Camp site, where a number of tent “pads” have been created out of talus, with walls and all to keep the winds out. You can of course continue on another few minutes to the toe of Sahale Glacier, and you can even walk on the edges should you wish. You might even see some parties crossing the glacier heading to Sahale Peak, but this should only be attempted by capable parties experienced with glacier travel.
The views from the camp site are outstanding since it’s higher than many of the peaks to the south, and on a clear day you can see for miles and miles.
After resting and enjoying the views, you can simply return back the way you came to the trailhead.
When should I hike Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm?
July to October is the peak season for Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm, and if you want to see those fall colours you’re best off waiting until early October. Come November the snow will have returned to these elevations and the road will be closed again once it has.
Top Tip
If you want to avoid crowds, go midweek. Weekends, especially in the fall, are incredibly busy.
If you begin hiking around sunrise you should reach Cascade Pass just as the sun’s rays fill the valley below. This really adds to the already spectacular views.
Keep your eyes peeled for mountain goats and black bears, but of course keep your distance if you do see any. Don’t go chasing the wildlife in hopes for a good photo. Even if the goats seem harmless, they have been known to be aggressive.
