Climb up into the rugged terrain of the North Cascades Mountains. Feel yourself surrounded by peaks and glaciers as far as the eye can see. There’s no doubt about it, the Cascade Pass & Sahale Arm Trail is one of the most spectacular day hikes in Washington.
This challenging route takes you high up into the alpine, with a chance to spot marmots, wildflowers, and even bears along the way. 🐻
My husband and I took on this trail in the fall and I’m still thinking about it two years later.
While it’s a popular trail for good reason, it can also be confusing and strenuous if you’re unprepared. That’s why I’ve put together this detailed blog post packed with tips, the best times to go, and everything you need to know before hitting the trail.
Happy trails! 🥾
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Table of Contents
Planning Your Hike to Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm
Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm Hike Stats
Distance (Round Trip): 7.4 to Cascade Pass or 11.5 miles to Sahale Glacier
Elevation: 1700 to CP or 3900 feet of gain to SG
Type: Out and Back
Length: 6-8 hours
Difficulty: Hard
Best Time to Hike to Cascade Pass
Cascade Pass is a stunning trail, that’s best hiked when the weather warms up from late July to early September.
I recommend hiking Cascade Pass from late summer to early fall!
It’s a spectacular trail, with wildflowers covering the mountains in August 🌸🌺 and vibrant colors coming out in the Fall. On our trip in late September it was a magnificent sight!
The North Cascades gets a lot of snow and is very cold for much of the year. At elevations above 5000 feet, snow continues to cover the mountains through June. So, it may not be clear until later on in the season.
As someone who grew up on the East coast, I was not aware how long snow clings to the mountains. My first trip to the North Cascades was in late June and I was shocked 😮 at how much snow there was and how much was still closed.
We hiked up to Cascade Pass in late September and they had already gotten snow at the top of the hike. So, we needed microspikes at the summit!
Things to Know Before You Go
💵 There is no fee to enter North Cascades National Park, so you do not need a park pass.
☀️ Weather changes quickly in North Cascades National Park. Make sure that you stay updated and that you take the proper precautions. If there are signs of bad weather, then stay in the lower elevations.
⛺️ There is no camping at Cascade Pass, but there is backcountry camping along the trail at multiple locations including Sahale Galcier. You will need to get a permit in advance. More details below.
🐻 North Cascades is bear country, so make sure to stay bear aware and make loud noises when hiking on the trails. Pack Bear Spray as well!
🦮 Pets are not allowed along this trail.
🅿️ Parking gets EXTREMELY CROWDED on nice weekends in summer and fall. If you do park along the road, make sure you leave plenty of space for cars driving. When we were there a bunch of cars almost got stuck!
⚠️ The Cascade River Road is closed for much of the year and typically opens in late June or early July. Snowy conditions can be expected as late as July and early as September.
🍃 Remember to follow the Leave No Trace Principles. As always, you want to leave nature looking better than you found it.
How to Get to the Cascade Pass Area of North Cascades
Cascade Pass is in a remote area of North Cascades National Park, near the Marblemount area.
If you are coming from the North Cascades Highway, you will continue on the highway until you get to Marblemount area. From there, you will turn onto Cascade River Road.
From there, you will continue on Cascade River Road for more around 23 miles along the forested, narrow road before you get to the Trailhead. At the end, you’ll begin to see cars and you’ll know you’re there.
Camping at Cascade Pass & Sahale Glacier
One of the best ways to experience the Cascade Pass area is to go on an overnight backpacking trip. That way you can fully immerse yourself in the mountains and see stunning sunrise and sunsets. 🌄
There are a few areas along the trail where you can backpack including: Pelton Basin, Sahale Glacier, Basin Creek and Johannesburg.
These areas are some of the most popular in the entire park and they do require a permit.
When you go remember campfires are not allowed, bear storage is required, and you must pack in and pack out everything you bring.
How to Get Backcountry Camping Permits:
- You must get a permit in person! Permits are available at the Wilderness Information Center in Marblemount the day of or day before your trip.
- Permits are $10 per person, plus a $6 fee
- Once you get your permit, you must carry it with you when you go!
Packing Guide
It’s vital that you pack layers for your trip to Cascade Pass! Storms can come in quickly and conditions can change in an instant.
When we went in late September, we were super hot as we got to Cascade Pass. But once we made it up to the Sahale Arm area we needed our winter hats, jackets, and microspikes!
It’s very important to prepare well, even if you are just going on a day hike.
Cascade Pass Packing List
- Comfortable Hiking Boots
- Day Pack
- Hiking poles
- Water Reservoir
- 1-2 Liters of Water
- Snacks and Food
- First Aid Kit
- Sunscreen
- Bug Spray
- Bear Spray
- Headlamp
- Shelter
- Rain jacket
- Light winter jacket
- Base Layer
- Microspikes
- Good Hiking Pants/Bottoms
- Winter Hat (optional)
- Gloves (optional)
- Satellite phone
You can read more about day hiking gear here.
Cascade Pass to Sahale Arm Trail Details
Now that you’re prepared for your journey, you can read all about the Cascade Pass & Sahale Arm Trail below!
I’ve included details so that you know what to expect along the way.
To Cascade Pass
Once you get a parking spot, you will make your way to the trailhead and follow the signs for Cascade Pass.
You’ll make your way through the forest and over a series of 20 switchbacks. It feels a bit tough but you’ll be rewarded with some views of the mountains peeking out through the trees.
Finally, the forest begins to open up, and you’ll find yourself at the start of a large hill covered in loose rocks or scree. But it’s just a bit further to the first real destination- Cascade Pass.
At just over 3.5 miles you’ll get to Cascade Pass. At this point, you can sit down and enjoy the breathtaking views of the rugged mountain peaks. Plus, there’s a pit toilet here, so you can relieve yourself before going on.
Many people stop here and turn back, but if you’re up for a longer day adventure then you can continue on to my favorite parts of the trail!
If you want a different adventure, you can head east at Cascade Pass to Pelton Basin or Horsehoe Basin and continue down into Stehekin Valley.
Up Sahale Arm
After you get up to Sahale Pass, you will take the trail up to Sahale Arm that leaves towards the East. From here, you will continue to gain elevation.
We had gorgeous reds and oranges covering the ground beneath us, which was amazing. But, eventually the path gets a little more difficult as you pass over a rocky scree covered area.
Then, you will continue up for a bit further, before coming to Sahale Arm and insane 360 degree views. 🤩 Tons of hikers stopped here to enjoy the view, eat a snack, and then head back down without continuing to the glacier.
When we went, snow covered the area from Sahale Arm up to Sahale Glacier and the camp there. It’s also one of the toughest parts of the trail as you gain 1000 feet in a mile.
But, it’s definitely worth it! The views from the top are insane and this trail is a spectacular day hike that you won’t forget.
Final Tips for Hiking Cascade Pass
Although this is a day hike, it’s fairly challenging. So, make sure that you’re prepared with plenty of water, good shoes, and layers for the day.
Before you go, look up trail conditions on Alltrails so that you know if there are any problems before you head out. You can also check on the NPS website as well.
Hiking Cascade Pass & Sahale Arm is still one of my favorite things I’ve ever done! So, I hope you love this trail as well.
Let me know if you enjoyed this trail guide in the comments
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