North Cascades National Park guide · 1 min read
Cascade Pass and the Sahale Arm Climb
The Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm Trail starts at the trailhead at the end of Cascade River Road.
That road leaves State Route 20 at Marblemount and runs 23.1 miles to the trailhead, about an hour's drive. It is paved for its first third, then turns to gravel, with some narrow, steep sections near the end. From the trailhead, the trail climbs steadily 3.7 miles to Cascade Pass, gaining 1,700 feet, and peaks such as Eldorado and Johannesburg come into view along the way.
Cascade Pass is the first major stop on the route. From the pass, hikers can head off in several directions, and Pelton Basin lies just beyond it. Campsites in the area include Pelton Basin, Sahale Glacier, Basin Creek and Johannesburg, but there is no camping directly at the pass itself.
Past the pass, the route continues onto Sahale Arm and on to Sahale Glacier, 5.9 miles from the trailhead, with a total gain of 3,940 feet. That section is rated strenuous. Along the way you pass through evergreen forests and fields of heather and wildflowers, and you may see marmots, mountain goats and even bears. Mountain goats can be seen walking right along the Sahale Arm trail.
Sahale Glacier Camp is a backcountry campsite with views over Doubtful Lake and dozens of snow-capped peaks. Overnight backcountry camping requires a backcountry permit. Done as a single day, the out-and-back route covers 12 miles with 4,150 feet of elevation gain and typically takes 5.5 to 7.5 hours. It is rated hard and suits experienced hikers who are comfortable with long, sustained climbs.
