Cascade Pass
Jul 08, 2006
- Type of Outing
- Day hike
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Cascade Pass
- Region: North Cascades -- North Cascades Highway
- Agency: North Cascades National Park Visitors Center (Newhalem)
- Avg Rating: 3.65
- Be Aware Of
- Snow on trail
A trip to Cascade Pass was in order on this bright blue sky day. About a half a mile up the trail we observed two grouse, one male with his feathers puffed up prancing around a female in the middle of the trail. There are many small stream crossings on the way the the pass (some with nice waterfalls) and many great views of all the peaks in the area. After getting up to the open slopes, there still is some snow to cross. No snow or bugs at the pass it self, only a few flys in the forest section of the trail. While eatting lunch we watched 5 climbers crossing the steep snow slopes on Mix-up Peak on their way to Cache Col. Three mountain goats where also heading for the col and beat the climbers since they were not caring heavy packs. Lots of hikers out this day with many families making the trip. One family of 3 had come from Boston, MA and another had their 3 1/2 year old son make the hike with out being carried. Kids were having fun playing in the snow. Several groups of climbers and backpackers made it to the pass to either go up Sahale Arm/Mtn. or doing the Ptarmigan Traverse out to the Suiattle River. The pass also has a solar toilet flow in by helicopter. On the way back down to the trailhead, we spotted another grouse right next to the trail taking a dust bath. Big chunks of ice were seen falling off of Johannesburg Mtn. as we hiked along. Still a great hike after first going over the pass 43 years ago on a Boy Scout backpack trip to Image Lake and the Suiattle River.
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Johannesburg Mtn. from the trail to Cascade Pass.
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