Spent two nights in Pelton Basin, with a day hike up to Sahale Arm and Doubtful Lake.
This report is primarily about Pelton Basin and Doubtful Lake, as Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm have been well documented in recent reports.
Pelton Basin group camp and shared cooking area is fully melted out, but a large snow pile remains in at least one of the other sites. However, campers appeared to be able to fit 2+ tents without camping on snow. We fit two 2p tents + five 1-p tents in the group site. The blowdown previously reported on the trail has been fully cleared. Toilet is in good shape but getting full. There are some large and unafraid deer that meander through camp day and night, so food can never be left unattended. Mosquitoes are getting bad, and seemed to be the worst in the afternoon and evening. Pelton Basin was unexpectedly beautiful - a worthwhile destination on it's own!
Cascade Pass + Sahale Arm: Perfect. Snow is inconsequential. Heather is in full bloom. The goats are everywhere, and are also unafraid of people, many of whom were getting too close (or allowing them to get too close). Remember that goats are wild animals and when they get too comfy with humans it puts them and us in danger https://www.wta.org/go-outside/trail-smarts/how-to/mountain-goat-basics-give-the-goat-the-trail
We continued down to Doubtful Lake for a cold plunge. That trail is steep and eroding. It badly needs benching, and there are a few obstacles. Was the lake worth the 700' drop into the basin and climb back out? Absolutely.
We saw: goats, bears, deer, marmot, pika.
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