Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm — Tuesday, Sep. 23, 2025

Currently wind is blowing smoke from all the fires east of this area. It was a blanket of smoke today. This hike has been on my bucket list for years and I got a room at the cool hiker hotel (north cascades inn) to do hikes in this area…so I did it anyway. My eyes are burning and swollen, and I certainly wouldn’t do it if you have asthma or other breathing problems. I could tell this would be a 5/5 hike as the views (would normally) start from the parking lot. The difficulty rating on this hike comes from its length and the last 1/2 mile up a boulder field where there is not much of a path. Would definitely return and do this hike on a clear day. (Maybe if there’s breeze coming from the west, you could go this year)