Backpacking trip report for Cascade Pass, Pelton Basin, Horseshoe Basin, and a bit of Sahale Arm.
We backpacked up the trail to Cascade Pass on Friday the 19th. The trail is in great shape, and the overcast skies kept the temperature down and the bugs at bay. Saw a marmot at the Pass. The trail down to Pelton Basin Camp is also in good shape, with easy switchbacks.
Pelton Basin Camp is tucked into tall trees and clear of underbrush. The cooking area is solidly built with several rocks to use while cooking and located right next to the bear boxes. The tent sites are well-marked, and the new solar composting toilet is a dream (just be sure to pee elsewhere). Water access at Pelton Creek is also great. But, on the night we were there, the bugs were horrible – no breeze and the humid air made for a miserable evening. Fortunately, we had head nets. And then we set up a mesh “bug pavilion” with trekking poles and string just so we could eat in peace.
The best part of the Cascade Pass Trail is just east of Pelton, as it winds through trees and is relatively flat. When we crested the ridge on Saturday morning, we could see the valley below. Our excitement was short-lived, though, as the switchbacks down to the valley floor were steep, overgrown, exposed, and hot. Watch your footing. The Doubtful Creek crossing mentioned in recent trip reports is no longer an issue, but makes for a great place to get water, cool off, and relax. We did see a black bear on this part of the trail, but it ran off before we could get a photo of its fuzzy backside. There are a couple of minor rock slide areas where the trail becomes hard to follow. Look for cairns and take it slow.
Basin Creek Camp on Saturday was not fun. The tent sites are dusty and crowded with underbrush. No shade and no breeze meant more bugs. There are chipmunks in the area, and they scurried around overnight looking for accessible food (they found none). The cooking area is fine, but needs more infrastructure. Everything (tents, clothing, cooking gear) got dirty here. Fortunately, a few hundred yards down the trail is wonderful access to Basin Creek. The NPS installed a new aluminum bridge over the creek; so, even if you are going no further to Stehekin, it is worth the short walk to see it.
Our day hike up to Horseshoe Basin on Saturday afternoon was uneventful. Please be aware that the trail is overgrown due to unfortunate trail crew staffing shortages. But the waterfalls are still going strong and make for wonderful pix. Here is where we saw the most/best wildflowers. A young (baby?) marmot watched us intently as we walked by, wondering what kind of creatures we were.
On Sunday morning, we got up at 6:00 am to beat the heat back up to Pelton Basin. A quick, no-cook breakfast got us out before sunrise, but the sun caught us right before the “oasis” at the Doubtful Creek crossing. We soaked our shirts to keep us cool up the 12 switchbacks back up the hill. We cooked “breakfast” back at Pelton which was now great because a stiff breeze kept the biting flies away.
Sunday afternoon involved a dayhike up Sahale Arm. There is no water (until you get really high up ridge) so be sure to take enough. And the trail is steep in several places so trekking poles might be helpful. Saw some goats, and the Rangers were warning people to keep away. After all the elevation we did earlier in the day, we decided to not spend another night in the woods, so headed back to the TH. With no wind in the afternoon, the trail down from Cascade Pass became a warm, humid, biting-fly-infested slog. Although we didn’t use head nets, I got several bites on my shoulders (through my shirt). Be sure to take some kind of bug spray (eucalyptus worked for about 60 minutes at a time).
All in all, a good trip. The heat and bugs made things interesting, but the views were fantastic.
Quick note about the road: Yes, it is open to the TH. Yes, they paved long steep sections of it. But there are still washboards along most of the dirt sections so be prepared for it (and I wouldn't take a car with a lightweight suspension). We got lucky to find a spot at 11:00-ish on a Friday, but the reality is that you may need to park down the hill several hundred yards -- this hike is THAT popular, especially on the weekends.
Quick note about the Sahale Arm trails: please, please don't walk on the heather. Please respect the signs and stay on the main trail. The goats have created their game trails, but we humans should know better. Thanks.
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