Cascade Pass — Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022

Cascade Pass is a true PNW gem. The road there is washboard rough when it is unpaved, with a few classic PNW potholes in their earlier stages (not craters, but watch for them). I got to the parking lot at 8:15am. There were plenty of parking spots at that time. The smoke was terrible on the drive until back into Cascade Rd. The wind out of the east was gusting, which was pushing the smoke out of the mountain valley. At the top of the pass it was probably close to gusts of 20mph, with a steady 10-15mph wind. I was glad for my insulated layer and windbreaker. The trail is very dusty from the lack of rain. This trail switches on long east-west facing runs, putting the wind in your face one way and at your back the opposite. Peek-a-boo views at lower elevation open more and more as the trail climbs, and finally breaks above the tree line. Fall foliage is beautiful and brings great bright colors. The light cutting over the mountains early in the morning was gorgeous. The pass has large stones placed and is great for a break and snack, if a brisk one from the wind. Signs clearly point the way onto Stehekin. A lovely hike all around.