Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm — Monday, Aug. 7, 2000

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20

This was my first time to Cascade Pass and I don't know what took me so long to try this one. It was a gorgeous day to be out. All 22.3 miles of the so-called rough road are hardly rough. It's mostly gravel with very few potholes. The hike to Cascade Pass was very easy despite a ""difficult"" rating in a trail book. It's actually easier than Mt. Si. Only one blow down hardly worth mentioning. The trail is very well maintained and switchbacks gently through dense forest. Once at the Pass we decided to go up Sahale Arm to the glacier (which is not visible at the pass). Now this trail was hard! This section to the glacier gained 2200 feet in 2 miles. Not as well maintained but easy to follow, this trail is very steep in sections with loose rock. Continuing along the arm it gets easier. Just above the arm leading to the glacier the trail was very hard to follow but given you're above he tree line, it should be easy to find. Simply stay on the moraine. Views from the glacier are magnificent. Too many peaks to list here. But we did see smoke from a forest fire just below Trapper Peak. Coming down we saw the cairns indicating the trail. In all we encountered maybe four minute snow patches (ice axe NOT needed) and one blow-down between the parking lot and the glacier. However, the bugs are vicious and persistent. Bring plenty of water and bug juice.