Cascade Pass — Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2002

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20

Cascade Pass is one of the great places of the North Cascades- however, many people know that- but you can lose them when you venture off of the beaten path. Doubtful Lake is one of those places. Hike up Sahale Arm one mile and 800 feet el. Find the trail junction- then lose that one mile and 800 feet el into a lonely and spectacular cirque. The trail is very primitive- but easy to follow. The drop is quick and steep. The lake sits below Sahale being fed by no less than a half-dozen cascades. Acres of ripening blueberry bushes grace the surrounding hillsides. This area has had quite abit of mining activity in its past. There is a very obvious tailings pile and shaft on the north side of the lake. The lake- ringed in willow and alder reminded me more of the Canadian Rockies than the North Cascades. Absolutely no one down here except us. You could see the Sahale Arm troops and the resident marmots peering down at you wondering what possesses a person to drop from site- check it out for yourself and you'll soon know.