Cascade Pass & Sahale Arm
North Cascades, WA
Elevation Profile
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Waypoints
Cascade Pass Trailhead
Road ends here after the long Cascade River Road approach. 3.7 miles to the pass.
2,848 ft
Cascade Pass
Historic Native American travel route across the Cascades. Views of Pelton Peak and Magic Mountain.
5,394 ft
Sahale Arm High Point
Top of the arm. Glacier views. Backcountry campers can continue to Sahale Glacier Camp.
7,598 ft
Route Details
Distance
11.2 mi
Elevation Gain
5,000 ft
Elevation Loss
5,000 ft
Max Elevation
7,598 ft
Estimated Days
1
Trailhead
Cascade Pass Trailhead
Best Season
Road opens mid-June. Snow on Sahale Arm through July. Best wildflowers in July. Fall color in October.
About This Route
Cascade Pass is one of the most spectacular day hikes in the North Cascades, rising through old-growth forest to a flower-filled alpine pass at 5,392 feet with dramatic views of glaciated peaks. The optional extension up Sahale Arm adds 1,600 feet more to a rocky ridge with views of the Cascade Glacier. The 3.7-mile trail to Cascade Pass gains 1,800 feet through dense fir and hemlocks before breaking out above treeline near the pass. The meadows around the pass are carpeted with wildflowers in July—lupine, paintbrush, and aster in vivid color against grey granite and white glacier ice. From Cascade Pass, the Sahale Arm trail continues up a steep spine with no shade and no water. The arm culminates at 7,600 feet with views that include Boston Peak, Buckner Mountain, and the intricate crevasse systems of the Quien Sabe Glacier. The area sees significant snow through mid-July and the road to the trailhead doesn't open until snowpack melts, typically mid-June. Bears and marmots are common. The remote location (Cascade River Road from Marblemount) means limited cell service and self-reliance is essential.
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