Absolutely Beautiful!

 Even the drive getting there is beautiful.  The views from the Cascade River Road get more impressive each mile as you approach the Cascade Pass parking lot.  Incredible views of Johannesburg Mountain, Cascade Peak and The Triplets can be enjoyed while you are lacing up your boots for the hike to Cascade Pass.

The first 2.5 miles of the trail are wooded with switch backs that will climb 1,400 feet in elevation.  After that, get your camera ready.  As you hike the next 1.2 miles to Cascade Pass, some of the most incredible scenery in the North Cascades will be revealed around every corner. 

The Cascade Pass area is very well developed with a viewing area and a toilet.  The Park Service needs to be commended for the nice job of keeping this area beautiful.  Many people make Cascade Pass their destination and turn around here.

For even more incredible views, continue beyond Cascade Pass to Sahale Arm.  The trail to Sahale Arm is approximately 50 yards past the Cascade Pass viewing area.  The trail is marked with a marker that simply points the way to Sahale Arm or the trail to Stehekin. 

The trail to Sahale Arm will start out as steep and rocky.  However, it will level out and be quite enjoyable after you reach the ridge above Doubtful Lake.  The trail will begin the long ascent to Sahale Glacier when you reach the foot of Sahale Arm.   

If you are feeling really energetic, the trip through Sahale Arm to Sahale Glacier is strenuous but absolutely worth it.  The trail gets very sketchy the last half mile to the glacier.  Route finding and rock scramble skills are required.

There are a few camp sites available at the foot of the glacier.  They are flat areas on glacier rock with windbreaks of rocks around them.  There is seasonal running water from the glacier but be prepared to melt glacier ice for water.

Round trip to the base of the glacier is 11.4 miles with 4,200 feet elevation gain.  Round trip to Cascade Pass is 7.4 miles with 1,800 feet elevation gain. Other destinations from the Cascade Pass trailhead are; Basin Creek 7.0 miles, Cottonwood 8.9 miles and Stehekin 31.9 miles.