Cascade Pass/Sahale Arm

 We headed up to the end of the Cascade River Road in North Cascades National Park to hike up to Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm a 12+ mile round trip hike with 4,000 ft of gain. We did about 11.8 miles round trip with 3,600 ft of gain.
View of Cascade Pass from the parking area. The trail starts over on the left side of the parking area.



The first 2.7 miles of trail is switchbacks going up through the forest gaining about 1,500 ft.

 The trail then continues gently up along an open slope with fabulous views of Johannesburg Mountain.

 There was still a bit of nice fall color along the trail and we saw several fat pikas preparing for winter.

 This  mile section of the trail leading to Cascade Pass was gorgeous, with views of a glacier to the northwest.












Pano to the west from near Cascade Pass

 looking east from Cascade Pass

 From Cascade Pass the trail climbs up this ridge gaining 700 ft in 3/4 mile. The trail crosses a couple of scree fields, but it is mostly a nice dirt trail.

 There were nice meadows of fall color here

 Some views of Cascade Pass as we continue hiking up above the pass

 First view of Sahale Mountain as we near the top of this ridge. Sahale Arm is the wide glacier seen near the top of the mountain in this photo

 View to the east of the Stehekin Valley












Pano of Sahale Mountain and Doubtful Lake:

 The trail to Sahale Arm continues up to the left and out along the long ridge on the left before heading up to the glacier.

 Pano of Sahale Mountain, Doubtful Lake and nearby peaks in the North Cascades towards the east

 looking back towards Johannesburg Mountain to the southwest

 other peaks to the southeast

 View of Sahale Mountain from where we took a break, the trial goes up and up from here.

 gorgeous view looking westward, the trailhead where we started is far down in the valley below

 Wonderful views all around, (looking back down the trail)

 starting to see Mt Baker to the northwest













The last section of the trail is up a steep slope with lots of loose rocks. A bit better view of Mt Baker

 Sahale Arm is at that next ridge. We were getting tired, the loose rocks on a very steep slope were making me nervous and as we had reached our agreed turn around time we made the decision to stop at 7,200 ft

This was a beautiful spot to take in the views, Doubtful Lake below










Panorama from 7,200 ft on Sahale Mountain looking south: gorgeous!!!

 The views were as spectacular to enjoy on the hike back down as they were going up.

 looking back towards Sahale Mountain, I hope to come back next year when there is more daylight and go up higher to Sahale Glacier

 heading back down to Cascade Pass,

 the colors are more intense in the late afternoon sun

mountain views at Cascade Pass in the late afternoon