Cascade Pass/Sahale Arm (Sahale Glacier Camp) - N. Cascades, WA

July 14, 2016

Welcome to a JURASSIC WORLD! Seriously, that was my reaction when I drove into the parking lot and the breathtaking landscape and scenery appeared before me....totally "jaw-dropping"! I had read and heard Cascade Pass hike is one of the top rated and must do hikes of N. Cascades, and now I believe it....I was totally blown away! With the trail moderately graded to reach the pass (3.7 miles/1,800' gain), this hike offers the whole nine yards....spectacular views of peaks and glaciers, waterfalls, lakes, wildflowers, wildlife and options for backcountry hikes and camping along with frontier history. I saw many different kinds of wildlife in this hike....marmots, pikas, chipmunks, deer, mountain goat and wild birds. If you pick one hike to do in N. Cascades, this is it! Beyond description. Period.

Road condition
From SR 20 at Marblemount, drive Cascade River Road for 23 miles to trailhead. The road is in good condition. You can see some major restoration works were done after a series of washout. The first half of the road is paved and the second half is dirt/gravel/washboard. The road gets narrow and has potholes for the last 6 miles, so pay attention as you go. Trailhead has a large parking lot with restroom.

Trail condition
Trail is in great shape in spite of heavy use. It has some wet and muddy spots here and there, but no major issue. However, if you hike in sneakers, chances are your feet may get wet. There are a couple of snow fields to cross near Cascade Pass. One of them is about 100' long on the steep gully. You can follow the boot tracks, but the snow could get slushy and slippery. I found my hiking poles helpful to balance. On the way to Doubtful Lake/Sahale Glacier Camp, there are a few snow fields (10' - 20' long) to traverse and some of them are forming a snow bridge with water running underneath. So, use caution when you cross. Trail/snow condition included in the short video below.

Cascade Pass
Trailhead's large parking lot fills up fast as this is a very popular destination for hiking, camping and backpacking. Even it was Thursday, the lot was pretty full when I arrived after 12/noon....and I saw more cars arriving. The trail ascends gently for the first 1/2 mile and then moderately steep grade begins to climb steadily with switchbacks through the forest. I liked the sound of waterfalls and streams keeping a good company all along. After 2 miles in, the views open up as the treeline thins out. Now you are looking at the same breathtaking vista from a higher vantage point. Stunning! At 3 miles, the trail levels out through meadows. Wildflowers are blooming! And the views of the jagged mountains get even better as you go. After the meadows, the trail comes along the hillside (scree) partially covered with snow. The snow field to cross is about 100' long and you can follow boot tracks. It may get slushy/slippery, so just use caution.

Take in the grand vistas from Cascade Pass. The pass is a gateway to connect different paths traveling in all directions. Frontier traders used to use the pass in the past, and today hikers and backpackers (....and wildlife, too!). Views to north and west are the ragged Cascade range as you see along the hike. Facing southeast is looking towards Stehekin over 30 miles away from the pass which is a remote community only accessible on foot, by ferry or seaplane. In fact, I was in Stehekin 2 weeks ago and had a great hike there. Looking east, you can see a trail going up towards Sahale Arm.

Sahale Arm (Sahale Glacier Camp)
You have a few options for hiking from the pass. You can turn around and head back to the parking lot, or you can venture towards Stehekin, or continue another 2 miles/2,100' gain to reach Sahale Glacier Camp. My goal was to hike up to Sahale Glacier, so I took that route from the pass.

From the pass, follow the trail sign which says Stehekin. Soon you come to another sign/intersecion which says Sahale Arm/Stehekin. Go left/Sahale Arm at the post. The trail to Sahale Arm gets steep and rocky once you leave Cascade Pass. Some snow fields are en route, but not hard to cross. Just use caution to traverse the snow field forming a snow bridge. There are wet and muddy spots along the trail, but no biggie.....keep "minimum impact" in mind, however, if you have to veer around. As the trail climbs steadily with switchbacks, the views get better and better....WOW! You can see Cascade Pass down below with the great wall of all the jagged mountain peaks facing you.

Trekking up the hillside for one mile from the pass, you come to the trail sign of Doubtful Lake. I took a quick look at the lake from above, and continued on the journey towards Sahale Arm. The trail leads you on to the saddle stretching up to Sahale. It's beautiful green meadows with wildflowers.....and also it's a haven for marmots! There are so many marmots on the meadows. I lost counts how many marmots I saw! They surprised me as I surprised them!? After passing the meadows, the trail gets steeper and the scree rockier for the last 1/2 or so. At one point, the trail disappears and gets a little sketchy due to scree/loose rocks covering over trail, but there are cairns to guide you to stay on track.

Enjoy the views from Sahale Glacier Camp! Splendid! Another WOW moment (how many wows so far?) At 7,600 elevation, you have sweeping vistas of N. Cascades range and beyond as far as you can see....and Sahale Arm looms over you across the glacier. Johannesburg Mountain, Cascade Peak, Magic Mountain, Trapper Mountain, Glory Mountain, Eldorado Peak, Forbidden Peak, Mount Formidable, Spider Mountain, LeConte Mountain.....these are the names of the peaks I just learned with this hike. McGregor Mountain near Stehekin was also seen in the southern skyline. And, guess who came to greet me out of the blue? Wow, mountain goat! Five of them....they looked like a family(?) because I noticed a baby goat with them.

There are many beautiful hikes in N. Cascades. If I were asked to pick one best hike among of all, Cascade Pass/Sahale Arm would be the one no doubt. Put this hike on your hiking list if you haven't hiked it yet. You'll be blown away! I highly recommend this hike with lots of WOWs. Happy hiking! :)

Green Mountain - N. Cascades, WA

 

Wildflowers galore! All sorts of wildflowers are blooming along the green meadows in this hike and I've never seen so many tiger lilies all over. And, yes, indeed, Green Mountain is so GREEN!! The name of the mountain speaks for itself.

What a beautiful hike! Is Green Mountain sort of like a hidden gem? I am not sure how popular or well known this hike is, but it is GORGEOUS!....from wildflowers/creeks/tarns/meadows to sweeping mountain views of N. Cascades/Glacier Peak/Mt. Baker ranges in all directions including as far as the Puget Sound. I am so glad I found this hike thanks to WTA's trip description and recent trip reports. The lookout, built in 1933, still exists on top of Green Mountain. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places and restoration is ongoing. When you see jaw-dropping 360 panorama from the summit and understand the terrains of the groups of the surrounding peaks, ranges and geography, it makes sense why the lookout was built on top of Green Mountain.

Road condition
FR 26 (Suiattle River Road) is in great condition. From SR 530, follow FR 26 about 20 miles to FR 2680. The first half of FR 26 is paved and the second half is dirt/gravel (it looks and feels like paved, however). From FR 26, drive FR 2680 about 6 miles to trailhead. FR 2680 is a narrow and rough road (bumpy and rocky), but not too bad. My 4 door sedan could handle it with no problem. Just go slow and take it easy. Road condition included in the short video clip below.

Green Mountain Trail
The trail climbs gently through the old growth of the timberline for the first 1/2 mile or so, and then gets moderately steep until the view opens up at 1 mile and you come into green meadows on the slope of the mountain. Wow, it's so GREEN!....it's like a thick green velvet covering the mountain. The meadows are alive with so many wildflowers you can imagine along the trail. They are also quite entertaining with different varieties, colors and smells....never monotonous! Particularly, I really enjoyed tiger lilies because I've never seen that many tiger lilies bursting all over. By the way, part of the trail through the meadows gets brushy with waist high vegetation, so wearing long pants may be recommended if you are one of those who don't like to be brushed by plants.

After ascending the green meadows filled with wildflowers, at 2.5 miles you descend to a little valley and the trail passes a tarn and crosses a creek. There is a big blowdown blocking the trail soon after the tarn, but you can cross over it by veering to right or left. After that, you come to vast open meadows surrounded by green mountains...wow! From there you can see Green Mountain's summit and spot the lookout standing on the top. In the meadows I noticed glacier lilies were just about to bloom soon.....budding.

The last mile to the top is quite steep with switchbacks. There are some snow patches, but they are small and easy to cross. Pace yourself and enjoy the views as you ascend. Yesterday the air was cool with a gentle breeze, so, luckily, heat or sweat didn't become an issue. Make sure to stay hydrated if you trek this steep section on a warm sunny day. Sunscreen and hat will be also handy.

Take in the jaw-dropping views from the top. Green Mountain is so GREEN! You have breathtaking sweeping vistas in all directions....N. Casacdes, Mt. Baker, Glacier Peak, and all other peaks near and far, and to the west is the Puget Sound! It was interesting to be able to see those local peaks along the Mountain Loop HWY side by side....Pilchuck, White Horse, Three Fingers, Pugh, Big Four, Dickerman and others. The outlook is closed, but you can enjoy views from the deck. It is amazing to see the old structure still standing proudly on top of the peak since 1933.

Green Mountain is one of the loveliest hikes I found in the N. Cascades. I am very glad I hiked when it is GREEN! Go soon if you want to see the "green" mountain in bursting wildflowers....and pick a clear day for spectacular views from the top. Happy hiking!

Pinnacle Peak/The Castle - Mt. Rainier, WA

June 30, 2016

Two thumbs up! Amazing hike. In just a little over 1 mile/1000' gain, this hike offers sweeping vistas of breathtaking mountains, green valley, lakes, wildlife and the towering peaks of Tatoosh range - Pinnacle Peak, the Castle, Plummer Peak, Denman Peak, Unicorn Peak....and more beyond near and far....plus, great workout. You may say, "really?" And, my answer is YES!!

I always wondered if there was a way to hike up to those peaks sticking out on Tatoosh range seen from Paradise. To me, they always remind me of Gothic cathedrals visually. Last month when I hiked to Unicorn Peak, someone told me there is a short and easy trail to Pinnacle saddle. Since then, I put Pinnacle saddle on my hiking list. When I read the recent trip report on the hike describing the route is snow free and in good condition, my spirit said "let's go!"

Pinnacle Saddle
Trailhead is located right by Reflection Lakes across Stevens Canyon Road. Follow the trail sign which says Pinnacle Peak Trail. The trail starts with a gentle grade and soon climbs steadily. Snow along the trail is almost all gone and there are some small patches left here and there. Glacier lilies are abundantly blooming now in lower elevations and will be bursting all over pretty soon. The trail is in excellent condition, but partially a little wet, which is normal this time of the season as snow is still melting. There is a couple of long stretches of snow still standing en route in about between 0.5 - 1 mile from trailhead. But, they are not hard to cross as the snow is firm and not slippery, and boot tracks are solid. There are a few gullies to traverse en route, and they have some snow, but no problem to cross. One of the gullies has snow and scree (loose rocks) on the path and it was a little tricky as the scree created loose traction. So, pay attention as you proceed.

In 1.3 miles, you reach Pinnacle saddle....the portal to many amazing views and hikes! The trail sign says "End of maintained trail." Wow, where is the amazing views?" Mt. Rainier? Pinnacle Peak? Unfortunately, clouds were forming when I started the hike and by the time when I reached the saddle, it was totally shrouded in the clouds! Darn it....no views?...you've gotta be kidding!? I stepped over to the other side (south) of the saddle.... Mt. Adams was faintly visible through the clouds. But, wait....I could slightly see some blue skies to the east through the clouds!

Pinnacle Peak/the Castle
You have a couple of options for hiking from the saddle. Climbers routes run from the saddle....going right (west) for Plummer Peak and going left (east) for Pinnacle Peak and the Castle. Because I saw some blue skies to the east, I decided to take the trail to east and hike toward Pinnacle Peak/the Castle.

Bingo! The view gradually opened up in blue skies as I came out of the shroud of the clouds. Wow, amazing vistas before my eyes!....the Castle, Mt. Adams, Denman Peak, Plummer Peak, green meadow and valley (Butter Creek Research Natural Area) down below, wildflowers....and Pinnacle Peak looms right beside! In fact, the clouds shrouding part of the valley and surrounding peaks created a mystic beauty of austerity....adversity became advantage.

The climbers route to Pinnacle Peak/the Castle is not too bad. It's dirt, scree and rocks with a little up and down and over all in good shape. There are a couple of sketchy sections en route, but not hard to figure out the way. In about 1/3 mile from the saddle, you come to the point where you may need to decide....either ascend the scree slope to the ridge between Pinnacle and the Castle, or continue the trek toward the Castle, or turn around. It looks there are several different routes and options to choose from there, based on what you aim for with Pinnacle Peak and the Castle. Assessing my capability (I am NOT a rock climber or a hard core scrambler!) and visually evaluating visible traces of routes and other factors (grade, scree, rocks), I decided to climb straight up to a short ridge close to the west face of Pinnacle Peak, instead of hiking further toward the Castle. I was hoping for open vistas to north from the ridge. Ascending the steep route to the ridge was a little tricky due to loose scree, but manageable. A little scrambling near the ridge may be needed....I used my hands to grab the rocks. Overall, the route I took was secure and no serious climbing skills were necessary.

Take in the majestic view of Mt. Rainier! It's the best view of Rainier I've seen among all my Rainer hikes so far. The sea of clouds added a magical beauty no doubt. It gave me goose bumps all over. No joke! Pinnacle Peak looms right beside me and the Castle rises just to west from me. We juxtaposed all together there. Totally amazing. Beyond words. The view south was equally spectacular....Mt. Adams, Unicorn Peak, Denman Peak, Plummer Peak....and Mount St. Helens joined the skyline, too.

If you want amazing views for a short hike, I highly recommend the hike to Pinnacle saddle on a clear day. You can also explore part of climbers routes for additional adventures, either with Plummer Peak or Pinnacle Peak/the Castle. If you are a climber, you already know what you are looking for! I'd like to go back again to hike up to Plummer Peak next time.