Cascade Pass and Sahale Glacier
Guided Backpacking Trips
3/4 Days, 2/3 Nights 17+MI / 27+KM
Trip Highlights
This trip showcases the best of the North Cascades: rugged, steep, and breathtaking mountains. Over three days, our route leads us through stunning valleys to a series of sub-alpine basins, offering dramatic views of jagged peaks and ancient glaciers. Along the way, we’ll enjoy pristine meadows, abundant wild huckleberries, and rich wildlife habitats.
Our hike begins with a steep ascent up beautiful Cascade Pass, then descends into a pristine creek where we’ll set up camp for 2 nights. From our basecamp, we’ll explore this profoundly stunning area on day hikes. The highlight of the trip is a trek to the prominent Sahale Glacier, where we’ll enjoy dramatic views at 7,600 feet, having lunch surrounded by peaks stretching as far as the eye can see.
On our final day, we’ll descend once more over Cascade Pass, returning to our vehicle with a fresh perspective on the scenery, showcasing views we didn’t see on Day 1. This 3 day exploration promises to deliver some of the most dramatic vistas the North Cascades have to offer, making it a truly world-class mountain trek.
For a 4-day variation of this trip, check out: Valleys and Glaciers of the North Cascades.
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Breathtaking Views
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Amazing Sahale Glacier
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Backcountry Basecamp
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Lush Pacific NW Forests
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Pristine Creeks & Rivers
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Fascinating Natural & Cultural History
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Trip Details
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Trip Type
Guided Backpacking Trips -
Trip Length
3/4 Days, 2/3 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
5-7 mi -
Group Size
1-7 Guests
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Is This Trip Right For me?
This trip follows mostly well maintained trails, but with some very steep sections. We spend 2 nights at the same camp, which means our toughest hiking days are with lighter daypacks. Overall it has significant elevation gains/losses on steep trails. There are also sections with moderate heights exposure.
Difficulty Level
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Solitude Level
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Trip Itinerary
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
Day 1
Drive time: ~3.5 hours
Trailhead: Cascade Pass TH
Hiking Distance: 4+ miles (7+ if road remains closed)
Elevation Gain: 1,700+ feet
Elevation Loss: 600+ feet
This multi-day hiking trip in North Cascades National Park begins with a pickup at your hotel in Seattle, followed by a scenic drive into the heart of the North Cascades. There are two possible trailheads, depending on whether the access road is open (it’s often closed due to landslides and avalanches). If the road is closed, we’ll enjoy a peaceful 3-mile hike along a narrow gravel road to the official trailhead. If it’s open, we’ll reach camp more quickly and have time for an extra day hike.
Regardless of the trailhead, we have significant elevation to gain, but we’ll tackle it switchback by switchback, gradually climbing out of the trees and earning spectacular views of the jagged peaks and glaciers around us. We’ll take a well-deserved break at the stunning Cascade Pass, soaking in the views and vibrant wildflowers before descending into a scenic basin near the headwaters of a prominent North Cascades river, where we’ll set up camp.
If the access road is open and time allows, we’ll leave camp for a beautiful day hike to a secondary valley filled with even more breathtaking scenery. After a big first day, we’ll cap off the evening with a delicious backcountry meal and one of the most beautiful night skies you’ve ever seen.
Day 2
Hiking Distance: 5-6 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,800 feet
Elevation Loss: 2,800 feet
Day 2 is all about climbing! Luckily, we’ll only need our day packs for this hike. We’ll leave camp early and head back towards Cascade Pass, bidding farewell to our nearby creek while keeping an eye out for bears and marmots along the way.
Once we reach the pass, we’ll turn north and continue climbing to the base of Sahale Glacier. This section offers some of the most stunning views of the hike, with dramatic vistas and overlooks of Sahale Glacier and Doubtful Lake. Black bears, marmots, ptarmigans, and other wildlife are commonly sighted here, so let’s keep our eyes peeled!
After a well-deserved break, we’ll enjoy a delicious picnic lunch with the breathtaking mountain landscapes as our backdrop. Refreshed, we’ll make our way back down one arm of the Sahale Glacier and return to camp, where we can unwind and soak in the beauty of our surroundings.
Day 3
Hiking Distance: 4+ miles (7+ if road remains closed)
Elevation Gain: 600 feet
Elevation Loss: 1740
Shuttle to Seattle: ~3.5 hours
On our final day, we’ll enjoy a leisurely start as we pack up camp after one last breakfast together. We’ll bid farewell to the basin and river that have been our home for the past couple days and retrace our steps back towards Cascade Pass one last time.
As we descend down the switchbacks, we’ll be treated to an abundance of dramatic new views, now facing the opposite direction from Day 1, keeping us entertained on our way down. We’ll say goodbye to the subalpine ecosystem as we drop back into the forest and make our way to our shuttle.
After the hike, we’ll hop in the car for the drive back to Seattle, where you can look forward to a refreshing shower and the comfort of a real bed after an unforgettable adventure!
Trip Dates
Click on a date to register. You can also click here to request new dates or book through customer service.
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What's Included
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Top-of-the-line tent, backcountry sleeping pad and multi-day backpack
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High quality, synthetic sleeping bag (professionally laundered after every use)
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Use of trekking poles
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All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
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Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
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Comprehensive, roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Seattle and back
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All entrance fees, permits and passes
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
What's Not Included
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Clothes, raingear, and footwear -
Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
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Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Accommodations
Backcountry Sleeping
TENT CAMPING
Sleeping on backpacking trips is in premier 1-person, 2-person or 4-person backcountry tents. Solo travelers, and anyone else who requests it, are issued single tents. Top-of-the-line self-inflating sleeping pads and synthetic-fill sleeping bags (professionally laundered after every trip) are also provided.
Backcountry Cuisine
FRESH & DELICIOUS
Meals from breakfast Day 1 through lunch the last day are fully included and prepared by your guide. We never use dehydrated backpacking meals, instead serving freshly prepared, delicious backcountry cuisine made with a variety of common and specialty ingredients that travel well in the wilderness.
Amazing Campsites
IN THE ACTION
Campsites vary by destination, trip and even by the individual day of a trip. However, you can expect to camp in beautiful areas that put you right in the action to make the most of your trekking adventure. We carefully design our itineraries with campsites in mind.
Trip Logistics & FAQs
Where Do We Meet?
Your guide will conduct a virtual orientation meeting (via conference call) at 5:00 PM the evening before your trip begins to review the packing list, communicate the first day’s logistics and answer any last minute questions you have. Your guide will give you the phone number for this call during the pre-trip contact approximately 10 days before your trip start date.
Early on the morning of Day 1 your guide will pick you up from your accommodations in Seattle, WA.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to Seattle
Seattle is one of the United States’ most convenient cities to travel to. SeaTac (Seattle-Tacoma) Airport is one of the most easily accessed destinations in the country. Many major cities in the United States and internationally offer direct flights into Seattle. Please stay at one of our recommended hotels (coming soon!), all of which have airport shuttles so you do not have to rent a vehicle.
Start/End Times
Your guide will inform you of the first day’s pick-up time. Generally, you can expect it to be between 5 and 8 am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions. We will drop you off at your hotel on the final day normally before 5 PM (this time is not guaranteed, as a variety of circumstances can influence our exact return time).
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
Reviews
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Sarah P.
2 years agoWish I could rate 10 stars
Just had an absolutely exceptional experience with Wildland Trekking and Jeremy as our guide. My friend and I joined a group to explore the Cascade Pass/Sahale Arm trail area. We backpacked for 3 days and 2 nights. Jeremy was always attentive to our safety and comfort level. He was kind and funny. Jeremy always checked on us and asked us if we needed anything. He was hands down one of my favorite guides I have had so far. He was so easy to hang out with and food planned and prepped some incredible camp food while we were on the trail that completely exceeded my expectations. Thanks for teaching us so much, and providing us the best trip of memories we will never forget. Can’t wait until our next trip with Wildland Trekking!
Marizol C
3 years agoExceptional
Where do I start, I have so much I want the world to know about our guide Daniel Wingert and my overall experience on my 1st of many treks. Our guide Daniel Wingert was exceptional, he was attentive, he was kind, he was knowledgeable, funny, caring, and VERY VERY patient, everyone in our group felt safe, like nothing bad could happen out there with him there by our side..I cannot imagine doing a trek here without him. He made sure we well fed, and let me tell you...we were fed so well, this dude is like super man. One thing I do think that needs to happen, and I don't know how this would even be done but, MAKE sure everyone is in a good physical shape for this trip...NO JOKE, going for daily walks around the block isn't going to cut it, you must be involved in some kind of vigorous fitness routine a few times a week, strength train, run, crossfit...anything to get yourself ready for this trek, it's not fair to the guide or the other members when someone cant handle it due to lack of physical endurance. I already have a saving plan to get ready for my next adventure...as long as I am assure it will be with Daniel.
Laurie B
3 years agoMost Rewarding and Enjoyable Experience
Daniel was the best of the best! He taught us so much about hiking and how to persevere through all of the different situations that we experienced during our hike. It was by far the most rewarding and enjoyable experience we have ever done. We could not have done it without our tour guide Daniel!
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