Google Earth Community: Sahale Mountain

Located in the Heart of the North Cascades and is located in between the Cascade Valley and the Stehiken Valley. The hike is 3.8 miles to the pass which has a easy difficult unless you go in snow. Views at the Parking lot are good but when you go up to Cascade Pass, you are rewarded with some of the best scenery that Washington has to offer. Recommended June-October, any other time of the year it is snowy and can be considered dangerous to beginners If you go in winter. If you go here in winter, If your up for it, this place is a snow paradise and at night you can constantly hear the roar of avalanches off of Johannesburg Mountain which is just on the other side of the valley and is towering above you. Camping is not permited at the Parking lot and at the pass. There are camping areas just before arriving to the parking lot.
Remember to bring the 10 essentials and do not travel off trail! Not only is it bad for the trail and could harm the plants but I did this once and sure enough regreted doing so because we ended up on a diffrent trail that was cliffy and dangerous. If you stay on trail, this is a safe hike, just don't travel alone because of bears here. You can also hike beyond Cascade Pass to either Sahale Arm which is on your left, or you can go strait which travels down the Stehekin Valley and goes to lake Chelan, which is 31.7 miles from the Parking lot.

"Sahale Evening"

"Cascade Peak at sunrise as seen from the parkinglot."

Getting There from Seattle: Drive North on I-5 to Arlington at exit 208 onto highway 530. Turn left to highway 9 just for a few seconds then turn right to highway 530. Follow this road all the way to Darrington, take a left which stays on highway 530. Take this road north to Rockport, take a right to junction onto highway 20. Follow this road until you get to Marblemount, go strait to cross bridge which juntions onto the Cascade River Road. The trailhead to Cacades Pass is about 23 miles from MarbleMount. You can only drive up to mile marker 20 or 21 depending on snow level during this time of year. I have found this road closed even in June, because of the high levels of snow with the parkinglot barried in snow from an avalanche.

The views from the parkinglot alone are wonderful and in winter it is a magical place. Once I came here in November to spend the night at the trailhead (Which you are not supposed to) and had to hike in a few miles due to road closure. When night fall came, it is perhaps the most beautiful place i have ever seen, it was a full moon and the night around had been lit up by the moon and you can hear the roar of Johanasburg and you could literally say to yourself, am I in alsaka? But remember, avalnche danger is even at the trailhead so check for signs.

"Elderado Peak at Sunrise from the parking lot"

"Johannesburg Mountain at Sunrise from the parking lot"

"Mt. Torment taken at sunrise from the Cascade Pass Parkinglot"

"A misty Day looking at Johanesburg in June"

Once you hike up to Cascade Pass, you may want to consider going to Sahale Arm. This hike is about 5 miles to Sahale Arm View Point with wonderful Views of the North Cascades. Going a few miles after the pass is well worth going because much more views open up. From Sahale Arm you can see Bonanza Peak, Mt. Formidible, Elderado Peak, Johannesburg, Triplets, Mix Up, Magic Mountain, and much more! Recommended June-October, any other time of the year it is snowy and very dangerous and is not recommended. Remember that even in June that there is still lots of Snow on the trail so prepare for the worst.

"Doubtful Lake, Mt. Formidble, and Bonanza Peak taken from Sahale Arm."

"Triplets as seen from Sahale Arm."

"Looking South East from Sahale Glacier"

"Magic Mountain as the darkness comes"

"Hidden Lake Peaks at Sunset"

"Mix Up Peak in Evening"

"Mt. Baker from Sahale Arm"

"Bonanza Peak taken from Sahale Arm"

"Mt. Torment from Sahale Arm"

"Mt. Buckner, taken just above Cascade Pass while hiking up onto Sahale Arm"

"Elderado Peak During a Storm"

Once you get all the way to the Top of Sahale Arm, you are at the Sahale Glacier which is 5.7 miles away from the Trailhead and is at an elevation of 7,600 feet. The views here above Sahale Arm are even better! Now you can even see the top of Glacier Peak.

"The Approach to the Sahale Glacier"

"A Panoramic View of the North Cascades, Taken on September 1, 2007.

Best Viewed in Full Sized 7120x1015

Special Thanks to my brother Michael Lewis for taking some of these photos. To view more Photos or see them in higher resolution, go to http://www.panoramio.com/user/44683/tags/Cascade%20Pass

Edited by JoshLewis (03/18/08 08:06 PM)

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