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Cascade Pass & Sahale Arm

Trip

Backpack - Horseshoe Basin via Cascade Pass

In this two night, three day backpack, we'll hike 3.3 miles to Cascade Pass, take a side trip between 1.2 to 3 miles round trip for views of Sahale Mountain and possibly Boston Basin, if we're up to it. We'll then descend 5 miles and 2,500' to Horeshoe Basin, where we'll camp. The second day, we'll take an easy stroll into the basin, gaze at numerous waterfalls and spend a second night back at camp. On day three, we'll hike back seven miles over Cascade Pass to our cars. Total mileage ranges from 17-20 miles with up to 6,000' of gain and loss.

Contacts

Michele Ritala
Michele Ritala
Primary Leader
  • Strenuous, Very Strenuous
  • Challenging
  • Mileage: 17.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 7,000 ft
  • High Point Elevation: 6,800 ft

I have reserved a car camp site the night before (Thursday, Aug. 1) at Mineral Park off the Cascade River Road a few miles from the trail head and participants are welcome to join me.  If you're driving directly, we'll meet at the trail head at 9:00 a.m. Be aware this trip starts on a Friday and it will take at least 3 hours to drive from Seattle not including commuter traffic so you will need to leave very early to be at the trail head on time. I will leave from Renton Thursday afternoon at 2:00 to pick up the permit and proceed to the car camp.

This is a very strenuous hike. Please don't sign up for this if you haven't recently done hikes of a similar magnitude of elevation gain.  The second day will be relatively easy so we'll have a chance to rest a bit between the first and third days.  

The side trip to Sahale Arm on day 1 will depend on how the group is feeling and visibility. Views of Sahale Mountain can be seen with just .6 mile of hiking, so we may decide to turn around there. We will not hike all the way to Sahale Glacier.

Route/Place

Cascade Pass & Sahale Arm

Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

The Ten Essentials plus overnight gear which may include:

  • Tent with footprint/ground tarp
  • Stove and fuel
  • Sleeping bag
  • Sleeping pad
  • Water filter
  • Bear canister or extra stuff sack and cord designated for hanging food
  • Cooking pot/pan with plate and utensils
  • Toilet paper and shovel or blue bag to deal with waste
Trip Reports