Sahale Mountain

Sahale Mountain Over View: Located in the Heart of the North Cascades and is located in between the Cascade Valley and the Stehiken Valley. According to Google Earth, the Summit is 8701 feet above sea level. Sahale Peak is located in the Boston Basin area in the North Cascades. Boston Basin is very similar to the alps in terms of weather and quality of alpine climbing. The lower elevation, with peaks in the eight to nine thousand foot range does translate to weather conditions and a shorter climbing season. Sahale Peak is a fine alpine outing with an airy feel, moderate approach and an easy fourth class scramble to the summit with it awesome views of the North Cascades. To get to Sahale Arm, there is the most two common routes of which to get to the summit of Sahale, one is the Cascade Pass route which is a popular day hike, and the other one is the Bosten Basin Route.

The hike to Cascade Pass is 3.8 miles to the pass which has a easy difficulty 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.

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, avalanche danger is even at the trailhead so check for signs.

Cascade Pass: From the Parkinglot, you hike up a well maintained trail that switches back through woods, and in summer there are lots of horse flies. Be sure not to take short cuts! As you go up, through the trees you catch views of Cascade Peak and the Might Johannesburg. In winter it is much slower going up, but more beautfy to it. At about the half way point or slightly more than half way you get a small clearing were you can see the Cascade Valley, which is an incredible sight! In summer there are lots of flowers and bees at this point, and lots of butterflies if you come at just the right time (Septemberish). After this the hike becomes much easier with even more clearings and views of the Triplets come in view. By this point you are almost at the pass with a little more distance to go. Once you get to Cascade Pass, you are rewarded with great views of Magic Mountain and the Stehiken Valley. At the pass you can go strait which goes into the Stehiken Valley, take a right which goes up to the bottom of Mix Up Peak and the get a better view of Sahale Mountain and I believe is part of the Ptarmigan Treverse, and on your left is Sahale Arm which I most recommend.

Sahale Arm: This hike is about 2 extra miles from the pass 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. The hike first starts out switch backing up from Above Cascade Pass and not much more view is there, but be patient. Once you get to the top of the switch backs, then there is a not as hard part of the trail that has a few steps, and later opens up to were you can see the Sahale Arm, plus you can also see little Doubtful Lake, Sahale Mountain (Also known as Sahale Peak) and more of the Stehiken Valley comes in view. From here you have the option of going further up Sahale Arm, or you can desend down to Doubtful Lake which is about 5450 feet above sea level. I choose to go up Sahale Arm, and the views as you go up and up just get better and better. Once you get to the Mid point of Sahale Arm which is the last area of flat grounds before the Sahale Glacier, Cascade Valley comes into view again, and you can see all of Eldorado Peak, Bosten Basin, and the Forbidden Treverse. From here hike up the rest of Sahale Arm, and the trail becomes more and more faint, but pay attention once you get to the rock field part because you can become easily off trail which is'nt too big of a deal, but it becomes hard to travell up the rock field, and after going up the steep part of the trail, you then get to the top of Sahale's Arm. From Sahale Arm you can see Bonanza Peak, Mt. Formidible, Elderado Peak, Johannesburg, Triplets, Mix Up, Magic Mountain, and much more!

The Summit of Sahale Peak:The climb to Sahale Peak is only recommended if you are a true experienced Mountaineer. For those who can make it to the Summit are Well rewarded with a awesome 360 degree view of the North Cascades that extent from Glacier Peak to Baker to Mount Goode and much much more! This climb is best done in June-July, and can can be done June-October. Any other time of the year is very icy and avalanche dangers can be a problem in early season. I personally never been to the Summit of sahale, but from reading books, seeing photos and by making it to the Sahale Glacier, I am very sure what to expect. If attemping the summit, be sure to have an ice axe, and crampons for the Sahale glacier which you have to travell on to get to the summit for the easiest and most common route of Sahale Mountain, and it is said to be some what like a pyrimid to the summit.


Best time of Year to come: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.