Cascade Pass to Sahale Glacier Base Camp

Cascade Pass is a 3.6 hike, and Sahale Base Camp is 2.4 miles past that, roundtrip 12 miles, with 4000 ft of elevation gain and a highest point of 7570 ft. The trail head is at the very end of Cascade River road, you will know you are in the right place if you see towering mountains surrounding the parking lot, and hear countless glaciers cracking and tumbling. On the way, you will drive past the Lookout Mountain Lookout trail head, and the Hidden Lake road. The dirt road is around thirty miles, with potholes that can be avoided if careful. Low clearance vehicles can make it, I made it in a '95 Camry. From the trail head the trail switchbacks under the trees for three miles. At three miles, the trail breaks out into rock fields, and continues for another 0.6 of a mile before reaching Cascade Pass. Here, the trail is scattered. You can go straight thirty-something miles to Steheiken, or head left towards Sahale Peak. The switchbacks look out onto the valley below, and don't be surprised to see Marmots screaming and running around you. After .75 you reach a crest and enter beautiful heather meadows. Finally, there is a view of Doubtful Lake, and Sahale Peak and Glacier. This section of the hike looks like something out of a movie; rolling lush hills, green lakes, small tarns, families of mountain goats, jaw dropping mountain views, and blue glaciers. Continue upward until the meadow disappears and the trail turns to rocks. Soon, the wind is knocking you over, and the trail is only notable by cairns. The trail does not flatten out until you are standing at the base camp. Be aware that the last 50 feet sharp, loose scree and rock, which makes slipping easy. Eventually, the trail meets the wooden post which tells you, you made it! If the weather permits, walk around and explore the campsites with stacked rock walls to protect campers from the wind, or go to the bathroom on the toilet which sits at 7570 ft elevation. It was extremely cold at the top when we went, so bring gloves, jackets, pants, ect if the weather looks even slightly cold. Also, remember to pack out all your gear and garbage, we collected three bags of trash and gave it to a ranger at Cascade Pass to dispose of.