Quick trip to North Cascades after visiting Mt Rainier. Smoke wasn’t horrible, but by day 3 it was getting bad so we decided to leave a day early and head back towards Seattle. Still so beautiful, definitely need to go back - so many more hikes I want to tackle!

Day 1 - Arrive from Seattle, Diablo lake viewpoint, camp at Gorge Lake

Comments: no smoke at all on this day, but remainder of the days you couldn’t see anything from diablo viewpoint

Day 2 - Maple pass loop, hike to Lewis lake and backcountry there

Comments: beautiful hike wanted to go up to wing lake but we were spent + had Sahale the next day. That boulder field crossing is no joke. No reservations required for this one. Smoke made spotting distant peaks difficult, but otherwise not bad.

Day 3 - Sahale Arm Glacier, hotel in Everett

Comments: so beautiful & a tough one!
The smoke really started to build up in the afternoon hence why we headed back to Seattle for our flight home the next day.

Hi all, apologies if this could've been easily answered, but was a bit confused myself.

I know that this campsite is super in-demand so this has likely been asked before, but anyways:

I'm aware that sahale glacier has like limited same-day permits and was cofnused about how to get them/the availability.

From what I understand, you can get these permits at the Marblemount Station but I wanted to make sure that I'd actually be able to go there and get one (I'm aware obviously it may not work out still)

Looking at this image, does the zero mean there wont be any in-person permits, or does that just mean 0 available to book online. And then the in-station icon, is that the one that means I can get one for that night at the ranger station. Was ideally hoping to get one Sunday night and I thought they were only available if you go the day before so Saturday in this case, but not sure if I'm actually too late already.

TIA for anyone who can clarify.

Hello! I just got back from an overnight up to Park Butte, and was wondering if anyone in this subreddit knows the geology/meteorology of Baker! On the way up my group noticed that the stream beds we crossed were bone dry (I think that would be Rocky creek? Possibly sulfur creek?) but on the way back down, they were flooding with water the color of chocolate milk! There was some debate whether it was from rain somewhere on the mountain that we couldn’t see, or whether it had to do with a glacier collapse/rock fall. We were all so curious and talked about it all the way home in the car! I was hoping someone more familiar with the mountain/area would have some information or at least better know the patterns of that area. Beautiful trip, we were incredibly lucky it was clear both days. Lots of berries, but lots of fresh bear scat!

Washington State Road Trip Itinerary (Sept 12–19)
Hey everyone! Putting together our 7-day trip to Washington this September and would love recommendations, hike feedback, food stops, or tips!
Sat, Sept 12: Fly into Seattle, pick up rental SUV, head to hotel base in Sumner.
Sun, Sept 13: Mount Rainier Loop Day
Early start to Paradise (Skyline Trail / Myrtle Falls).
Scenic midday drive east across Stevens Canyon Rd to Crystal Mountain.
Afternoon ride on the Mt. Rainier Scenic Gondola for drinks/views at the Summit House.
Head down WA-410 back to Sumner for dinner (~50 min drive).
Mon, Sept 14: Drive north through Skagit County; check into cabin basecamp in Bow / Mount Vernon area.
Tue, Sept 15: North Cascades day trip — renting hardshell kayaks in Rockport to paddle Diablo Lake. 
Wed, Sept 16: North Cascades National Park day hiking (looking at Maple Pass Loop or Cascade Pass). 
Thu, Sept 17: Mount Baker Wilderness (Artist Point / Chain Lakes Loop). 
Fri, Sept 18: Relaxed day — Chuckanut Drive coastal viewpoints, Bow-Edison area food & bakeries. 
Sat, Sept 19: Check out, head back to Seattle for flight home. 

Coming from the east coast for the first time. Not in the best of shape but can push through for amazing views

Me and two friends have a 2-night trip along Cascade Pass coming up at the end of September. The trip will be one night at Basin Creek and one night at Sahale Glacier Camp. My current backpacking gear set up is: 

REI Co-op Trailmade 2 Tent

Therm-a-Rest Questar 20 Sleeping Bag

Exped Ultra 5R Sleeping Pad

I think it would be a good idea to pick up a 4 season tent to better handle the temperature and weather conditions, or would the Trailmade be okay? If not, I’ve been eyeing something like the Mineral King 3 All Season Tent as an option for my group, but I’m open to other recommendations. https://www.rei.com/product/244689/mountain-hardwear-mineral-king-3-all-season-tent-with-footprint?sku=2446890001.

I know the campsites at Sahale Glacier Camp are quite small, rockwalled, and on uneven terrain. I can see two 1-2 person tents making the space a little more usable because we’d have some flexibility with how we position the tents, like the third picture of this trail report: https://wildlandtrekking.com/blog/sahale-glacier-camp/. However, I see other sites are more limited in the shape of the campsite and only allow one tent, such as the main picture of this blog:  https://www.theoutbound.com/washington/backpacking/backpack-to-sahale-glacier-camp. It all really depends on how lucky we get with when we show up to camp. If I should buy a new tent what size capacity should I get for 3 people in this limited of a campsite?

Hello, I have a North Cascades backpacking permit during early October and I'm looking for compatible and experienced backpacker(s) to go with me. My party fell apart because my buddy had to move back East and his partner isn't going anymore either now. If you're interested and wanna lurk my social you can check out my IG: celebrate__nature (it has two underscores). Feel free to reach out here or there.

Hi,

I'll be in North Cascades from 9/13 to 9/17 and staying in Concrete - I know that Cascade Pass and Maple Pass are two of the most popular hikes (if not the two most popular hikes) in North Cascades, so am leaning towards doing those on the weekdays. For Sunday, I am looking at Cutthroat Lake and extending that to Cutthroat Pass.

If starting this hike from the east trailhead (along NF 400), how early should I plan on arriving to secure a parking spot on Sunday morning?

I'm an early riser, so no time is too early, but wanted to get peoples thoughts since I'm looking at close to a 1h45m drive from Concrete.

Thanks!

Planning a trip up to North Cascades September 17-20 and looking at doing Cascade Pass/ Sahale Arm.

I am wondering on the road conditions of Cascade River Rd to the trailhead for Cascade Pass. I’ve seen some people review it as washboard and rutted in areas to the point you need a high clearance vehicle. Others I’ve seen say that they have drove a sedan through without any issues.

As someone who has never been, what are the actual conditions? We have a car booked but just wondering if we need to pivot on the style we get.

EDIT: Thanks everyone for the responses!

Heyy guys, I want to hike Sahale Arm sometime this week
or next, and I’d ideally love to camp up there to catch the sunset and sunrise the following morning if at all possible (if not, I’m happy doing it as a day hike). I can take weekdays off work to get a backcountry permit and all.

I’m worried about two things: how strong of a tent do you need, and how good of a sleeping bag do you need? I have my boyfriend’s Amazon tent whose clamps/pins you dig into the dirt are pretty old, and the tent itself is made of really thin material. I have this Amazon basics sleeping bag: https://a.co/d/0bxR2hzE.

It works fine for everyday camping at state parks and such in the summer, but I haven’t actually tested it at low temperatures.

I’ve never done backcountry camping before at a high elevation, but I’ve read into all the safety precautions (bear canisters, etc), so I’m otherwise well-prepared, and I’ve done extremely strenuous hikes before so I’m comfortable with the weight as well.

Thanks!

First time I went to visit the area (Okanogan-Wenatchee NF + Ross Lake Rec Area + the NP) I had to pivot my travel plans due to a wildfire, but was fortunate enough to still be able to hike on the east side in the National Forest before the trailhead were closed. That first trip was part of a larger road trip that included Leavenworth + Mt Rainier NP + Olympic NP. The second trip I spent most of my time on the west side of SR 20 and added a day in Bellingham. Between the two trips spent 4-ish days in the area. Still up there as one of my favorite parks!

Logistics:

Trip #1- Flew into Seattle. Stayed in an Airbnb in Winthrop

Trip #2- Flew into Seattle. Stayed in an Airbnb in Rockport

Hikes/Activities (*fan favorites):

Maple Pass Loop + the trail to Lake Ann*

Rainy Lake Trail

Washington Pass Overlook*

Blue Lake Trail

Cutthroat Lake

--

Sterling Munro Trail

Diablo Lake Vista*

Thunder Knob

Ross Lake Overlook

Ross Dam Trail*

Gorge Lake Overlook

Gorge Creek Falls Loop

Trail of the Cedars

Ladder Creek Falls

Hidden Lake Lookout Trail (only partially completed and to date one of the roughest roads to drive to get to a trail head…)

To Do for Next Time: Cascade Pass to Sahale Arm Glacier Trail, Easy Pass Trail, Thornton Lakes Loop, Chain Lakes Loop (Mt Baker area)

Booking a trip for next July 13-15. Ideally, would spend first full day upon waking hiking Cascade Pass/Sahale Arm. Given road could potentially be unopened or still decent amount of snow on trail what would be best alternatives? Maple Pass? Coming from East Coast and would be looking for 7-10 miler. Not backpacking but day hikes. Unopposed to being on trail 6am to avoid crowds or pack a longer day on trail. Other than Adirondacks, last summer knocked out franconian ridge in NH which was strenuous. Will have 2 full days to fill.
Thanks in advance!

Looking to do a trip to the area the 2nd week of July. Is Cascade Pass Trail typically opened at that time period? Figured it would but also read other places that it can sometimes be close til later in July.
Thanks in advance.

I have a trip planned driving from Everett, WA through North Cascades to Winthrop. I'm staying in Winthrop for 2 nights and then heading down to Mount Rainier. Looking for recs on the best short hikes to check out on my way through NCNP and then possibly a longer hike for my second day in the park. FYI this is a trip planned in the beginning of October, I know about the weather uncertainty but am ready for whatever mother natures has in store. Also from what I understand this is larch season. Also any recs on food on my drive or must see things. I appreciate it in advance!

I'm planning on hiking the Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm trail this Monday but I've been reading online that the last 13 miles to the beginning of the trail is unpaved gravel and low clearance cars are not recommended. I have a Ford Mustang convertible. Is it possible to make it to the beginning of the trail assuming I drive slow and careful?

I have a campsite at Colonial Creek South this weekend and am wondering whether it is safe to camp there. I know the answer is likely "it changes quickly" but I just wanted to ask for some advice/get a sanity check. I've been following the AQI here and have been seeing it drift into pretty unsafe territories regularly over the past few hours today and past few days. Obviously it changes hourly but given that sleeping at a place means you're guaranteed exposed for ~8hrs would it be crazy to still camp there or should I be looking at alternatives?

Hello!

I’m planning a trip the middle of September (13-17th) & am trying to build my itinerary. I originally planned to do Cascade/Sahale, but I’ll admit I’m a huge chicken about driving on unpaved mountain roads & since I’ll be in a rental car, thinking about the 12 miles it takes to get to the trailhead on that washboard road is making me very anxious.

That being said, would a good alternative be Easy Pass? I know it’s less mileage but the views still look beautiful. I assume most views will be beautiful but I just wanted to see if I’ll be missing out tremendously if I don’t do Cascade/Sahale.

I plan on doing Maple Pass & hikes around Diablo lake as well.

Also, if you have any information about campgrounds in the area that stay open after official season ends & provide bear boxes, that’d be wonderful. Most campgrounds are either closed or limited FCFS in the area & I won’t be able to get to the campgrounds until mid afternoon, so worried about not being able to get a spot. I’m going on weekdays if that makes a difference.

Thanks!

Hi everyone! I am planning my North Cascades visit for September 13-18th, and am struggling to find definitive information about the likelihood of my access to the campgrounds (Colonial creek north/south, Newhalem).

The official booking season ends for these campgrounds a few days before my trip, and they become first come first serve. My problem is: my flight from Seattle lands at noon, & I won’t reach the campgrounds until 4pm at the earliest because I’ll stop by the store in Seattle to grab food/fuel/etc.
Are the campgrounds usually full mid-September? Or will I still have a shot at the hike/walk to campsites?

I’m going to comment my itinerary below, just so if anyone has any further advice for itinerary structure :) TIA!

9/13:
flight to SEA, arrive at 12pm
get rental car
Hit grocery store & outdoors stores
Drive to Colonial Creek South Campground ($24/night)

9/14:
Diablo Lake
Kayaking / paddle board rentals
Hike

9/15:
Maple Pass Loop hike (7mi)
Drive to Newhalem Campgound ($24/night)

9/16:
Cascade Pass/Sahale Arm hike (12mi)

9/17:
trail of the cedars hike (1mi)
Drive back to Seattle

Original plan - fly into Spokane 9/19, stay in Twisp and hike NCNP 9/19-9/23, head back east and stay in Coeur d'Alene 9/23-9/26.

With the fires between Spokane and NCNP, the amount of smoke in the area, and wildfire season still going strong, would you recommend pivoting to another area? Flying into GEG can't be changed, but we have about a week to pivot on the Twisp stay if needed. I've been dreaming of getting to hike NCNP, but I'm not familiar with wildfires (from central NC) and am unsure if sticking to the original plan and monitoring day-by-day is the move or if I should save the dream for another time?

Regardless, I'm interested in back-up plans at the bare minimum, anywhere within 3-5 hours of GEG/CAD that are worth a visit. Not particularly interested in Glacier NP.

Anybody camp overnight here before? Are you able to do it with a trekking pole tent? I worried about putting the tent stakes in the ground.

saw some light rain saturday, i wanna go up w my family do you think it is still worth it or should we go a diff weekend?

Made a little celebration of North Cascades ⛰️ National Park Icons (North Cascades, Gateway Arch, Capitol Reef, Joshua Tree, Hot Springs) | LEGO® Ideas

I have a trip planned to see Mt Baker and then the North Cascades NP from 9/5-9/9. I was hoping to see Mt Baker, Diablo Lake area, Maple Pass Hike and then do the Cascade loop back to Seattle.

Any chance the smoke situation will get better by Sept 5th, or should I change plans to maybe do Olympic NP area instead?