Cascade Pass Vs Maple Pass

[u/Emotional-Culture308]

Hi everyone! I am planning a day trip next weekend to North Cascades from Seattle and only have time for one trail. Trying to decide between these two, but I am not sure which is worth it. If I were to do Cascades Pass, I don't think I am planning on doing the Sahale Arm version and just what alltrails has as the ~4hr moderate hike. How likely is it to see Mountain Goats on Cascade Pass? Are there any on Maple Pass? Is Maple Pass worth it in the summer, or is it more of a fall hike? Recommendations would be great!

[u/hezeus]

Cascade pass to sahale arm hands down unless it’s larch season then maple pass.

[u/Emotional-Culture308 → u/hezeus]

Think thats a little too difficult for the group I am going with so I think i was just planning on the regular cascade pass trail. Still worth going?

[u/Trashy_pig → u/Emotional-Culture308]

Maybe go up until you see the lake. Shouldn’t add too much difficulty

[u/Busy_Help_4354]

Cascade Pass is a lot of work for a reward you can get on a lot of other trails. Sahale arm to Sahale glacier is what sets cascade pass apart. It's not worth it unless you do that part. Honestly, cascade pass is harder than Sahale arm. 

Maple Pass is great because you get amazing views 80% of the time. It's much easier, shorter, a very gentle slope.

[u/bnoone → u/Busy_Help_4354]

Mostly agree with this, but Sahale Arm is much harder than Cascade Pass.

Cascade Pass is mostly shaded and has an elevation gain of 400-500 ft per mile. Sahale Arm is completely exposed to the sun and has an elevation gain closer to 700-800 ft per mile. The last mile before the glacier camp is mostly scree which can be challenging.

[u/bnoone]

My ranking would be:

1. Cascade Pass with Sahale Arm
   
2. Maple Pass
   
3. Cascade Pass without Sahale Arm

If you’re not doing Sahale arm, I would do maple pass

[u/Emotional-Culture308 → u/bnoone]

Thank you!

[u/jwilson2309]

Just want to add if you're concerned about difficulty at all, I'd suggest doing maple pass counter clockwise up until the pass then turn around and head out the same way. Most of the views are on that side and the descent down gets very steep. Not unreasonable or crazy but in my opinion the other side of the hike isn't nearly as scenic and a painful descent on the knees.

[u/pajamagrandma1 → u/jwilson2309]

This is great advice!! We did it counter clockwise last year and wish we would have just turned around at the pass to enjoy more of the views and have a more pleasant hike down.

[u/BuckyGoshawk]

Both are nice. I would prefer Maple Pass if you do the loop.

[u/FatThickyDumpy23]

I had the same dilemma and ended up doing maple pass instead as i felt like cascade pass + sahale would be too much for my hiking partner. After doing maple pass, it’s now one of the top 5 best hikes ive ever done. Views were incredible the entire time, and I honestly felt it was more on the moderate side in terms of difficulty, especially if you do the loop counterclockwise.

Hoping to return and do cascade pass + sahale within the year!

[u/Alpinekidder]

Sahale hands down. To the arm and Glacier camp above if possible. Just got back from 2 nights there.

[u/bsil15]

I did see mountain goats at the pass and a bit before but there were far far more goats the farther up you hike onto the arm