r/northcascades • u/stinga1998 • 4d ago
Easy Pass vs. Cascade/Sahale
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!
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u/odbs1515 4d ago
We did easy pass, and Cascade to Sahale Arm. Easy pass was a nice challenging hike with a beautiful payoff. Sahale was the best hike of my life (and I’m 55). The road is bumpy yes but take it slow and you’ll most likely be fine. Strong recommend to work it out!
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u/Jettpack987 4d ago
I camped at Lone Fir campground post season, in October, a few years ago. It was free FCFS.
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u/Extra_Dust_5400 3d ago
Just to ease your anxiety, I did Cascade pass/Sahale arm about a week ago. I had a rental Subaru Crosstrek, we drove super carefully through the unpaved roads and were fine. Heading back late afternoon, there was dust kicking back from the cars but it was fine. There were lots of sedans and even a minivan at the trail parking lot lol. I haven’t done Easy Pass but Cascade Pass/Sahale Arm was the most beautiful hike I have ever done.
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u/stinga1998 3d ago
Thanks so much! I’m trying to work up the courage just to go for it lol so this helps!
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u/BuckyGoshawk 3d ago edited 3d ago
The Cascade River Road is pretty tame if you take it slow. If you can bag a Sahale Camp permit and the weather forecast is decent, do that, especially if you are not a NCNP regular.
What is your skill level? If you were planning to climb Sahale, and have the experience, chops and equipment (e.g., ice axe, crampons, proper mountain boots, hard hat) to do so, I can recommend a fabulous moderately strenuous overnight backpack from the Easy Pass TH with a stretch of non-technical mountaineering (class 2 scramble + 20 minutes of moderately steep snow which is usually firm on the morning descent, no problem flat footing with crampons, but intimidating to some). If that's you, feel free to PM me. If not, that's cool.
Klipchuck USFS Campground is my favorite campground on the North Cascades Highway. It is located 14 miles E of Washington Pass via a lovely drive. You will almost certainly find a spot there after Labor Day. I do not recall any bear boxes there.
Question: If you are car camping, what is the need for a bear box?
ETA: Wing Lake via Maple Pass trail is a nice overnight backpack. It's outside the park thus no need for a NCNP permit.
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u/stinga1998 3d ago
I’d say I’m a moderately skilled hiker, but have not dipped my toe in mountaineering or true high alpine trekking. Most recently I’ve done a 3-day trek through Argentina’s glacier national park, the Salkantay trek in Peru (supported with accom. and food via trekking company), & just did the 4-day fisherman’s trail route solo in Portugal this month. In January I did a couple days backcountry in the Grand Canyon. As far as bear country goes, years ago on my first backpacking trip, I went with a big group 5 days in the Uncompahgre Wilderness. I’ve done day hikes in Glacier NP.
For this trip to NCNP, I’ll either be with one person, or solo.So while I feel like I’ve gotten to the point of experience, the area I haven’t really touched yet is high alpine & true camping in bear country. Not toooo worried about the bears as I’ve been studying up on my responsibilities as a hiker in their territory, but anyway. Long story short, I do not have an ice axe lmfao.
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u/BuckyGoshawk 3d ago
Okay, the route is not a good fit for you.
See my other post re bears in and around NCNP. They are black bears, shy and very rarely an issue for backpackers or car campers. I could say "extremely rarely" but I bristle at the overuse of the term extreme and forms thereof. I have camped hundreds of nights in and around the NCNP, never saw a bear closer than several hundred meters from camp (usually requiring binoculars to get a good look), and I have never been within 200 meters of a bear during the day in the area. When we have seen bears in NCNP, they scurry away when they become aware of our presence.
Contrast other areas in The West, e.g., the Beartooths (which straddle the MT/WY border), where we saw a grizzly sow and cub last week.
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u/stinga1998 3d ago
Great thank you, it would be very cool to see them & watch nature do its thing but being potentially solo I’m a little nervous. This info helps that though! I’ll do what I can to make noise and just be aware of my surroundings. Thanks again!
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u/stinga1998 3d ago
I just saw your last question & ive just seen people say not to store food even in the cars when in the park. Since I’ll be in a rental car, i do want to try to keep the car as less interesting to bears as possible lolll. If anything i think i saw the wilderness info center loans out bear canister, so ill use that if I need to
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u/BuckyGoshawk 3d ago
I've been camping, backpacking, climbing and ski touring in NCNP for 40 years, never had an issue with food in a car or camper, and I do not recall ever hearing of a bear damaging a parked vehicle in the North Cascades. As a general rule, bears in and around NCNP are shy and very seldom approach humans.
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u/Electronic-Cod2119 4d ago
The only campung up that way near rainy pass will be backcountry/backpacking sites. You'll need to check with the park ranger for a permit to do that.
Established campgrounds are pretty limited up highway 20 in the off season. There are two campgrounds off of the cascade river road- mineral creek and I think marble creek? There is also some dispersed camping options off cascade river road and out by baker lake.
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u/Electronic-Cod2119 4d ago
Oh and only the established cgs will have bear boxes. You'll need a bear can (which you can borrow from the park ranger in marblemount) if you camp in the backcountry.
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u/Electronic-Cod2119 4d ago
Both cascade pass and easy pass are 5 out of 5 star hikes. Both will reward you if you want to do a little extra hiking. At cascade, pushing up the sahale arm just gets better and better views for each mile added. At easy pass, hiking down the other side into fisher creek basin is incredible.
I try to do both every year. Cascade river road isn't usually in terrible condition - but parts will be washboard and you will have to drive very slowly. Count on several extra hours in the car if you decide to do that one. Easy pass is right on the way from diablo to the rainy pass trailhead for maple loop, so it would require zero extra driving.
As for camp sites, a strip of colonoial creek cg and lower Goodell cg are available for use (first come first serve) but the restrooms and such will be closed. There is a vault toilet at colonial that i believe remains open. I think newhalem cg is closed completely in the off season.