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Seattle Trails

North Cascades National Park: Cascade Pass

Satisfy your wanderlust on this 5.4-mile out-and-back, which offers stop-and-gawk panoramas of the jagged Cascades blanketed by glaciers.

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Trail Facts

  • Distance: 8.7

Waypoints

CAS001

Location: 48.475503, -121.075001

Begin from the well-marked Cascade Pass trailhead, listening for distant roar of falling ice on Johannesburg Mtn.

CAS002

Location: 48.476236, -121.072061

Keep trudging up 30-plus switchbacks before trail opens to talus slopes and impressive views

CAS003

Location: 48.477929, -121.068649

View of glacier-carved valley cradling N Fork of Cascade River

CAS004

Location: 48.476691, -121.066675

Continue along steep slope of valley wall. Native Americans once used this corridor as a mountain passage; later it became a gold prospectors’ route

CAS005

Location: 48.471271, -121.060967

Catch good views of Johannesburg Mtn.

CAS006

Location: 48.477829, -121.065774

Top of switchbacks; trail goes S

CAS007

Location: 48.472494, -121.06204

Rest in tranquil wildflower meadow

CAS008

Location: 48.471989, -121.061699

Terrain changes to barren alpine zone inhabited by friendly marmots and pikas

CAS009

Location: 48.470551, -121.060402

Traverse lengthy talus rise; good views upslope of Mt. Sahal. Caution: Trail is obvious, but footing is rough

CAS010

Location: 48.467541, -121.059196

Cascade Pass; SE vistas of glacier-capped Pelton Peak

CAS011

Location: 48.467857, -121.058092

Hike to end of pass for stellar views, photo ops; retrace steps to car

How to Pack for Backcountry Skiing

Get to know the winter safety gear you need in your pack.

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