Sahale Glacier Camp, North Cascades National Park
Sahale Glacier Camp, North Cascades National Park is a stunningly scenic spot to spend the night.
The camp is situated atop three mounds of glacial rubble at the toe of Sahale Glacier. Here only rock and ice exist. Camping is on hard ground or slabs of stone. The Park Service has built walls, like small turrets, to provide wind protection around each tent pad.
The route up to the camp can be a bit strenuous, the first leg starts at the end of the Cascade River Road, ascending up 40 something switchbacks 3.7 miles and 1,700 ft elevation gain) to Cascade Pass. The last switchback traverses along the ridge offering glorious views of peaks such as Eldorado, Johannesburg, Magic, Mixup and McGregor.
From Cascade Pass there is a well marked signpost pointing you up towards the Sahale Camp. The first section after the pass is steep and rugged, but often filled with wildflowers. Once up to the next saddle there is another trail junction down to Doubtful Lake. Looking up you can see Sahale Peak above and in front there are the three piles of rock, with the camp. From this point they look to be a LONG way off!
Now the best part of the trail starts, along Sahale Arm. This long arcing ridge takes you up through meadows of green, upholstered with wildflowers in the early summer, and though you’re still climbing steadily you’ll hardly notice due to the majestic views all around.
The final push up to the camp is very steep, the trail zig-zags up scree and boulders following cairns straight up the mountain side to the camp.
The camp sites are to the right, each affording a fantastic view. The glacier gives birth to a fresh water source so you don’t need to haul water up.
Mountain Goats are frequently at the camp, looking for a salt lick, they are adept at posing for pictures!
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These images are from my most recent visit, on Thursday/Friday Aug. 18/19. My nephew, Mike came along. He is from Florida and was a great companion for the trip! You can see from the pics that he will fit in well here in the Pacific NW!
Sahale Glacier Camp, North Cascades National Park
Did you bring water or did you find a source to filter? On that note is it feasible to get water at doubtful lake. I’m headed up there in a couple of days and hopefully can camp there.
Thanks