Heather - Maple Pass Loop
2 days ago
Vibrant crimson and scarlet undergrowth
14 this month · 121 reports
Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm
North Cascades
updated 3 days ago
The fall colors are currently vibrant, with berry bushes having turned crimson as of September 16. The trail is reported to be in good condition, with no snow as of September 22. The road to the trailhead is generally rough but passable for most vehicles, though some sections have potholes and washboarding, with one report from September 22 noting some really rough turns. Parking can be competitive, with the lot often full by mid-morning on weekends, prompting cars to park along the road. Wildlife, particularly mountain goats, marmots, and pikas, are frequently sighted along Sahale Arm.
Generated from 71 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 3 days ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
The road is generally rough but passable for most vehicles as of September 22. There are sections with washboarding and potholes, and some turns are noted as particularly rough. Despite the roughness, it is generally considered suitable for all vehicles.
The trail is snow-free as of September 22. Reports from late July indicated snow, but this has since melted.
Fall colors are currently vibrant, with berry bushes having turned crimson as of September 16. This weekend is considered the peak for fall colors on the Arm.
Wildlife is abundant, with frequent sightings of mountain goats, marmots, pikas, and grouse reported as of September 22. Bears have also been sighted, with one report mentioning bear sign but no sightings.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Fresh3 days ago
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
Hiked 22-SEP-2026Arriving around 7:10 AM on a cloudy, but partly-sunny-forecasted Tuesday (during peak fall colors) there were plenty of parking spots in the lot—probably 15. The toilets by the trailh...
Fresh4 days ago
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
First time to the NCNP and started off with a stunner of a hike. Got to the trailhead about 7:15 and there were still plenty of spots in the lot. There was only one section close to the end of the acc...
Fresh5 days ago
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
Got to the trailhead at 8am on a sunny fall Sunday morning. The parking lot was already full with cars parked along both sides of the road for 0.3 miles.The fall colors were out in full force- absolut...
Recent1 week ago
North Cascades
Calling this weekend as the peak for fall colors up on the Arm. Berry bushes are just past prime and have turned crimson. Color pallet is absolutely incredible. Goats, ptarmigans, pikas, chipmunks. Lo...
Recent2 weeks ago
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
The trail is all switchbacks for the first 2.5 miles with not much to see, but the grade is steady and not overwhelming. Views start to open up about three miles in. The next mile up to the junction o...
Recent2 weeks ago
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
Marmots, Picas, and Bears!... Oh My!!! This was such a great hike... Spectacular views... so much to see. Beautiful mountains, meadows, glaciers, a lake, and best of all, the wildlife. We arrived a...
Recent3 weeks ago
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
The drive from Marblemount to the Trailhead and the hike to Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm define the spectacular nature of the North Cascades. On the drive, it is difficult to see much as the forest hi...
Recent3 weeks ago
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
Tent poles FOUND 8/31/26 on the scree field just before the approach to Sahale camp. Email baileyhess@yahoo.com if they’re yours.
Older1 month ago
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
THIS HIKE IS INCREDIBLE, people are not exaggerating.We got to the trailhead around 10am on a Monday and the parking lot was full with about 10 cars on the road.The first few miles through the forest ...
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
The dirt road to the trailhead is corrugated, but OK for any car. The exception is a short section just before the end, where the road is like a rough sea and culminates in a severe bump as it enters ...