Cascade Pass facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cascade Pass |
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Sahale Arm north of Cascade Pass, looking towards Pelton Peak, Yawning Glacier and Magic Mountain
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| Elevation | 5,392 ft (1,643 m) |
| Traversed by | Cascade Pass Trail |
| Location | Chelan / Skagit counties, Washington, United States |
| Range | Cascades |
| Coordinates | 48°28.1′N 121°3.6′W / 48.4683°N 121.0600°W |
Cascade Pass is a special place in the Cascade Range mountains. It's a low point or "pass" that lets you cross over the mountains. It used to be called Skagit Pass. This pass is about 5,392-foot (1,643 m) high. It is located in Washington, U.S., east of a town called Marblemount, Washington.
Even though it's an important way to cross the mountains, today you can only reach it by hiking. It's now part of the beautiful North Cascades National Park.
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What is Cascade Pass?
A mountain pass is like a natural doorway through a mountain range. Cascade Pass connects the Cascade River area to the top of Lake Chelan. It's known for being one of the easiest ways to cross this part of the Cascade Range.
How to Get to Cascade Pass
Since cars can't drive to Cascade Pass, you have to hike!
- If you start from the west, you can hike about 3.5 miles (5.6 km). This trail begins at the end of the Cascade River Road. The road itself is already quite high up, around 3,600 feet (1,100 m).
- If you come from the east, you can hike from Stehekin. This trail follows the Stehekin River valley.
Both trails offer amazing views as you climb higher.
Amazing Views and Adventures
When you reach the top of Cascade Pass, you'll be at the tree line. This means there are very few trees, so you get incredible views in every direction! It's a perfect spot to take photos.
Cascade Pass is also a starting point for mountain climbing adventures.
- To the north, a gentle ridge called the Sahale Arm leads up to Sahale Mountain. You can also find the beautiful meadows of Boston Basin there.
- To the south, the Mixup Arm takes you towards Mixup Peak and Magic Mountain. This area is also the start of a famous high-level hiking route called the Ptarmigan Traverse.
A Bit of History
Long ago, Cascade Pass was a very important route for Native American tribes. They used it to trade goods between the coast and the inland areas. It was a vital pathway for their communities.
Some of the first non-Native explorers to map this area included Frank Wilkeson, a newspaper writer. It's also thought that Alexander Ross, a fur trader, might have crossed the Cascades through Cascade Pass in 1814. However, his old writings are not clear enough to be absolutely sure of his exact path.
