Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm Hike Sunday

This is very strenuous hike and expecting the hike to take around 6 to 7 Hours.

Driving Time is 3 hours from Bellevue area.

The plan is to drive to North Cascades on Saturday and camp close to Trailhead and do the hike on Sunday.

I just made the reservation for the Camping site:

Details: MARBLE CREEK Campground

Getting There:

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
48.5325, -121.27167
48°31'57"N, 121°16'18"W

From Seattle, take Interstate 5 north for about 42 miles. Exit onto WA-530 east, then continue onto WA-20 east to the town of Marblemount. Cross the bridge over Skagit River and go east approximately 8 miles to Marble Creek Campground. Please RSVP if you are committed for this hike. Its strenuous hike also includes long drive and camping.

Meeting Location:

Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm (48.4748,-121.0735 ) Trailhead at 8:00 AM

Location:

North Cascades -- North Cascades Highway

North Cascades National Park

WTA Link and info:

http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/sahale-arm

Statistics:

Roundtrip 12.0 miles

Elevation Gain 3600 ft

Highest Point 7200 ft

Features:

Lakes

Old growth

Wildflowers/Meadows

Mountain views

Wildlife

Ridges/passes

User info:

Dogs not allowed

Guidebooks & Maps:

Day Hiking: North Cascades (Romano - Mountaineers Books)

Green Trails Cascade Pass No. 80

I am planning to drive on Saturday and camp at any one of the campsites around North Cascades. I haven't made reservation yet but I will finalize after knowing the RSVP Details.

Here is a quote from WTA.

"The trail left to Sahale Arm, however, is nothing but pure delight from this point. Follow the path upward through rolling meadow and alpine tundra while peeping pipits and whistling pigs (marmots) announce your arrival. Hike all the way to the toe of Sahale Glacier at 7200 feet (but not on it-that's for equipped climbers) or until snowfields block passage. You may have to overcome panorama paralysis, a condition known to stop hikers dead in their tracks when barraged by boundless beauty.

Don't fight it. Look north to 8484-foot Sahale Mountain's glistening glacier; south to the sheer vertical walls of Johannesburg and company clad in hanging glaciers; east down the lush Stehekin River valley, with McGregor Mountain standing proud and Doubtful Lake below; and west to Hidden Lake Peaks, Eldorado Peak, and Mount Torment.