North Cascades Backpacking Adventure

WA, North Cascades National Park Backpacking Cascade Pass to Stehekin
Cascade Pass, Sahale Arm, Stehekin River Valley, and Lake Chelan

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  • North Cascades National Park Backpacking Adventure Guide Notes Summary
  • Adventure Nerds Guide Notes North Cascades National Park Cascade Pass to Stehekin Overview
  • Adventure Nerds Guide Notes North Cascades National Park Cascade Pass to Stehekin Table of Contents
  • Adventure Nerds Guide Notes North Cascades National Park Cascade Pass to Stehekin Background Information
  • Adventure Nerds Guide Notes North Cascades National Park Cascade Pass to Stehekin Getting There from Seattle
  • Adventure Nerds Guide Notes North Cascades National Park Cascade Pass to Stehekin Weather
  • Adventure Nerds Guide Notes North Cascades National Park Cascade Pass to Stehekin Section 1

The guidebook covers multiple backpacking itineraries from Cascade Pass to Stehekin in North Cascades National Park. It includes detailed information about the Cascade Pass Trail, Sahale Arm, and hiking in the North Cascades along the Upper Stehekin Valley to Lake Chelan. We compiled all the information about the campsites, trails, weather, permits, maps, and everything you need to know to plan your adventure.

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WA, North Cascades National Park Backpacking Cascade Pass to Stehekin

North Cascades National Park is lovingly called the American Alps. Jagged peaks, rushing waterfalls, sparkling glaciers, and lush valleys painted with wildflowers create a spectacular wilderness. This adventure follows the Stehekin River Valley from Cascade Pass to the remote town of Stehekin. Once you’re over the pass, it’s all downhill to the PCT-famous bakery and the shores of Lake Chelan. Along the way, choose from half-a-dozen campgrounds and customize your adventure with summit attempts, a visit to the Black Warrior Mine, trout fishing, wild berry picking, and plenty of side trips.

A great backpacking adventure near Seattle

Cascade Pass in North Cascades National Park is only three hours from Seattle. Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm are popular day-hike destinations, but an overnight adventure allows for more remote and unique experiences.

How long does it take to hike from Cascade Pass to Stehekin?

From the Cascade Pass Trailhead to the shuttle stop at High Bridge Campground is 20.9 miles. From the Cascade Pass Trailhead, the trail climbs 1,800 feet in the first 3.5 miles, and then it is pretty much all downhill from there. Everyone hikes at a different speed, but we recommend 1-2 nights on the trail, and you’ll likely need to plan a night in either Stehekin or Chelan.

The tricky part about calculating the time it takes to hike from Cascade Pass to Stehekin is the logistics involved with this adventure. From getting permits to timing the shuttle, ferry, bus, and train schedules, this one-way backpacking adventure takes some additional planning. We compiled all the logistical information so you don’t have to – that’s what Guide Notes are for!

Overnight Backpacking North Cascades

The North Cascades Backpacking Adventure Guide Notes not only provide an in-depth overview of the route from Cascade Pass to Stehekin, but we’ve taken all of the information from our adventures and made it easy to help you create an adventure that works for you. Beyond the main route, we’ve outlined side trips and multiple ideas for alternate routes.

Hiking Trails in North Cascades National Park

We describe some of the most popular hiking trails in North Cascades National Park and string them together to create the best backpacking adventures for all experience levels. Popular starting points include Cascade Pass, Stehekin, and Diablo Lake. The main trails are the Cascade Pass Trail, Upper Stehekin Valley Trail, and the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). We also include notes about Sahale Arm, Thunder/Park Creek Trail, Rainbow Lake Trail, Lakeshore Trail, and many more. The guidebook includes downloadable maps and GPS routes.

Read our detailed description of the North Cascades hiking trails and download a free trail map.

Please review the Guide Notes and our Backpacking and Hiking Trails Difficulty Ratings to understand the difficulty of the suggested overnight hiking routes in North Cascades National Park.

Do you need a permit to hike in North Cascades National Park?

Yes. Permits are required for all backcountry campsites in North Cascades National Park, and they can be tricky to get! Hiking in the North Cascades in July and August is extremely popular. Your best chance of getting a permit is selecting off-peak times like the middle of the week and late summer or early fall. Do you want to know more about permits for the North Cascades? Check out our article on how much it costs to hike from Cascade Pass to Stehekin.

North Cascades Backpacking Adventure Guide Notes Includes:

  • A 36-page guidebook for backpacking adventures near Cascade Pass, Sahale Arm, and the Upper Stehekin Valley
  • A detailed topographic trail map for the Stehekin Valley section of North Cascades National Park
  • Example itineraries for multiple routes for creative trip planning
  • GPS downloads
  • Alternative adventure ideas in Stehekin, Chelan, and the surrounding area
  • An overview of the natural history and cultural history of the North Cascades
  • Links to resources and weather information to make planning easier
  • Risk management, gear, and packing list information
  • Details about backcountry permits and camping regulations
  • Recommendations, tips, and more
  • North Cascades National Park Cascade Pass Trail to Stehekin
  • North Cascades National Park Cascade Pass to Sahale Arm trail and glacier
  • North Cascades National Park Cascade Pass to Stehekin American Pika
  • North Cascades National Park Cascade Pass to Stehekin Mountain Goat
  • North Cascades National Park Cascade Pass to Stehekin Howard Lake

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