Experience unobstructed views of both from the foot of the Sahale Glacier—at 7,400 feet, this is the highest campsite on our list. Permits & Passes Washington State ... Sahale Glacier – North Cascades National Park ... Their High Camp is described as robust and regal, with a feeling of a British safari tent tucked away in the trees. There, you’ll camp next to the Sahale Glacier, among the mountains of the North Cascades. Mine was checked twice. The PNW is a beautiful place to wander! Times: 4-5 hr trailhead to camp, 2 hr camp to summit. Stairway to Heaven: Sahale Glacier Camp, North Cascades National Park, Washington. Camping is available near the trailhead at Johannesburg Camp, and additionally at Sahale Glacier Camp. As an initial note, to spend an overnight at Sahale Glacier Camp, you need to obtain a permit at the North Cascades Ranger Station in Marblemount, Washington. Sahale Glacier Campground. My heart longed for a permit, it would have been a … Otherwise the well-worn trail is easy to follow, except the last half mile to camp where you scramble steeply up … In Marblemount we stopped at the ranger station to pick up our bear canisters. From the trailhead, it took me a little less than 6 hours to hike these 6 miles with 4000′ of ascending. These reservations can be made from March 15 – April 15 for the summer season, and there is a $20 non-refundable application fee for each reservation submitted. Chances of securing a permit for a camp depend greatly on its popularity, what of the day of the week it is, and what the weather and conditions are. From Sahale Arm, strap on those gaiters, and maybe crampons, to cross the Sahale Glacier to a boulder field. Drive I-5 to just north of Mount Vernon, then east on SR-20 (North Cascades Highway) to Marblemount. It’s hard to say which sight is more awe-inducing: the North Cascades’ night skies or its peaks. With light packs, a carry-over will make for a much shorter second day. There, you'll camp next to the Sahale Glacier, among the mountains of the North Cascades. Sahale Glacier Camp. Permits are limited, so get there early or call in advance.To start, go to Marblemount, WA and then drive ~23 miles east on Cascade River Road until the end, the Cascade Pass trailhead. We do backpack and have great gear. I put in 5 different dates for Sahale and got one for a Sunday in September. **Note, these are for camping dates between May 15th and September 30th. I was his accountability buddy and enjoyed watching his progress. With this in mind, we had devised a foolproof, master plan for obtaining a backcountry permit for Sahale Glacier Camp. You must be signed in to submit this form. I was his accountability buddy and enjoyed watching his progress. You are taking them away from people who know what they are doing. At 7600', Sahale Glacier Camp (a.k.a. Phone Number. Experience unobstructed views of both from the foot of the Sahale Glacier—at 7,400 feet, this is the highest campsite on our list. For those going up the Quien Sabe route (Boston Basin) there is camping in the basin itself. Hiked up and camped at Sahale Glacier Camp on Friday and Saturday nights. users recommend obtaining a permit for camping up there, since it is beautiful. If you have any reservations about lugging a pack up steep, miserable, shifting talus and scree with nary a visible trail to follow, DO NOT GET A PERMIT TO CAMP AT SAHALE GLACIER!!!!!!!! Perched on the moraine at the edge of Sahale Glacier, the campsites here are each circled by low rock walls for shelter against the wind. The panoramic views of the North Cascades are top-notch for an approach of this distance. Permits for the Sahale Moraine camp go very fast on summer weekends. You can get a permit to camp at Sahale Glacier Camp one of two ways: First Way (Advanced Reservation) Reserve your campsite dates in advance. If you're able to obtain an overnight permit a base-camp at Sahale Glacier Camp is a must, but be … It is a large campground with three different loops that is able to accommodate RVs and trailers of all sizes. If you ask me what is the best campsite I've ever been to, the answer is simple -- Sahale Glacier Camp, the highest established campsite in the North Cascade National Park in WA. I applied for a single weeknight in August for the Sahale Glacier camp and was unfortunately denied. From the North Cascades to the Redwoods … They're free, first-come, first-serve and up to 6 people per permit. Backcountry Camping. Four out of 6 sites can be reserved. We didn’t do this part, because we want to wait until we are able to get a backpacking permit to camp at the Sahale Glacier. Watch for rockfall during the descent from the summit. You can get a permit to camp at Sahale Glacier Camp one of two ways: Reserve your campsite dates in advance. The window for advanced reservation begins March 15th and ends April 15th. **Note, these are for camping dates between May 15th and September 30th. GORGE LAKE CAMPGROUND C/O NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK SERVICE COMPLEX 810 STATE ROUTE 20 SEDRO-WOOLLEY WASHINGTON 98284. The best camping place on the standard route is near the Sahale Glacier which is about 5.7 miles in (7,600 feet high). It takes 6 miles and 4,000 feet of elevation gain to reach this site, but the views will make you forget all about the struggle. A free backcountry permit is required for camping and can be obtained at the Wilderness Information Center in Marblemount. I spent the day taking care of chores and of course eating, including dealing with a fraud alert on my primary credit card. Getting A Permit For Sahale Glacier Camp. This is the toughest part of the hike. We recommend training for Sahale Peak’s Quien Sabe Glacier at least 3-6 months in advance. Stop at Sahale Arm, where small backcountry campsites are a hot commodity and require a backcountry permit. Exceptions to this permit rule are some lakeside camping sites. If sleeping in a tent on the floor isn't your thing but you still feel … It is a large campground with three different loops that is able to accommodate RVs and trailers of all sizes. Sahale Glacier Camp, North Cascades National Park, Washington ... Do it: After landing the permit, switchback up the western slope of 8,681-foot Sahale Mountain on … If hoping to spend the night at Sahale Glacier Camp, users recommend obtaining a permit for camping up there, since it is beautiful. A permit is required to camp here overnight, this can be obtained at the wilderness information center located on highway 20 in the nearby town of Marblemount. Permit: I got the permit for Sahale camp in April. Everyone on this trip needs to apply for a camping permit between 3/15-4/15 and be committed to going. From Sahale Arm, strap on those gaiters, and maybe crampons, to cross the Sahale Glacier to a boulder field. Number of Reservable Sites refers to the number of sites within a camp or zone that are reservable relative to the total number of sites that camp contains. It had been a successful but tiring 14-hour day. From the pass the trail soon splits, the main trail heads down towards the Pelton Basin Camp, then onto Cottonwood camp and Stehekin. Backpacking is only allowed with a wilderness permit here due to National Park regulations. Put it all together and you’ll come to the conclusion: Modest elevation be damned, this is high-alpine camping at its finest. However, one benefit of living this flexible lifestyle was that I was able to delay my start by a day and thus was still rewarded with a permit to Sahale Glacier Camp. Wildflowers were in full bloom. Sahale Glacier Camp Overnighter. https://backobeyond.blog/sahale-glacier-camp-backpacking-guide A backcountry permit is required to camp overnight in North Cascades National Park. Continue east on Keep in mind that because the Sahale Glacier Camp sits at 7,500 elevation, it is typically colder than standard weather forecasts might say. You can also go further along this trail to Sahale Glacier, which would make the hike 12 miles round trip (4,150 total elevation gain). Sahale Glacier Hike Info. Distance: 12 miles | Difficulty: Strenuous | Time: 5 to 8 hours. Stop at Sahale Arm, where small backcountry campsites are a hot commodity and require a backcountry permit. users recommend obtaining a permit for camping up there, since it is beautiful. Glacier Public Service Center — Obtain permits here for entering the park via Hwy 542 (Mt. Sahale Glacier Camp, North Cascades National Park, WA. There are also some camp grounds along the Cascade River Road which the closest one is Johannesburg camp near the trailhead. Permits are limited, so get there early or call in advance.To start, go to Marblemount, WA and then drive ~23 miles east on Cascade River Road until the end, the Cascade Pass trailhead. Price XC) At 7,686 feet, this perch (the park’s highest designated site) sits at the brink of a 2,000-foot dropoff overlooking a sea of razor peaks smothered in snow and ice. There is no camping allowed directly at Cascade Pass but there are several campsites nearby: Pelton Basin, Sahale Glacier, Basin Creek and Johannesburg. Short of a trip that ambitious, I suggest you try to grab a permit for two nights at Sahale Glacier Camp, or if that’s not available, then one night there and one down at Pelton Basin Camp (I have camped there) in the Stehekin Valley east of Cascade Pass. Permits are required for all overnight travel into North Cascades backcountry, and the Sahale Glacier Campground is one of the most sought after permits. Permits are limited. After getting some photos at the pass, I continued up the Sahale Arm section towards Sahale Glacier (where there’s a flat spot for camping…it’s by permit but I’d recommend it). If you plan to camp overnight at Sahale Arm and/or climb the glacier, you'll need an overnight backcountry climber's permit from Marblemount Ranger Station. So off I went, on August 8th, venturing off into the wild North Cascades on my own. Where: North Cascades National Park. Users can grab a permit from North Cascades Ranger Station in Marblemount a day prior to the trek, and they should go early, since it will still be difficult to get a permit for weekends, but the wait is worth it! You should be able to hike/climb for 1 to 2 hours at a time, punctuated by 10 minute breaks, for up to 12 hours. It can be secured with a walk up permit either the day of or the day before from the Marblemount Ranger Station. for example, 3/5 means a camp has 5 sites, and 3 are reservable. Permit required; only available in-person during the winter season Contact Everglades National Park Written by Kristin Smith for Backpacker and legally licensed through the Matcha publisher network . An alternate resort-style ranch offers luxury amenities and is a popular family vacation spot with … And finally, I arrived at Sahale Glacier Camp. Sahale Glacier Campground (backcountry permit required) Big Beaver and Little Beaver Campgrounds (Boat-in) On this trip, we chose to stay at Newhalem Campground. Backpacking Sahale Glacier requires backcountry camping permits issued by the US National Parks Service. This select guide includes detailed, easy to follow directions to climbing 100 of Washington’s most visible, historically significant, and interesting mountains with summits over 5,000 feet. North Cascades National Park, WA. Sahale Glacier Camp Directions and Permits. ... Backcountry camping permit. It requires a combination of glacial travel and rock scrambling, but both of these aspects are relativley easy/accessible. Plan on just driving around, hiking the beach, hiking through hoh rainforest, and hiking on hurricane ridge. If you already have an account, Sign In ; otherwise, Create an Account . Sahale Peak is a prominent sub-summit of Boston Peak and is worth the ascent. I dropped my pack and put up my new ultralight tent , which honestly is a difficult tent to set up within the confines of the rock-walled campsite. The spur trail climbs up, up up (2,300 feet up in 1.9 miles) to Sahale Glacier Camp. Parts of this trail can be slippery as a result of the steep incline combined with loose dirt and rocks. From the trailhead, it took me a little less than 6 hours to hike these 6 miles with 4000′ of ascending. Sahale Glacier Party Camp -- Aug 1-3 Here is a brief trip report I put up on Washington Trails Association. If you're able to obtain an overnight permit a base-camp at Sahale Glacier Camp is a must, but be … As an initial note, to spend an overnight at Sahale Glacier Camp, you need to obtain a permit at the North Cascades Ranger Station in Marblemount, Washington. If camping on Boston Glacier, the Quien Sabe Glacier route to the Boston-Sahale col is more direct. Email: Click to email. We will also visit Portland and Seattle. Stairway to Heaven: Sahale Glacier Camp, North Cascades National Park, Washington. Views down the Stehekin valley and into the heart of the North Cascades, and great sunrises/sunsets from camp. Section 5: The Final Ascent to Sahale Glacier Camp. Planning a very special hike with your partner? A frigid, foggy gale was blowing across the Sahale Glacier as we tromped into camp scant minutes before dark (6.8 hours + 1500 feet from summit). Advanced reservations are available for many sites in the park and are highly recommended if you want to secure a permit for the Sahale Glacier Camp. Because the permits are limited. https://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/backcountry-reservations.htm Sign in at Ranger Station and get a permit. Obtain a permit for Pelton Basin and then give the glacier a try as a day hike. The glacier … This route can be done with a camp on the Sahale Moraine or as a carry-over with a camp on Boston Glacier. Route Synopsis: From our high camp on the Quien Sabe Glacier, we ascend a 4th class rock gully and snow slopes to a notch at the base of Sharkfin Tower. If you have a longer time to spend in North Cascades National Park, consider making … There are numerous campsites along the trail to … The first day the numbers weren’t out. It is surrounded by the best peaks of cascades mountains and Sahale glacier is right next to it. 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