| Cascade Pass | |
|---|---|
 Sahale Arm north of Cascade Pass, looking towardsPelton Peak, Yawning Glacier and Magic Mountain | |
| 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′N121°3.6′W / 48.4683°N 121.0600°W /48.4683; -121.0600 |
 Interactive map of Cascade Pass | |
Cascade Pass (formerly also known asSkagit Pass[1][2]) is a 5,392-foot (1,643 m)mountain pass over the northernCascade Range, east ofMarblemount, Washington, U.S.
Although an important pass, providing the easiest connection from theCascade River to the head ofLake Chelan, it is now insideNorth Cascades National Park, and crossed by only a hiking trail.
From the west, one reaches it by hiking an easy 3.5 mile trail from the end of the Cascade River Road (elev. 3,600 feet (1,100 m)). From the east, it is accessible via a trail fromStehekin up theStehekin River valley.
The summit of the pass, being at thetree line, is known for its views in all directions. It is also a key departure point formountaineering; to the north, the gentle ridge of theSahale arm leads upSahale Mountain to the summit, as well as to the meadows of Boston Basin and the summits above. To the south, Mixup Arm leads toMixup Peak andMagic Mountain, as well as toCache Col, making Cascade Pass the start of the high-levelPtarmigan Traverse.
The pass was originally a major route forNative Americans trading between the coast and the interior. Among the first white men to explore and map the Skagit Pass was New York newspapermanFrank Wilkeson.Alexander Ross probably crossed the Cascades via Cascade Pass in 1814. His writings are too vague to be certain about his precise route.[3]
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