Sahale Glacier Camp is one of the most breathtaking backpacking destinations in Washington state. Perched high in North Cascades National Park, this campground offers panoramic alpine views, the chance to camp beside a glacier, and the opportunity to watch a curious pack of mountain goats. While it’s a challenging trail, it’s still a manageable backpacking trip for intermediate hikers looking to level up their adventures. Below we share a full guide to backpacking at Sahale Glacier Camp in Washington, including everything you need to know to plan your trip.

Trail tip: We followed the Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm Trail on AllTrails for our route. It’s about 12 miles round trip with 4,000 feet of elevation gain, so be prepared for a steep climb and a rewarding view.

Looking for more backpacking guides? You can find more of our Washington state hiking and travel guides here. You can also find ALL of our top hiking and backpacking recommendations for North Cascades National Park here.

Guide to backpacking at Sahale Glacier Camp in the North Cascades

Below we share all the basics you need to know to plan a weekend backpacking trip to Sahale Glacier. We cover how to get a backpacking permit, how to get there, what to pack, and what to expect on the trail.

Everything you need to know for backpacking at Sahale Glacier Camp

Is this trail beginner-friendly?

Backpacking at Sahale Glacier Camp is a strenuous adventure, with nearly 4,000 feet of elevation gain. The final stretch involves climbing a steep screefield with loose rock and dirt, which can be slippery and slow-going. Trekking poles are highly recommended. While the trail is stunning and rewarding, it’s not ideal for first-time backpackers unless you’re in great physical condition and are prepared for alpine terrain and weather.

Are permits required to backpack at Sahale Glacier Camp?

Yes, each backpacking party needs a permit to camp overnight at Sahale Glacier Camp. Specifically, you will need: 

• A North Cascades National Park Backcountry Permit for overnight camping.
• A National Park Pass to park at the trailhead. I recommend the annual America the Beautiful pass, which covers entry fees to all National Park sites in the U.S. 

Backcountry permits can be reserved online or obtained in person at the North Cascades National Park Wilderness Information Center. Plan ahead… these permits go fast!

You can either secure your Backcountry Permit months in advance online at recreation.gov, or you can get a last-minute permit 48 hours in advance. We got a last-minute permit, which I describe in detail below. 

How to get a last minute permit to Sahale Glacier Camp

If you don’t secure a Backcountry Permit months in advance, your only other option is to try and get a “walk-up” Backcountry Permit. You can only obtain these coveted permits in-person at the North Cascades National Park Wilderness Information Center, located here. These are the exact steps you have to take:

• Three Days Before Your Trip: Arrive at the Wilderness Information Center at 4:00 PM Pacific Time. At closing time, a ranger will place a ticket dispenser outside the front door. Take one ticket per group; not every group member needs one. Note: Group size limits may apply, so check with the ranger station in advance if you’re traveling with a large party.
• Two Days Before Your Trip: At 7:00 AM, the morning after getting a ticket, arrive back at the Wilderness Information Center.  This is the time the Information Center opens. At exactly 7:00 AM, rangers will begin calling ticket numbers, displayed on a digital ticker above the entrance. If you received the first ticket the previous evening, you’ll be first in line.
• Requesting Your Permit: Once inside, ask about availability for Sahale Glacier Camp.   If permits are available, you can request the number of nights and group size for your trip. Keep in mind: your first night at camp must begin exactly two days after the day you receive your permit.

Backpacking Tip: If you don’t secure a Sahale Glacier Camp permit, do not fret! You can also camp along the hiking route at Pelton Basin Camp, which starts at the same trailhead. 

How to Get to Cascade Pass Trailhead

The trailhead for Sahale Glacier begins at the Cascade Pass Trailhead, located about 2.5 hours northeast of Seattle. You can find coordinates to the trailhead here, where you can park your vehicle overnight. The last 13 miles of the road to the trailhead is gravel, which is well-maintained (as of writing this post), and easy for any car to navigate. The final few hundred meters before the trailhead is a deeply rutted gravel section, which may be difficult for low clearance vehicles to clear. We saw several cars parked on the side of the road before this point, likely not able to drive over. 

Trail tip: The parking lot at Cascade Pass fills up quickly, especially on weekends. Arrive early or consider a weekday trip. There are pit toilets at the trailhead, but no trash service. Pack it in, pack it out.

Best time of year for backpacking at Sahale Glacier Camp

The best time to backpack at Sahale Glacier is late July through September, when the snow has melted and the trail is accessible. We went in August 2025, and the trail was snow-free; though, it was a low snowpack year. Snowfields linger near the glacier, so be prepared for cold nights even in summer. Call the National Park ranger station before your trip to get an understanding of trail conditions. 

Trail conditions leading to Sahale Glacier Camp

• Miles 0 – 2.5: For the first 2.5 miles, you will hike switchback after switchback upwards through a dense forest. On occasion, you’ll be able to see the mountains around you. Over this stretch, you’ll gain about 1,500 feet elevation. 
• Miles 2.5 – 5.5: Once you exit the forest, the views will open up and you’ll get epic views of the glaciers and jagged mountains around you. You’ll have beautiful views all the way to camp. You may get an occasional glimpse of a marmot or mountain goat here!
• Miles 5.5 – 5.8: The last push to the camp is up a steep screefield. Scree is loose rock and dirt. You’ll gain about 500 feet of elevation in the last quarter mile. 

Where can I camp at Sahale Glacier Camp?

Backpacking at Sahale Glacier Camp is permitted only in designated sites near the glacier. These sites are managed by the National Park Service and require a Backcountry Permit. If you have a permit, the sites are first-come-first-served. The campsites are rocky but flat, and are surrounded by a short rocky wall, which helps to block the wind. 

What to conditions to expect at camp

Mind the weather, and be prepared for cold, windy conditions. This campsite is in the alpine, so even in summer you can expect cold nights and mornings. You can also expect a lot of wind! Pack accordingly, no matter what season you visit! We each packed a 17° F backpacking quilt, and we were sufficiently warm. We also packed warm puffer jackets. In addition to the cold, research the weather and ensure you’re prepared for conditions you might encounter, including rain, snow, and lightning. You can access our full backpacking gear list below.

Bathroom etiquette at Sahale Glacier Camp

The trailhead parking lot has a pit toilet. There are no more toilets until you reach the camp.  The campground has a single composting toilet, which is a huge help in minimizing human impact. However, there are still a few important things to keep in mind:

• The park rangers request that you only poop in the toilet. DO NOT PEE in the toilet. A poop-pee mixture makes it incredibly difficult for the rangers to shovel out and remove the waste. It also creates a VERY smelly toilet. 
• Do not throw trash, food, or hygiene products into the toilet. Pack those out with you.
• When you have to pee, try to pee on a rock, not on the soil. The salts in your pee are beneficial to the local mountain goats. You may see them locking rocks… they’re likely licking urine! 

Where can I access water along this trail?

The trailhead does not have any drinking fountains. In August 2025, there were a few small streams early in the hike to filter water, then a long stretch without places to filter water until you reach the base of the screefield. Be sure to pack plenty of water since it may be a few hours between filters. At camp, you will be able to filter the melting glacier water, which is easy to access from camp. We love the Katadyn BeFree 1.0 Liter Filter Bottle for water filtration.

Wildlife Safety at Sahale Glacier

During your trek, you will likely see tons of mountain goats, marmots, and pika. This area of the North Cascades also has black bears, though we didn’t see any bears on our trip. Backpackers are required to store all of their food in their own bear-resistant food canister. There are no trees at camp to hang your food. 

Mountain goats tend to roam around camp, and sometimes they can get quite close to you. In general, they are docile, and are likely just curious (or want your pee). Never approach a mountain goat, and try to safely back away if it gets within 100+ feet from you. The Washington Trails Association has a good guide on hiking in mountain goat country. 

Final Thoughts

Backpacking at Sahale Glacier Camp is no small feat, but for those willing to take on the challenge, it’s one of the most rewarding alpine experiences in Washington. With a bit of planning, you’ll be well-prepared to enjoy this unforgettable high-alpine adventure. I appreciated the solitude and the absolute grandeur of the jagged Cascades peaks. If you’re prepared to protect these wild and scenic places when you visit, and you’re ready for this trail, then I highly recommend planning a trip here.