Seattle | Outdoor Hiking

📍 Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm Trail This trail is truly the "ceiling" of hiking—no exaggeration. I believe it ranks among the top 3 trails in Washington State, especially during autumn, when the views are absolutely unbeatable. Of course, Washington State has many stunning trails, such as 📍 The Enchantments, 📍 Pea Soup Lake, and 📍 Ptarmigan Ridge, making it incredibly difficult to break into the top 3. Some trails offer breathtaking scenery but are either too challenging or too long, putting them out of reach for non-outdoor enthusiasts. 🔍 There are two routes on AllTrails: A) The easier Cascade Pass Trail, 7 miles with an elevation gain of 1,800 feet. Suitable for parents and children, the views it offers are well worth the effort. B) The more demanding Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm Trail, which extends to 14 miles with an elevation gain of 4,200 feet if you reach the base of Sahale Glacier. 🐻 Along the way, you can spot various animals, making it feel like a vast wildlife sanctuary: Bears 🐻 preparing for hibernation, busily devouring huckleberries 🫐 (Image 8 below). The iconic "AHH‼️" expression marmot (coincidentally, I was wearing a Marmot brand jacket that day) (Image 11). Mountain goats 🐑. Squirrels 🐿️ . 🥾 The first 3 miles are relatively easy, winding through forest switchbacks. Once you emerge from the trees, the views immediately open up. Continuing further, you’ll reach the Cascade Pass Trail junction. Beyond that, the trail ascends gradually along the mountainside (Image 3 below). Eventually, you’ll reach Doubtful Lake, with plenty of photo opportunities along the way. 🍂 Due to wildfires, this trail was closed all summer and has only been open for two weeks. As a result, it was packed last weekend, with traffic jams on the trail rivaling the popularity of Maple Pass. #SeattleLife #HikingTrailRecommendations#travel#Seattle guide#trip diary#Seattle life#trekking