Cascade Pass Trail
7 / 7
Once we were fully recharged after a couple of down days, we laced up our boots again for the Cascade Pass Trail, a 7.4 mile hike with about 1,800 feet of elevation gain. After a steady climb through forest, the trail eventually opened up to wide alpine views and towering peaks. Near the top, we spotted two mountain goats and a baby on the trail. They looked like they wanted to continue along the narrow path, but a line of people blocked their way. So they headed uphill instead, munching on grass as they went.
Beyond the pass, the trail continues on toward Sahale Pass, climbing higher into the alpine. Under normal circumstances, we might have kept going. But after Trappers Peak, our legs were not interested in negotiating anything further. We took in the views and crossed a rocky avalanche field and some lingering snow. And then we met Mary resting on a boulder at the end of Cascade Pass.
She’s hiking the Pacific Northwest Trail solo along the long distance route that runs from Glacier all the way to the Olympic coast. Mary is pushing 70 and knocking out 15 mile days as part of her daily routine. She told us she hiked the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail back in the 80s, and casually mentioned that in recent years she hiked 700 miles of the Florida Trail with a broken foot, wearing a medical walking boot. Most of the thru hikers she meets are a third her age.
And what’s the trail name given to her by the younger hikers?
Mary Badass. A true trail legend.
She’s hiking the Pacific Northwest Trail solo along the long distance route that runs from Glacier all the way to the Olympic coast. Mary is pushing 70 and knocking out 15 mile days as part of her daily routine. She told us she hiked the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail back in the 80s, and casually mentioned that in recent years she hiked 700 miles of the Florida Trail with a broken foot, wearing a medical walking boot. Most of the thru hikers she meets are a third her age.
And what’s the trail name given to her by the younger hikers?
Mary Badass. A true trail legend.