Cascade Pass packing checklist | Camp Check [Skip to content](#content) [Camp Check](/) [Map](/)[About](/about) Show more details [← Back to map](/) · [Search spots](/#all) Trip details · Cascade Pass # Cascade Pass packing checklist * Activity**Day hike** * Park**North Cascades National Park, WA** * Nearest**Skyline Trail, 120 mi** Thirty-plus switchbacks climb through forest and meadows to a pass ringed by glaciated peaks. ## Trip details Distance 3.7 mi one way Elevation gain 1,700 ft Difficulty Moderate Road Cascade River Road typically opens by late June Best season Late July to September (our pick) ### Source * [NPS North Cascades: Cascade Pass Trail](https://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/cascade-pass-trail.htm) "Our pick" seasons are our own call. ## Packing list Reset Ready to go: **0%** · you have 0 of 14 ### Before you go * **Check conditions.** Closures, weather and trail status change. Look at [NPS North Cascades: current conditions](https://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/conditions.htm) the day you go. * **Tell someone your plan.** Where you’re going, who’s with you and when you’ll be back. [NPS: leave a trip plan](https://www.nps.gov/articles/hiking-safety.htm) * **Know when to turn back.** If steep snow covers the trail and you don’t have an ice axe and the skill to use it, turn back. Cloud can hide the pass quickly. This list is a starting point, not a guarantee. Conditions change, so adjust it for your trip and your group. We earn from qualifying Amazon purchases. [Details](/about#affiliate) Check off what you already have. For anything you still need, there’s a product suggestion when we have a good match. ### Trip-specific: permits and hazards 1. **Road delays**NPS alert: road maintenance may delay traffic on Cascade River Road near the trailhead from October 13.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. Source: [NPS North Cascades: current conditions](https://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/conditions.htm) 2. **Steep snow check**NPS: steep snow sections may require an ice axe as late as July.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. Source: [NPS North Cascades: Cascade Pass Trail](https://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/cascade-pass-trail.htm) 3. **Black bear country**Keep your food with you and give bears room.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. Source: [NPS North Cascades: Cascade Pass Trail](https://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/cascade-pass-trail.htm) 4. **No pets**Pets aren’t allowed on the trail.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. Source: [NPS North Cascades: Cascade Pass Trail](https://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/cascade-pass-trail.htm) ### The Ten Essentials [(NPS)](https://www.nps.gov/articles/10essentials.htm) 1. **Water**About 2–3 L each for the round trip: roughly 1 L per 2 hours.Need itHave it ![Nalgene Tritan Wide Mouth 32 oz](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71x9VbJrhvL._AC_SL1000_.jpg) Nalgene Tritan Wide Mouth 32 oz $17.99 on Amazon About 2–3 L each for the round trip: roughly 1 L per 2 hours. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001N7V1QG/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) Source: [NPS Yosemite: hiking safety (1 quart every 2 hours)](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hikingsafety.htm) 2. **Water treatment**Treat any stream or snowmelt you collect.Need itHave it ![LifeStraw Personal Water Filter](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/610MT9qiRyL._SL1000_.jpg) LifeStraw Personal Water Filter $17.95 on Amazon Treat any stream or snowmelt you collect. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006QF3TW4/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) 3. **Food and extra food**Pack snacks plus extra food in case the day runs long.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. 4. **Navigation: offline map, map and compass**Cloud can hide the switchbacks. Save the NPS map offline.Need itHave it ![Suunto A-10 Compass](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61SgLIozPML._AC_SL1000_.jpg) Suunto A-10 Compass $24.00 on Amazon Cloud can hide the switchbacks. Save the NPS map offline. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TRB49PK/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) 5. **Headlamp**In case you finish after dark. Your phone isn’t a headlamp.Need itHave it ![Petzl Tikka Headlamp](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71sDmxdaMIL._AC_SL1000_.jpg) Petzl Tikka Headlamp $34.95 on Amazon In case you finish after dark. Your phone isn’t a headlamp. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FDLSGR92/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) 6. **Sun protection**Snowfields and open meadows near the pass reflect strong sun.Need itHave it ![Banana Boat Sport SPF 50 Spray (2-pack)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71KsaIMGD7L._SL1000_.jpg) Banana Boat Sport SPF 50 Spray (2-pack) $11.49 on Amazon Snowfields and open meadows near the pass reflect strong sun. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQXX9US/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) 7. **Insulation and rain layer**Mountain weather changes fast at the pass.Need itHave it ![FROGG TOGGS Ultra-lite2 Rain Jacket (men’s)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/613vT-iXDWL._AC_SL1000_.jpg) FROGG TOGGS Ultra-lite2 Rain Jacket (men’s) $22.74 on Amazon Mountain weather changes fast at the pass. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CKCZOZC/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) 8. **First aid kit**For blisters, scrapes and sprains, the most common trail problems.Need itHave it ![Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .5](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81Tk3JSPj0L._AC_SL1000_.jpg) Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .5 $31.95 on Amazon For blisters, scrapes and sprains, the most common trail problems. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DV6PDY9R/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) 9. **Fire starter and emergency shelter**If you get stuck out after dark, a bivvy and a lighter keep you warm until help comes.Need itHave it ![SOL 90% Emergency Bivvy](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81xGw29aTYL._AC_SL1000_.jpg) SOL 90% Emergency Bivvy $25.49 on Amazon If you get stuck out after dark, a bivvy and a lighter keep you warm until help comes. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NC9BLQ5/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) 10. **Knife or repair kit**For quick gear fixes, cutting tape or trimming a blister pad.Need itHave it ![Opinel No. 08 Stainless Folding Knife](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51sHi+R6qwL._AC_SL1000_.jpg) Opinel No. 08 Stainless Folding Knife $16.62 on Amazon For quick gear fixes, cutting tape or trimming a blister pad. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000UGYWTO/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) Prices and stock checked on Amazon on Oct 18, 2026, and may have changed. ## Photos ![Cascade Pass in North Cascades National Park](/photos/cascade-pass-1.webp) Photo: [Jeffhollett](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cascade_Pass_at_North_Cascades_National_Park_in_Washington_2.jpg) · [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0) · Wikimedia Commons ![The Cascade Pass Trail](/photos/cascade-pass-2.webp) Photo: [Jeffhollett](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cascade_Pass_Trail_at_North_Cascades_in_Washington_06.jpg) · [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0) · Wikimedia Commons Coordinates **48.4683°N 121.0600°W** Park **North Cascades National Park, WA** Time now **UTC --:--:--** [](/spots/mirror-lake-campground)[](/spots/skyline-trail)[](/spots/highline-trail)[](/spots/cascade-pass)[](/spots/jenny-lake-campground) Use two fingers to move the map **Affiliate disclosure:** As an Amazon Associate, Camp Check earns from qualifying purchases. Amazon links are affiliate links and don't change your price. **AI disclosure:** Pages are drafted with AI help and checked by a person against the linked NPS/USFS sources and live Amazon listings. Conditions, prices and stock change, so check before you go and before you buy. **Map data:** Elevation from [Terrain Tiles on AWS](https://registry.opendata.aws/terrain-tiles/) (Mapzen/Tilezen), built from USGS 3DEP and NOAA ETOPO1 data, among others. [About](/about) · [Sitemap](/sitemap.xml)