CrossNA Expedition Homework
This trip plan is officially a CrossNA trip organized and documented for the community. You can view the original event thread on the CrossNA Forum Post .
Patrick has completed all required prep research including trailhead elevations, net elevation gain calculations, GPX track verification, and detailed turn-by-turn driving logistics.
Basecamp Arrival & Check-In
Friday, October 9, 2026 • Headquarters Setup
60967 Cascade River Rd, Marblemount, WA 98267, United States
+1 360-420-7887
Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm
Saturday, October 10, 2026 • Primary Highlight Hike
Reference Links & GPX
- WTA Guide: wta.org/sahale-arm
- AllTrails: alltrails.com/cascade-pass-sahale-arm
- GPX Track: Download GPX (TinyURL)
- GPS Coords:
48.47547, -121.075
Logistics from Basecamp
Distance: 36 kilometres (~60 minutes drive)
WTA Pro Tip
Save a copy of driving directions before you leave! App-based driving directions aren't always accurate and cellular data connections are unreliable along Cascade River Road.
Driving Directions
Drive Highway 20 to the town of Marblemount. Keep going straight when WA-20 turns left and you will transition directly onto Cascade River Road. Drive 23 miles to the end of the road. You will follow the Cascade River the entire way; the drive on Cascade River Road takes nearly an hour.
Rainy Pass Area Options
Sunday, October 11, 2026 • Cutthroat Pass vs. Maple Pass Loop
Rainy Pass Junction Overview
Both trails start at Rainy Pass using parking areas on opposite sides of Highway 20:
- Maple Pass Loop: South parking lot (paved picnic area on the south side of Highway 20).
- Cutthroat Pass (via PCT): North parking lot (gravel Pacific Crest Trail lot on the north side of Highway 20).
Recommendation: If choosing just one route for October 11, Maple Pass Loop is widely considered the premier choice for prime autumn larch colors!
Cutthroat Pass via PCT
Out & BackWTA: wta.org/cutthroat-pass-pct
AllTrails: alltrails.com/cutthroat-pass-pct
GPX Track: TinyURL GPX Link
GPS Coords: 48.51797, -120.73335
Drive from Camp: 85 km (~80 minutes)
Maple Pass Loop Top Pick
LoopWTA: wta.org/maple-pass
AllTrails Note: Most hikers complete this counter-clockwise for a gradual ascent & better views of Black Peak.
GPX Track: TinyURL GPX Link
GPS Coords: 48.51525, -120.73578
Drive from Camp: 85 km (~80 minutes)
Driving Directions to Rainy Pass Trailhead
From Seattle or Marblemount, drive Highway 20 east towards North Cascades National Park. Approximately 50 miles east of Marblemount, Rainy Pass trailhead is located on Highway 20 (Maple Pass on the south side; PCT lot on the north side). Facilities include privy restrooms.
Park Butte Lookout
Monday, October 12, 2026 • Mt. Baker Views & Fire Lookout
Reference Links & GPX
- WTA Guide: wta.org/park-butte
- AllTrails: alltrails.com/park-butte-lookout
- GPX Track: TinyURL GPX Link
- GPS Coords:
48.70673, -121.81154
Logistics from Basecamp
Distance: 60 kilometres (~75 minutes drive)
Step-by-Step Driving Instructions
- Leave Campground & Head to SR-20: Exit Cascade Wagon Road Campground onto Cascade River Road heading west toward Marblemount (~6 mi). At the junction in Marblemount, turn left onto State Route 20 West.
- SR-20 to Baker Lake Road: Drive west on SR-20 W for ~17 miles (passing Rockport toward Concrete). Just past Milepost 82 (~0.4 mi), turn right onto Baker Lake Road.
- Baker Lake Road to FR 12: Continue on Baker Lake Road for 12.3 miles. Before the river bridge, turn left onto Forest Road 12 (FR 12, gravel).
- FR 12 to FR 13: Drive 3.7 miles on FR 12 to the major intersection with Forest Road 13 (FR 13).
- FR 13 to Trailhead: Turn right onto FR 13 and proceed 5.3 miles to the end of the road at Schreibers Meadow / Park Butte Trailhead.
Alternate & Backup Trails
Researched contingents for weather or trail condition adaptations
1. Thornton Lakes and Trappers Peak
Out & BackLogistics: 27 km (~45 mins drive from basecamp)
Driving: From Marblemount, drive WA-20 E for 11 miles. Turn left onto Thornton Lakes Road between MP 117-118. Follow rough gravel road ~5 miles up to the trailhead.
2. Easy Pass
Out & BackWTA: wta.org/easy-pass
AllTrails: alltrails.com/easy-pass
GPX Track: TinyURL GPX Link
GPS: 48.5879, -120.8029
Logistics: 75 km (~75 mins drive from basecamp)
Driving: From Marblemount, drive WA-20 E for 45 miles. Turn right between MP 151 and 152 onto Easy Pass trailhead road.
3. Blue Lake
Out & BackWTA: wta.org/blue-lake
AllTrails: alltrails.com/blue-lake
GPX Track: TinyURL GPX Link
GPS: 48.5191, -120.6742
Logistics: 100 km (~90 mins drive from basecamp)
Driving: Drive 42.1 miles east from Newhalem on HWY 20. Trailhead is on the right before Washington Pass Overlook.
4. Hidden Lake Lookout
Out & BackWTA: wta.org/hidden-lake-lookout
AllTrails: alltrails.com/hidden-lake-lookout
GPX Track: TinyURL GPX Link
GPS: 48.5141, -121.2219
Logistics: 25 km (~30 mins drive from basecamp)
Driving: Head east on Cascade River Road for 9.5 mi. Turn left onto FR 1540 (Sibley Creek Rd) and proceed 4.7 mi up the rough road to the trailhead.
5. Scatter Lake
Out & BackWTA: wta.org/scatter-lake
AllTrails: alltrails.com/scatter-lake
GPX Track: TinyURL GPX Link
GPS: 48.4348, -120.5201
Logistics: 200 km (~3 hours drive from basecamp)
Driving: Take SR-20 E across Washington Pass to Twisp River Road (FR 44) for ~22 miles. Turn right onto FR 4440 to trailhead.