MT. BAKER
There is lots of hiking around Mt. Baker, just don't expect to hike 'around' the mountain as the terrain will frustrate the heartiest of explorers. Blame the dozen glaciers that have carved deep gashes into the side of the mountain. However in between these icy fingers are high ridges which make great day hikes.
The north east face of Mt. Baker is dominated by the Park Glacier and is probably the best known aspect of the mountain. It can be seen from a drive up viewpoint, called Artist's Point, and since the road is paved, access is a breeze. The last 2.6 miles of this road is only open in the summer but the rest of the road, up to the ski resort, is open all year. When the snow melts it's here, at Heather Meadows that you find Picture Lake and it's famous reflection of Mt. Shuksan.
There are a lot of trails that eminate out from this area but the 600ft jaunt up to the top of Table Mountain (view pictured above, report) is the best of the shorter ones. Lingering snow deters most of the windshield crown from venturing too far but those with the proper snow travel gear & experience can head strait towards the mountain along Ptarmigan Ridge. report report2 The trail peters put after five miles (& 1000ft) but expands your views of the Rainbow Glacier (right)
Another alternative is to head in the direction of North Cascades National Park and Mt. Shuksan's Lower Curtis Glacier where four miles of ups & downs (1900ft) bring you to Lake Ann report. On all the trails in this area views of Baker are best in the morning and those of Shuksan are best in the afternoon.
The High Divide has some of the best views of Mt. Baker (right) its a ridge on the far side of the Nooksack River directly north of the mountain. Only part of the ridge is officially maintained trail but other obvious routes exist.
Church Mountain is the site of an old lookout on the far western edge of this ridge. It has the distinction of being one of the first trails to melt out and it noted for ahealthy population of glacier lillies. (4.2 miles 3600) Excelsior Pass is east of Church Mountain, it melts out early as well and is used by stock. (4.5 miles 3500ft) The Damfino Lakes trail also attains the ridge at Excelsior Pass but is much shorter and has less elevation gain. (3 miles 1100ft) report Welcome Pass is another trail used by stock and is the eastern end of the official High Divide Trail. (2.5 3000ft)
Yellow Aster Butte (left) has awesome fall colour. report The High Divide ridgeline curves northward and at one time the trail to these tarns followed that route. Now access is via the the east from the road leading to Twin Lakes, it's 3.6 miles & 1200ft to this popular camping spot, the Butte itself is another 500ft up from there.
Mt. Winchester's trailhead is at the end of the road to Twin Lakes, one of the few that requires a high clearance vehicle. There is a lookout on top and it's reached by a short (under two miles) but steep (1321ft) trail. report Another trail (High Pass) branches off this one and climbs (1460ft) up to a shoulder of Mt. Larrabee (3.5 miles from Twin Lakes) Another great fall hike. report
Goat Mountain is the site of a former lookout, it lies directly north of Mt. Shuksan and provides one of a kind views of Price Glacier & Price Lake. report (3 miles 1500ft) Hannegan Peak (5 miles, 3000ft) is further east and marks the border of North Cascades National Park. The summit has marvelous 360 degree views and would be an wonderful place to camp. report Ruth Mountain on the south side of Hannegan Pass is a popular climb and provides a bird's eye view into the Nooksack Cirque. You can get a worm's eye view from the cirque itself following a trail then gravel bars for six miles.
Boaters on Baker Lake would enjoy the south east face of the mountain but hikers can take in these views as well on two lesser known but worthwhile trails. Rainbow Ridge (right)isn't an official trail but it's an obvious one. The view from the parking area is spectacular and the one two miles in is even better. report On the downside the route is pretty rough and the ridgewalk though long doesn't improve as you approach Baker. Crampons are required to get to the full view of the lower Park Glacier. Boulder Glacier is an official trail but one that sees little if any maintenance. Notoriously muddy, it's 3.6 miles & 3100ft to the glacier.
The south west face is the closest one to Seattle and it sees a lot of foot traffic. From the trailhead at Shreibers Meadow the Scott Paul trail gains 1800ft on its way to the Squak Glacier while the Park Butte Trail gains 2100ft enroute to the Easton Glacier. These can be combined to form an 8 mile loop although that isn't the most scenic option. The best view can be had by going directly to the Park Butte Lookout (3 miles) and to get a closer look at the Easton & Demming glaciers (left) ascend the climbers route on the Railroad Grade moraine. report
Two trails that really stand out approach Baker's north west face. Heliotrope Ridge is the best hike for people who love glaciers. Stay to the left (a climbers route veers right) to an overlook (below) with views of the Coleman & Roosevelt Glaciers that are both expansive and yet close enough that you can touch the seracs. (3 miles 1900ft) report, report2
Skyline Divide is home to a summer flower show. Three miles of good hiking (2150ft gain), on a well maintained trail are all it takes (expect lots of company). However you can ditch the crowds easily because most don't go past the first knoll. The ridge keeps going (right) and at the end of the divide you have the option of scrambling up Chowder Ridge for miles of more exploring. report
More Photos
Q
