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Deutsch1 Mount Baker in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest is a major outdoor recreation area east of Bellingham in northwest Washington State. It is one of the five major stratovolcanoes in the state that have produced over 200 eruptions in the last 12,000 years. The mountain holds the world record for most snowfall in a single season.
Understand
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History
[edit | edit source]Mount Baker has worn several appellations in its 400,000 years. Long before white settlers came, Nooksack Indians called it quck-sman-ik, meaning "white mountain." The Lummi Indians near Bellingham Bay called it kulshan, meaning "broken off." Presumably, they were referring to the frequent volcanic activity.
English explorer Captain George Vancouver rededicated the mountain while charting the region in 1792. He named it for Lt. Joseph Baker, a young officer in his command who spotted the peak while their sloop "Discovery" was sailing off the coast of Washington, near Dungeness Bay.
Landscape
[edit | edit source]Flora and fauna
[edit | edit source]The North Cascades is home to many species of wildlife, from the common chipmunk to the grizzly bear.
In the summer, alpine flowers bloom along the high-altitude trails. The late snow melt means that the flowers bloom quite late in the year, usually late July or August. Fireweed and Columbine put on some of the most colorful displays.
Climate
[edit | edit source]Temperatures in the Mt. Baker area range from 70s (°F) with clear skies in the summer to upper 20s with rain and snow through the winter. Annual rainfall in the lowlands is 30 to 50 inches. At higher elevations, precipitation ranges from 70 to 140 inches.
In 1999, Mt. Baker set the world record for the most snowfall in a single season: 1,140 inches (2,895.6 cm)!
Get in
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State Route 542, the Mount Baker Highway, is the only major road in the area.
From Bellingham, take Interstate 5 to exit 255, take Sunset Drive east until it becomes WA-542. Follow that highway 56 miles to the ski area, about 90 minutes in good weather conditions.
From the Sumas Canadian border crossing, continue following the road signs as you drive southeast for 45 minutes.
The road is plowed regularly as far as the ski area, so it should be passable to regular cars except during storms. However, chains may be required on two-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles during inclement weather. Vehicles over 10,000 gross vehicle weight rating must carry chains between November 1 and March 31. Check the Washington State Department of Transportation for winter travel information.
Fees and permits
[edit | edit source]All trailheads along the highway, including Artist Point, are regulated by the U.S. Forest Service. If you plan to hike, you need to display a parking pass on each vehicle:
- United States Interagency Annual Pass ($80 online, valid for unlimited use at all United States National Parks, National Forests, and National Monuments for one year)
- Northwest Forest Pass ($30 online, valid for unlimited use at all United States National Forests in the states of Washington and Oregon for one year)
- National Forest Recreation Day Pass ($5 online and valid on one self-selected day only).
Pick up a pass at ranger stations, recreation stores and some local businesses.
- 1 Glacier Public Service Center, 10091 Mt Baker Hwy. Daily 8AM-4:30PM. 24/7 Self-Service Day-Pass Kiosk. Ranger station with information on outdoor recreation.
- 2 Heather Meadows Visitor Center, Mile 55 Mt Baker Hwy. Daily during summer, 10AM-4PM. A small CCC lodge with a gift shop, information desk, and information on the mountain's history.
Get around
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The small communities of 1 Maple Falls and 2 Glacier each have a small grocery store, a few restaurants, lodges, and the last services before the rural highway arrives at the ski resort.
From there, every listing is accessed from WA-542.
See
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- 2 Nooksack Falls, NF-33 (From Glacier, drive 7 mi (11 km), turn onto NF-33 and go about 0.6 mi (0.97 km).). The water flows through a narrow valley and drops freely 88 feet into a deep rocky river canyon. The falls are viewable from the forested cover near the cliffs edge. The falls were featured in the movie The Deer Hunter. Interpretive signage tells the story of a historical scheme to build a power plant at the falls.
- 3 Picture Lake (milepost 55). This popular photograph stop provides a postcard view of Mt. Shuksan in nearby North Cascades National Park, one of the largest and most strikingly-faceted non-volcanoes in the state, reflected in a sub-alpine lake. A short paved walking trail circles the lake.
- 4 Artist Point (at the end of the road). Open when road is snow-free, typically Jul-Oct. This alpine perch serves up competing views of Mt. Shuksan and Mt. Baker. It is the trailhead for many popular hikes. The parking area, as massive as it is, fills beyond capacity on summer weekends, so arrive early (or late).
Do
[edit | edit source]Winter sports
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1 Mount Baker Ski Area, ☏ +1 360-734-6771. Has seven lifts, covering 1500 ft (455 m) elevation gain. The area claims typical snowfall of 647 inches (1,638 cm) per year.
Heather Meadows lodge is a good starting point for gear rental and has direct access to the bunny slope.
Hiking
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The Mt. Baker area is covered with hiking trails, accessible as soon as the snow melts.
- 2 Hannegan Pass Trail (#674) (left on Hannegan Pass Rd (NF-32), follow for 5.3 mi (8.5 km) to parking). 4 mi (6.4 km) one-way with 2,000 ft (610 m) gain to the pass, through the Ruth Creek Valley. In early summer see waterfalls and the occasional avalanche cascade down the steep cliffs of Mt. Sefrit and the Nooksack Ridge. From Hannegan Pass, you can summit Hannegan Peak, climb Ruth Mountain and Icy Peak, or continue on to North Cascades National Park and Copper Ridge.
- Fire and Ice Trail (#684.2) (TH at Heather Meadows VC). 0.5 mi (0.80 km) interpretive loop. This walk tells the story of the distinctive hexagonal columnar andesite formations, the power of glaciers to shape the landscape, and other geological and natural history.
- From Artist Point:
- Artist Ridge Trail (#669) (from Artist Point). A shorter walk that provides a great view of the mountain on an accessible paved loop, with the opportunity to continue up the hill just a little way to find small meadows and late summer ponds. The rocky terrain here feels like the backcountry, less than a mile from your car.
- Chain Lakes Trail (#682) (from Artist Point or Heather Meadows VC). 5 mi (8.0 km) one-way, though most hikers make a 6 mi (9.7 km) loop with the Wild Goose Trail. Sample the variety of landscapes on Mount Baker, with close-up views of the mountain and several sub-alpine lakes perfect for a quick dip.
- Table Mountain Trail (#681) (from Artist Point). A demanding climb.
- Ptarmigan Ridge Trail (#682.1) (from Artist Point). Awe-inspiringly close to the mountain itself.
Climbing
[edit | edit source]Mount Baker is a popular glacier climb for those preparing to climb Mount Rainier.
Mount Shuksan, a favorite amongst mountaineers in the region, is just inside North Cascades National Park, but a popular route starts from Austin Pass.
Buy
[edit | edit source]The only retail is in Maple Falls, Glacier and the ski resort.
Eat and drink
[edit | edit source]At the ski resort are two day lodges with parking and full amenities (White Salmon and Heather Meadows), and a third ski-in lodge ("Raven Hot Cafe") with food.
Sleep
[edit | edit source]- 1 Mt Baker Lodging, 7425 Mt. Baker Hwy, toll-free: +1-800-709-7669, reservations@mtbakerlodging.com. The closest places to the mountain to stay. Most cabins are in and around Glacier (about 30 minutes from the upper parking lot). A variety of different cabins can make for a quiet get away in the woods or a weekend in a cabin for ten with friends. Prices are in the mid to upper range depending on size and amenities.
Camping
[edit | edit source]The U.S. Forest Service maintains two campgrounds along the Nooksack River on WA-542 east of Glacier.
- 2 Douglas Fir Campground (at milepost 36). Has 30 tent sites.
- 3 Silver Fir Campground (at milepost 46). Has 20 tent sites.
Stay safe
[edit | edit source]Do not depend on cell service past Maple Falls. There are many dead spots, even at services along the highway.
When hiking, carry the Ten Essentials, stay on trails, wear adequate footwear and use a topographic map and compass. Always tell a friend your travel plans including destination and expected return time. After hiking, check yourself for ticks which may carry Lyme disease.
Keep wildlife wild. Animals can be attracted to food and other scents. Human food is both unhealthy for animals and can lead to potentially dangerous encounters with bears. Pack out all food waste, and never feed wildlife. Store food, garbage and toiletry items in bear-resistant canisters or other forms bear-safe storage.
Go next
[edit | edit source]- North Cascades National Park — all the hiking and climbing immediately east of the mountain
The nearest major cities:
Explore the other ski resorts in the Washington Cascades:
- Stevens Pass — the biggest terrain within two hours of Seattle. Elevation 3,500–5,089 ft (1,067–1,551 m)
- Mission Ridge — on the eastern slopes, with more sunshine than the other resorts. Elevation 4,570–6,820 ft (1,390–2,080 m)
- Snoqualmie Pass — the closest ski resort to Seattle. Elevation 2,610–5,420 ft (800–1,650 m)
- Crystal Mountain — just east of Mount Rainier, with close-up views of the big mountain. Elevation 4,400–7,012 ft (1,341–2,137 m)
- White Pass — a relaxed atmosphere for all abilities. Elevation 4,500–6,550 ft (1,370–2,000 m)