Mount Baker

Mount Baker and The North Cascades National Park

The North Cascades National Park, in Washingston State, offers many single day to weekend trip (or longer) hiking and mountineering trip options from beginner to expert level.

Getting There

• Starting in VANCOUVER, BC on GRANVILLE ST

1. go < 0.1 mi
2. Turn Right on BROADWAY - go 1.8 mi
3. Turn Right on KINGSWAY - go 0.2 mi
4. Bear Left on E 12TH AVE - go 1.6 mi
5. E 12TH AVE becomes GRANDVIEW HWY - go 1.9 mi
6. Take ramp onto HWY-1 EAST - go 39.4 mi
7. Take exit #92/HWY-11 - go 0.3 mi
8. Turn Left on SUMAS WAY - go 1.9 mi
9. Bear Right on DOUGLAS ST - go 0.2 mi
10. Bear Right on CHERRY ST - go 0.7 mi
11. Turn Left on FRONT ST[WA-547] - go 0.5 mi
12. Continue to follow WA-547 - go 10.3 mi
13. Continue on WA-542 - go 11.4 mi

Approximate time: 2 hours

Hiking Trails

For a detailed list of the hiking trails and their current condition see: Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Website [1]

The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest has many different hiking areas through out the park including Heather Meadows and North Fork Nooksack which provide beautiful views of Mount Baker.

A quick stop into the Vistors Center (open daily from mid-April through October and open Saturday and Sunday from November - April) is necessary to purchase a Northwest Forest Pass for each vehicle parked at the trailhead ($5/day)

Going For the Weekend

Mount Baker offers many designated camping spots which vary from first come, first serve to needing reservations. Dispersed campsites (non-designated campsites) are allowed, and free, as long as they are not within a 1/4 mile of the trailhead. No pass is required although maximum stay is 14 days per one month period. Contact the Forest Services to get up-to-date campfire restrictions.

As per any trip out into the mountains make sure to give someone (and not the person you are hiking with) your expected arrival back and the exact area/trails you will be travelling on.

Reaching Mount Baker Summit

There are two common approaches to summit Mount Baker

• Route 1 - EASTON GLACIER
• Route 2 – The North Ridge

For details on each approach, route, and decent see Jan Taug's website [2]

What NOT to Forget

• Passport or ID + Birth Certificate (you are going into the USA)
• You are not allowed to bring items like fruit and meat into the USA. Keep this in mind if you're planning to pack a lunch. If you TELL them you have a packed lunch the border patrol will take it and enjoy it! (Legally, don't bring a lunch, not-so-legally don't mention you have a packed lunch!)
• Some trails have access to fresh water, lots don't. Bring plenty of water and/or filteration devices.
• Some USD or a VISA card (very few places in the USA take debit) to purchase the Northwest Forest Pass.

Links

Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest [3] Glacier Routes - Mount Baker [4]

Images

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