This was an Everett Mountaineers ski trip. Our group included Chippie, Paul, Cathy and her buddy Cedar, E Mo, and Mo. This is a fabulous trip and I do it every year. However, this year we are able to drive up much further than any time I've ever done it in the past. In fact we probably started our trip about three miles from the Watson/Anderson Lakes trailhead, rather than the usual 8 miles or so from this point. This could be a negative except that there are much more adventures to be found beyond. The snowmobilers have a track that goes past the summer trailhead about 1/4 mile on the main road, and then continues off the road into a beautiful area of open meadow with fantastic views of Anderson Butte, Mt. Baker, and Watson Peak. Things got a bit challenging with the current snow conditions, but were well worth the effort. We had lunch in an open area with fantastic views of Baker and Anderson Butte. We estimated that we stopped about 3/4 miles from Anderson Lakes, but there are some extreme downs and ups to get there and with limited time we decided to call it a day. Still, I can't imagine it getting much better. The snow softened up a bit for the trip down, but in the shadows was still boiler plate. The ski season is not yet over for those who want it bad enough! There are a few trips left for us die hards!

We felt like a change from our usual 2 hr driving radius around Seattle, so we headed to the Mt Baker region for some new scenery. We were very happy with what we found, even before we reached the trail. The drive from Baker Lake to the trailhead included some of the scenic highlights of the trip, with impressive views of the dome of Koma Kulshan increasing as the road zigzagged its way steadily up the hillside.

There were only five vehicles at the trailhead when we arrived at 10.15am, and that included the ranger, who was checking for forest passes (one car got ticketed). The trail was in good shape, a little icy to begin with, and then muddy in a few spots later in the day once the ice had thawed. Although there was a lack of fellow hikers, after we passed the turn-off to Anderson Butte and the trail opened up, we had the calls of the pikas to keep us company as we walked.

At the western Watson Lake we came across a couple camping, and could smell a small fire, despite a sign just metres away saying "no campfires". We moved on, and had lunch at the eastern lake. Both lakes had equally perfect reflections of Mt Bacon and the surrounding hillsides. On the way back we again passed the campsite, this time minus the campers, but with embers from their fire still smoldering - we could smell it quite strongly from the opposite side of the lake. It looked like they were burning their trash, as the embers contained broken glass. Made me hope they were the ones whose car the ranger ticketed.

At the notch above the junction to Anderson Lakes, we were treated to the sight of half a dozen pikas scampering around the rocks gathering material for their winter dens. On the way back I did a quick dash up to the old Anderson Butte ridge lookout site for superb 270 degree views of the North Cascades. Just before re-entering the forest on the main trail, I noticed some fresh bear scat on trail boardwalk. We also saw a grouse on the trail just before reaching the parking lot.

Apart from the relative solitude compared to hikes closer to Seattle, the other thing I noticed was how very quiet it was whenever we stopped. I recall only hearing one plane flying over during the hike, and wondered if the regular drone of aircraft overhead was something I'd grown used to further south so that I noticed its absence on this hike.

I got an early start for this hike and made my way to the trailhead via the sometimes bumpy forest road. The trail is in great condition and other than a couple of muddy spots, it was easy to hike. Originally, I was just going to head to the lakes, but opted to take the side trip to Anderson Butte. I was glad I did as the views of Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan were just incredible. I highly recommend doing this little side trip.

I met a couple along the way and they recommended that I continue on to the second Watson lake as they had just spent the night there. Another good extension to the trip as the second lake is definitely the nicer of the two. Plus, you get some great views of Bacon Peak from the second lake. Again, the trail was in good condition. The only issue was there were still a fair amount of mosquitoes, but not that bad. There were several families coming and going to and coming from the lakes and it seems like this is a good place to bring children for an overnight. I had never hiked in the Noisy-Diobsud wilderness before and it was a real treat!