Baker River
Mar 18, 2009
by
GaliWalker
—
last modified
Mar 18, 2009 08:20 PM
- Type of Outing
- Day hike
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Baker River
- Region: North Cascades -- West Slope
- Agency: Mount Baker Ranger District 360.856.5700
- Trails: Baker River (#606)
- Avg Rating: 4.00
- Be Aware Of
- Snow on trail
- Road to trailhead inaccessible
Baker Lake, on the drive
March 18, 2009: Baker River trail
A lovely, lovely forest, quietly serene in the wintery conditions. It turned out to be a walk, more than a hike, but the experience was thoroughly enchanting.
The drive:
Topping out at just 900ft (or so), the Baker River/Lake trails offered some easy roaming in an area I had yet to visit. What I didn't bargain for was 2ft of snow which put paid to more ambitious plans. The drive to the trailhead was an adventure in itself: about 10mi shy of the trailhead I got cold feet in the increasingly slick conditions on a snowy road, with more snow falling. I turned around and headed over to check out the nearby Baker Lake dam. Not much to see there, but as I returned to the main road I noticed that during my little excursion a snow-plow had driven by. I followed its tracks and was soon near the end of the plowed road, still about a quarter mile short of the main trailhead.
The walk:
I headed off towards the trailhead on 2ft deep snow. Gorgeous trees lined the road, a dignified guard of honor. It was snowing lightly (as it would for the entire trip) and there was not another soul in sight. All I could hear was the crunch of my boots as they would sink about 6in deep in the semi-consolidated snow. The trailhead was a white, unspoilt expanse and views of the surrounding mountains, wreathed with clouds, were quite stunning. It was also the perfect spot to drop down to the river-bed and wander around the pristine surroundings.
Finally, I headed along the unmistakable passage of the Baker River trail for a half mile or so to the suspension bridge across the Baker River. Knowing that there was going to be no chance of a long hike I took my time, enjoying the forest with its cloak of snow and moss. A quarter-mile more, along the Baker River trail, and I turned around, since, by now, I wasn't really going anywhere in particular.
Additional photos: http://www.flickr.com/[…]/72157615503141949
Cumulative stats:
- Distance: 2mi
- Gain: ~0ft
- Hiking/photography time: 2.5hrs
A lovely, lovely forest, quietly serene in the wintery conditions. It turned out to be a walk, more than a hike, but the experience was thoroughly enchanting.
The drive:
Topping out at just 900ft (or so), the Baker River/Lake trails offered some easy roaming in an area I had yet to visit. What I didn't bargain for was 2ft of snow which put paid to more ambitious plans. The drive to the trailhead was an adventure in itself: about 10mi shy of the trailhead I got cold feet in the increasingly slick conditions on a snowy road, with more snow falling. I turned around and headed over to check out the nearby Baker Lake dam. Not much to see there, but as I returned to the main road I noticed that during my little excursion a snow-plow had driven by. I followed its tracks and was soon near the end of the plowed road, still about a quarter mile short of the main trailhead.
The walk:
I headed off towards the trailhead on 2ft deep snow. Gorgeous trees lined the road, a dignified guard of honor. It was snowing lightly (as it would for the entire trip) and there was not another soul in sight. All I could hear was the crunch of my boots as they would sink about 6in deep in the semi-consolidated snow. The trailhead was a white, unspoilt expanse and views of the surrounding mountains, wreathed with clouds, were quite stunning. It was also the perfect spot to drop down to the river-bed and wander around the pristine surroundings.
Finally, I headed along the unmistakable passage of the Baker River trail for a half mile or so to the suspension bridge across the Baker River. Knowing that there was going to be no chance of a long hike I took my time, enjoying the forest with its cloak of snow and moss. A quarter-mile more, along the Baker River trail, and I turned around, since, by now, I wasn't really going anywhere in particular.
Additional photos: http://www.flickr.com/[…]/72157615503141949
Cumulative stats:
- Distance: 2mi
- Gain: ~0ft
- Hiking/photography time: 2.5hrs
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Baker River basin
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Misty Mountains
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Snow patterns
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