This was a dual mission day: stock the freezer with raspberries for jam and get the dog and myself into some big trees, maybe with some big views.
Right off the Mt. Baker Hwy just outside of Nugents Corner (3957 Mt Baker Hwy) is Shumway Berries U-Pick (raspberries, blackberries, tayberries, marionberries; $15 / 5lb bucket; dawn to dusk; pay with cash, Venmo or PayPal). 10 lbs of raspberries and blackberries later, safely tucked into coolers, we were ready to find some woods.
It was overcast and not burning off, and while I'd debated Heliotrope, I wasn't excited about the long, potholed road and water crossings if there was slim chances of a view (as it turns out, a trip report from yesterday showed the trail topping out over the clouds). Same with the long drive to Artist Point, so we opted for the closer in woodsy walk along the Nooksack.
This is not one of the more dramatic hikes in the area but has some solid upsides going for it:
- Close in: just a couple miles past Glacier
- Easy access: right off of 542 across the road from the Douglas Fir Campsite
- Spectacular views of the Nooksack -- impressive when it's going big like it is now, and the river is loud enough to drown out any road noise
- Exceptionally well maintained trail
- Not crowded which is getting harder to find
- Enough ups and downs to feel like you've done something but not much by anyone's standards
- Good option for off-weather days (either overcast so no point chasing views, or wanting shade on hot sunny days)
- Plenty of spots to drop down to the river to get your paws wet
And as ever, take-out from the North Fork Brewery completes any good day in the area.
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