Chain Lakes Loop — Saturday, Sep. 25, 2010

North Cascades > Mount Baker Area

Started on my hike at 0930 am from Table Mountain parking lot above Mount Baker Ski Resort. A slight wind and minimal clouds with good sunshine coming through. I took the trail clockwise which skirts around Table Mountain on the backside. Trail in good shape up to Ptarmagan trail cutoff. You make a right and start to decend down hill though a small patch of snow. Nothing to worry about. The first lake you come to is Mazama Lake. This is the first place you can camp. There are about four spots. Then you head up a muddy hill to you see Iceberg Lake. Very beautiful lake but only saw one iceberg, being that its late summer. I still saw some snow around the backside of the lake but nothing to walk through. Not far around the other end of the lake you come to Galena Lake. These lakes can almost be seen at the same time. Another beautiful place to camp. From there it is up hill. It is not too bad of a hill but do not forget to look back as the views on the way up are spectacular as you can see from one of my photos. The best place for lunch is at the pass. The views looking east to Mount Shuksan and West to Mount Baker are spectacular from my photos. I wished Mount Baker was clear of clouds but you have to take what you can get. You then descend down hill to Bagley Lakes. This is a long way but beautiful waterfalls and views down below make it worth it. Once you get down to the rock bridge past the first lake you need to crossover if you are hiking back up to Table Mountain parking lot. Go up hill to the visitor center. The trail which is called The Wild Goose Trail starts in the outer parking lot. There will be a big sign. Be prepared this is a grueling hike back up hill to the parking lot. You better like stairs because there is a few and they are steep. Not dangerous just steep. You will have to cross the road one time so be careful with kids because the cars don't pay much attention. This is a 7.5 mile loop and every bit worth the hike. If you hike Washginton State make it one of your top ten picks. Check out my videos of other North Cascades hikes on you tube at lmm3181 or click on the link here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Tp-HGYspNQ. Enjoying your hiking as I do!!! Mike