Skyline Divide — Monday, Sep. 28, 2015

North Cascades > Mount Baker Area

This trip was on my late summer to-do list but I was about a month late and missed the often mentioned wildflowers. While this was a disappointment, the views we encountered were spectacular. We drove up the forest road which was in good condition, watch out for potholes and the road does narrow near the top. Found ample parking at 10am in a Sunday. The temperature was a chilly 39 degrees so layers this time of year are a good idea... The trail climbs 1500 feet in two miles, quite steeply at first then by a series of switchbacks. You'll then reach a large meadow on the ridge with is an ideal lunch spot or to catch your breath and take in the awesome views of Mt. Shuksan in front of you and Mt Baker (Kulshan) to the right. Continue on the ridge trail over steep knolls and you'll be rewarded with even closer and closer views of Mt. Baker. We turned around after the third knoll but the main guide states there's five knolls. By the time we got back to the car the parking lot was filled so an early start is probably worth it.