Viewing Plants

Viewing Plants Areas

• Baker Lake / Middle Fork Nooksack

  Drive east on State Route 20 to the Baker River Highway and beautiful Baker Lake. The area around this nine-mile reservoir features camping, boating, fishing, picnicking, hiking and pack and saddle trips.

  Developed campgrounds are located on the western side of the lake.

  The Baker Lake Trail is an easy family hike. It extends along the eastern shoreline, crossing Baker River at the north end of the lake.

  Mt. Baker National Recreation Area (NRA)
  This impressive mountain landscape on the southeast flanks of Mt. Baker’s slopes offers year-round recreational fun. During summer months, hikers and stock parties share trails leading off from the end of Forest Service road 13 or through the Middle Fork and South Fork Nooksack River drainages. Winter recreation includes cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing.

  Explore the Skagit Wild and Scenic River System
  Segments of the Skagit, Sauk, Suiattle and Cascade rivers make up the federally designated Skagit Wild & Scenic River system.

  Baker Lake Sockeye Season

  Sockeye season could open as early as July and fishing enthusiasts will be flocking to Baker Lake. 

  • Parking and guidelines

  Baker Lake / Middle Fork Nooksack Recreation Area Map

• Shadow of the Sentinels Interpretive Site
• Interstate 90 Mountains to Sound Greenway

  Travel east on Interstate 90 to Snoqualmie Pass, where a multitude of recreational possibilities await you. Don't miss downhill skiing at Snoqualmie Pass. Hike for endless miles in the awe-inspiring Alpine Lakes Wilderness.

  Mountains to Sound Greenway
  Drive Interstate 90 east from Seattle to Snoqualmie Pass, stopping along the way to fish for trout in the Snoqualmie River, or meander along the Asahel Curtis Nature Trail, a one-mile walk through stately old-growth fir and cedar. Leave the freeway at milepost 47 and drive the Denny Creek Road, following the historic wagon route used by early settlers to cross Snoqualmie Pass. Fourteen trailheads access more than a 100 miles of trails ranging in difficulty from "almost easy" to "punishing." Hike to scenic ridgetops or peaceful mountain lakes.

  Nature Viewing
  Allow time to walk along the Gold Creek Pond Interpretive Trail, where mountains are often reflected in the pond, providing great photo opportunities.

  The Wilderness Experience
  Snoqualmie Ranger District is responsible for the stewardship and preservation of the Clearwater Wilderness, portions of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and the Norse Peak Wilderness. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy this wild landscape while preserving its integrity and beauty for future generations.

  Recreation Area Map

  National Scenic Byway

• Asahel Curtis Nature Trail 1023
• Gold Creek Pond Trail 1250

  NOTE: There are several "Gold Creek" trails within the North Cascades visit the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest page and make sure you are visiting the correct location!

  This paved accessible trail provides exceptional distant views of the Gold Creek Valley and Chikamin Peak in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. On a clear day you can see the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail traversing the headwaters of Gold Creek. This barrier-free interpretive trail loops around the pond. Enjoy beautiful views of the Gold Creek Valley and take advantage of the ample opportunities for wildlife viewing, especially in the evenings. Find a large picnic area at the pond with tables and fire grates.  Look for signs of beaver activity.  Gold Creek Trail 1314 is nearby.

  WTA Hiking Guide - Trip Reports

• Mather Memorial Parkway (SR 410)

  The historic Mather Memorial Parkway (State Route 410) is the gateway to a recreational haven. On a clear day, enjoy spectacular views of Mt. Rainier. For more excitement, take a spin in the off-road vehicle area at Evans Creek, or zip down the slopes of Crystal Mountain Ski Area. Or if you prefer solitude, escape into the solace of the forest and leave the world behind.

  Mather Memorial Parkway
  Created in 1931, this paved two-lane classic Cascades drive along Highway 410 from Enumclaw to the eastern edge of Mount Rainier National Park presents majestic views of Mount Rainier and surrounding peaks. More than 200 miles of trails accommodate hikers, horses and mountain bikes. Drive, hike or ride to the Suntop Lookout Cabin at the top of Forest Road 7315. Choose a primitive campsite along forest roads east and west of the parkway. In November buy a permit at the Enumclaw office and take the family out to the woods to cut your own Christmas tree. Most forest roads are unpaved and minimally maintained. Cell phones have limited coverage in the mountains.

  Recreation Area Map

  National Scenic Byways

• Dalles Campground
• Mountain Loop Scenic Byway

  Linking Darrington with Granite Falls is the Mountain Loop Highway National Forest Scenic Byway, which was first pioneered in 1891 by miners` dreams. Later developed as a road by loggers and members of the CCC, this road was designated a Scenic Byway in 1991. Today`s roadway passes 55 miles through boom-and-bust town sites and abandoned claims, as well as rushing rivers and glacier-clad peaks. Although the tracks are gone and the daily whistle silenced, today`s traveler can still see remnants of times gone by.

  Discover the Verlot Public Service Center, near the South Fork Stillaguamish River. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1933 to 1942, Verlot`s handsome buildings reflect the architectural style and fine craftsmanship of that era and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Operating seasonally, the center`s employees will help you plan an outing.

  With snow lingering at Barlow Pass through late spring, driving the entire loop is usually limited to late spring through the fall. The road is paved from Verlot to Barlow Pass and from Darrington to the junction with the White Chuck River Road. The middle portion (14 miles) is a single-lane gravel road.

  Recreation Area Map

  National Scenic Byway

• Frog Lake Trail 659
• Mt. Baker Highway (SR 542)

  The Heather Meadows area is always open for use, but is snow covered in the winter and spring. Mt. Baker Highway is only open to Artist Point seasonally.  Check the Washington Department of Transportation website for current conditions.  

  Starting at the northern boundaries of the forest, take a drive on the Mt. Baker Scenic Byway (State Route 542). This paved road starts at the Interstate 5 interchange in Bellingham, Wash., winds along the scenic North Fork Nooksack River, and climbs to an elevation of 5,140 feet to its well-named destination, Artist Point. This area is legendary for its spectacular views of Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan. Stop by the Glacier Public Service Center just east of Glacier at milepost 34 to learn about current forest road and trail conditions.

  Mt. Baker - A State Scenic Highway and National Forest Scenic Byway
  State Route 542 is a Washington State Scenic Highway and a National Forest Scenic Byway. The forest byway begins just east of the town of Glacier as the route enters the national forest, leading travelers to historic Heather Meadows, home of the Mt. Baker Ski Area. Forest roads lead off the main highway into the heart of the national forest with trails accessing the Mt. Baker Wilderness and North Cascades National Park backcountry.

  Four Seasons of Recreation
  During summer months, Mt. Baker's 10,781 foot snow-covered peak rises above the landscape. On a clear day, several vantage points offer spectacular views of neighboring Mt. Shuksan and surrounding slopes of the Cascade Mountain range. Hikers can head out on more than 200 miles of trails and campers can enjoy long evenings in rustic settings. The fall months bring cooler temperatures and lower snow levels, limiting hiking access to the high country. Several side roads are groomed, turning them into a winter playland for snowmobiles and cross-country skiers. During winter months the Mt. Baker Ski Area operates in Heather Meadows at the end of the byway.

  Heather Meadows
  Heather and huckleberry meadows dotting the Heather Meadows landscape near the eastern end of the Mount Baker Scenic Byway, (State Route 542). Glistening lakes nestle between knolls. Ridges bristle with 900-year-old mountain hemlock. Lava flows from Mount Baker have resisted glacial carving and columns of andesite stand like black anvils against the sky. During the summer months enjoy a picnic, stroll the trails and stop by the Heather Meadows Visitor Center for a historical perspective of the area’s rich heritage.

  Recreation Area Map

  National Scenic Byway

• Boundary Way Trail #688
• Canyon Ridge Trail 689
• Church Mountain Trail #671

  The Church Mountain Trail climbs through forest to sub-alpine meadows and a former lookout site. Its southern exposure makes it is one of the first trails in the Mt. Baker Scenic Byway area to melt out for a good early-season hike. Begin hiking at an old logging unit, a good place to see lupine and columbine in early summer, then enter mature forest and climb steeply up numerous switchbacks. Look for calypso orchid along the side of the trail. After three miles of hard climbing, enter green meadows and continue up to the old lookout site on a rocky peak, elevation 6,000 ft. Visitors who come soon after the snow melts, usually early July, may see the meadows carpeted with glacier lilies. At the summit enjoy views of Mt. Baker and Canadian Border Peaks, among others. Use a camp stove if you camp out instead of building a fire. Camp on existing sites and try to limit your impact on fragile vegetation.  

• Damfino Lakes Trail 625

  From the trailhead begin at an old clear-cut, then quickly enter mature forest. Encounter a junction in 0.7 miles. The left fork is Canyon Ridge Trail 689, which connects to Boundary Way Trail 688. Take the right fork to reach Damfino Lakes in 0.1 mile. Tiny lakes are skirted by a puncheon bridge walkway and surrounded by blueberry bushes that turn a blazing scarlet in autumn. Stop and look for young salamanders in the shallows. From here, the trail re-enters forest and climbs uphill for about 1.5 miles, breaking out into an expansive meadow. Walk through extraordinary wildflowers in July and August or wonderful fall color in September and October. Bearpaw Mountain is the prominent peak to the west. At Excelsior Pass, reach the junction with High Divide Trail 630, which enters the Mt. Baker Wilderness and travels along Excelsior Ridge (High Divide) for 4.5 miles east to Welcome Pass, or drops from Excelsior Pass south to meet the Mt. Baker Highway 542 in 4.5 miles. Enjoy views from Excelsior Pass of Mt. Baker, Mt. Shuksan and the Canadian Border Peaks.

  There are a few areas for camping near Damfino Lakes, but the area is also popular with biting insects. When camping in the high country, the best water supply is a spring located about a half mile before reaching Excelsior Pass. There are campsites near this spring. Other water sources are limited to snow fields and small tarns that can disappear in late summer. Campsites with nice views are located on the ridge that runs south from Excelsior Peak. Camping areas can also be found along High Divide. Please camp on snow, rock or bare ground.
   

• Goat Mountain Trail 673

  The south-facing Goat Mountain Trail is one of the first in the Mt. Baker Scenic Byway area to melt, making it a good early summer hike with beautiful flowering meadows. Start by switch-backing steadily up through the forest, catching peek-a-boo looks at the views. At approximately two miles the trail enters the Mt. Baker Wilderness. The maintained trail ends at approximately 5,400' on the shoulder of Goat Mountain. On a clear day, take in panoramic views of icy Price Lake at the base of Price Glacier on Mt. Shuksan. A steep scramble, recommended for experienced hikers only, one mile up to 1,500 feet of elevation leads to the top of Goat Mountain and even more far-reaching views.

• Hannegan Pass Trail 674

  Start out in second growth forest, which quickly opens to grand views of the Ruth Creek Valley within Mt. Baker Wilderness. The trail grade is fairly level for the first mile and then begins a gentle climb for the next 2.5 miles. In early summer see numerous waterfalls and the occasional avalanche cascade down the steep cliffs of the Mt. Sefrit and the Nooksack Ridge to the south. The white dome of Ruth Mountain appears after the first mile. Open views are almost continuous as the trail only briefly enters small patches of forest. Approximately a half mile below the pass is the turnoff to the right for the Hannegan Camp. To continue to the pass, stay left, as the trail steeply switchbacks through sub-alpine forest.

  At Hannegan Pass, encounter a signed junction with Hannegan Peak Trail 674.1, which gains 1,200 feet in one mile to the summit of Hannegan Peak. To the east is an unmaintained mountaineering route leading to Ruth Mountain and Icy Peak. One mile north of Hannegan Pass the trail enters the North Cascades National Park. This is the first leg of the very popular Copper Ridge loop. The trail also accesses Whatcom Pass, Easy Ridge, an extended trip across the North Cascades Picket Range to Ross Lake Reservoir, and other less traveled locations in the North Cascades National Park.

  There is one dispersed campsite with a picnic table and fire ring, and a day-use shelter located at the trailhead but no vehicular access to that site due to a washout this is the only site available at this location

• Hannegan Peak Trail #674.1
• Artist Ridge Trail #669
• Austin Pass Picnic Area
• Bagley Lakes Trail #684.1

  Bagley Lakes Trail #684.1 and a section of Chain Lakes Trail #682 will be CLOSED Thursday August 22, 2024 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  For Unmanned Aerial System (Drone) mapping for planning and analysis of the removal of Bagley Lakes Dam
  Detour available on Wild Goose Trail #684.3
  Contingency Closure Friday, August 23, 2024, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. if weather or technical issues prevent finishing the project on Thursday.

  The Bagley Lakes Trail travels .75 mile one-way along the eastern shore of Bagley Lake. Table Mountain and Mt. Herman tower above this family-friendly lakeshore hike. Waterfalls, wildflowers and spectacular autumn colors grace a landscape shaped by volcanoes and glaciers. Sandpipers and water ouzels are just two of the bird species frequently you can see by this lake. To form a two-mile loop, the trail can link with Chain Lakes Trail or the Wild Goose Trail, which follows the bench above the lake.

• Chain Lakes Trail #682
• Fire and Ice Trail #684.2

  This family friendly trail is one of the first in Heather Meadows to become snow free. Located in the valley between Mount Herman and Table Mountain, this 0.5 mile loop trail winds through meadows punctuated with undersized but very old mountain hemlock—the diminutive products of a very short growing season. Interpretive signs tell the story of the landscape shaped by volcanic eruptions and ice-age glaciers.

• Lake Ann Trail #600

  Beginning at Austin Pass, the Lake Ann Trail enters the Mount Baker Wilderness as it switchbacks down into the headwaters of the Swift Creek Drainage. Bordered by Shuksan Arm to the north and Artist Ridge to the south, you will travel through meadows and wooded areas. Approximately 2.5 miles from the trailhead is a signed junction with  Swift Creek Trail #607.

  As you begin to climb out of the Swift Creek drainage through heather, talus slopes and subalpine forest, Mt. Baker comes into view. You will reach a saddle above Lake Ann. Dropping down toward the lake, you will encounter an unsigned junction. The left fork leads to the popular Fisher Chimneys route for climbers attempting to summit Mt. Shuksan. The right fork leads to lakeside campsites.

  Lake Ann hikers are rewarded with up-close views of Mt. Shuksan and its Lower and Upper Curtis Glaciers. Listen for the thunderous roar that means a chunk of ice has broken off one of the glaciers and is tumbling down the rock face.

• Picture Lake Path

  Picture Lake is the centerpiece of a strikingly beautiful landscape in the Heather Meadows area. The classic alpine vista of Mt. Shuksan mirrored in Picture Lake is one of the most photographed mountain scenes in North America. A backdrop of mountains, wildflowers and colorful plant foliage make this a beautiful, universally accessible family hike.

  You will find interpretive sign panels and a viewing scope installed during the summer months on a paved viewpoint. A platform on the edge of the lake provides a resting spot.
   

  For information about accessible recreation opportunities in Pacific Northwest National Forests, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/r6/accessiblerecreation
• Ptarmigan Ridge Trail #682.1
• Table Mountain Trail #681
• Wild Goose Trail #684.3
• Heliotrope Ridge Trail #677

  This popular trail within Mt. Baker Wilderness leads you from dense old growth forest to flower filled avalanche chutes and over rocky moraines to the snowy alpine zone. The trail crosses Grouse Creek on a stout bridge and then enters dense forest, climbing steadily. The forest begins to thin as you climb higher and huckleberries are abundant along the trail. Just below the tree line is the former site of the Kulshan Cabin. Above the tree line the terrain is rocky with herbaceous vegetation and numerous streams. Mt. Baker looms above. About two miles from the trailhead you will find a trail junction. The right fork steeply climbs 1,000 feet in one mile to the Hogsback Camp at the base of the Coleman-Deming climbing route to Mt. Baker's 10,781 ft. summit. Staying left, the trail reaches the most difficult of the trail’s stream crossings. Hikers not wishing to ford this stream must use the climber’s route if they want views of the glacier. If you cross the creek you will continue east to a lateral moraine deposited by receding glaciers. From this overlook, the Coleman Glacier is an awesome sight, spilling down Mt. Baker's flanks into a jumble of ice. Look carefully down in the ice blocks (seracs), climbers are often seen practicing their ice climbing skills. Alert! Hikers should never venture onto a glacier without proper alpine climbing gear and experience.

  You will encounter several stream crossings along the Heliotrope Ridge Trail. The depth of these streams fluctuates greatly depending upon various conditions such as snowmelt, recent rainfall and time of day. A stream that is easily forded in the morning can become a raging torrent by afternoon. Use extreme caution; poles are highly recommended.

• High Divide Trail 630

  Trail description from west (Excelsior Pass Trailhead) to east (Welcome Pass Trailhead):

  The south facing Excelsior Pass trail section of the High Divide Trail is one of the first in the Mt. Baker Scenic Byway area to melt, making it a good early summer hike. From the Excelsior Pass trailhead the High Divide trail enters Mt. Baker Wilderness and switchbacks steadily up a forested slope, with evidence of old forest fires visible for the first two miles. In four miles you will break out above the timberline and into heavy brush. At 4.2 miles the trail reaches the meadows of Excelsior Pass, with outstanding views of Mt. Baker and the Nooksack Valley. Veering left at the junction of Excelsior Pass leads to Damfino Lakes Trail 625 (hiker only). Stay right at the junction to proceed along High Divide. The trail gradually gains elevation and reaches a junction about a fourth mile from Excelsior Pass. To the left ascend another fourth mile, 5,699 ft. elevation to Excelsior Peak, or stay right to reach a high point of 5,930 ft., approximately two miles from Excelsior Pass. From the 5,930 ft. high point the trail travels up and down 2.5 miles to Welcome Pass. At Welcome Pass turn south and descend steeply 2.5 miles to the Welcome Pass Trailhead.

• High Pass Trail #676
• Horseshoe Bend Trail #687
• Nooksack Cirque Trail #750

  Follow this primitive trail to the North Fork of the Nooksack River to its headwaters in a steep walled cirque at the base of Mt. Shuksan. The first challenge is at the trailhead: Ruth Creek has no bridge. Wade the creek, or cross on a log if one is available. Keep in mind that due to quickly rising water, a log that is crossable in the morning may be under water in the afternoon. In early summer Ruth Creek waters may be too high to wade. Once across the creek, follow the old roadbed for two miles to what was the original trailhead. Another mile through second growth will take you to the Mt. Baker Wilderness boundary, then you will wind through old growth forest for about a half mile and emerge on the bank of the North Fork of the Nooksack River at the end of this well-defined trail.

  After crossing a tributary stream, the route continues by way of either gravel bars during periods of low water or bushwhacking through riparian vegetation alongside the river. The North Cascades National Park boundary is about a mile away. Past the park boundary, you can continue through fierce brush as far toward the cirque as your cross-country travel skills allow. The best time to hike the Nooksack Cirque Trail is in the fall. During cool weather the water levels are low, allowing easier travel on gravel bars. This trail receives limited maintenance.

• Silesia Creek Trail 672
• Skyline Divide Trail 678

  This is one of the most popular hikes on the Mt. Baker Ranger District. From the trailhead you will climb steadily for two miles through forest into Mt. Baker Wilderness and lush, open, flower filled meadows with stellar views of glacier-draped Mt. Baker. The trail wanders along Skyline Divide for another 1.5 miles, offering views of rivers, forests and countless peaks. An unmaintained boot path, recommended for experienced hikers, continues on to follow Chowder Ridge. Flowers and biting insects are abundant in July and August. The bugs abate in September, and the foliage begins to change into fall hues. Carry drinking water, as there is none available along the trail except in early summer when enough snow remains to melt for water.

• Tomyhoi Lake Trail #686

  This trail is within Mt. Baker Wilderness. Gold Run Mining Company workers built this trail in the early 1900s. The trail begins with switchbacks taking you through an avalanche path thick with wildflowers in early summer, then enters timber and climbs until it breaks out to a flat bench in a meadow. The junction with Yellow Aster Butte Trail #686.1 is about 1.5 miles from the trailhead. Stay to the right at the junction and continue upward through the meadow to Gold Run Pass. The steep, pyramid shaped, reddish peak north of the pass is Mt. Larrabee. American and Canadian Border Peaks are also visible. From the pass, the trail quickly loses elevation, and a half mile below the pass reaches a meadow-covered bench known as Coyote Flats. The trail continues to the lake, which is a popular fishing spot. Camping is available near the lake. Avalanche debris and downed trees make the last half mile of the trail to the lakeshore and camps hard to follow.

  Caution: The north side of Gold Run Pass is steep and exposed and can hold snow well into summer. Hikers will need an ice axe and experience traveling on snow to reach the lake before the snow melts.

• Winchester Mountain Trail #685
• Yellow Aster Butte Trail #686.1
• Suiattle River Road - Forest Service Road 26

  The Suiattle River Road is located northeast of Darrington and is a major route into the Glacier Peak Wilderness, accessing the Pacific Crest Trail and roughly 120 miles of hiking trails within the Suiattle River Watershed. The road provides scenic and pleasure driving and allows people to access areas to hunt, search for wild mushrooms, pick berries and gather other forest products. Tribal members use the road to reach areas and resources important for traditional cultural practices and exercise reserved Treaty rights.

  Suiattle River Recreation Area Map

• Pacific Crest Trail #2000 Suiattle Pass