One of the most popular tourist destinations in Washington state is Mount Baker. A spur road winds for 62 miles east of Bellingham up Mount Baker and past cool mountain towns and awesome hikes. The Mount Baker Highway is the perfect way to get up close to the mighty volcano. However, be aware that late season meltout may cause some parts of the road to be closed. This is not to discourage you from visiting, however. Instead, plan your visit to coincide with the peak’s melting season.
One of the top places to visit while hiking Mount Baker is Artist Point. Located just beyond the Glacier Mountain Ski Area, this trail offers stunning views of Mount Shuksan and Heather Meadows. To make your snowshoeing trip even more memorable, head to Milano’s Pasta Fresca Market & Deli, a popular hangout. You can get delicious pasta dishes and enjoy Caesar salad in the market before setting out on your hike. For dessert, try the delicious tiramisu.
The town of Lynden has a vibrant cultural scene, including the Capilano Suspension Bridge. It features a 300-foot Cliffwalk and is a popular tourist attraction. For a more scenic tour, check out the nearby Grouse Mountain Refuge, which features orphaned bears. At the end of the day, don’t miss a chance to hike Mount Baker. It’s close to Vancouver and is a great place to visit if you’re in the area.
If you’re looking for a less strenuous hike, head to Ruby Beach. This is just north of the park and is a great option if you don’t want to do too much hiking. You can walk the sandy shoreline or try climbing over driftwood. Another area worth hiking in is the Hurricane Ridge, which has tons of trails and offers spectacular mountain views. You’ll be in awe of the views from the summit.
The area around Mount Baker is drained by the North Fork Nooksack River, the Middle Fork Nooksack River, and Baker River tributaries. The largest bodies of water in the area are Lake Shannon and Baker Lake, formed by two dams on the Baker River. It is not uncommon for a debris flow to occur when there is no volcanic activity. It can cause flooding, and can also be hazardous for those who live nearby.
Although Mount Hood is a popular destination for climbing, the U.S. Forest Service limits how many days climbing companies can be on the mountain each year. These decisions are made based on use-levels and the number of people using the mountain. The Forest Service has set standards for guiding companies and wilderness areas that reflect these social values. The mountain is a popular destination, and the numbers of visitors have increased by almost 25 percent since 2009.
While Mount Baker is not as active as Mount St. Helens, there are still plenty of climbing routes on the mountain. You can try the Colman-Deming route or the North Ridge ice climb from the Heliotrope Ridge trailhead. You can also visit the Park Butte trailhead to climb on the Easton Glacier. Climbers can also take crevasse rescue training on the Easton Glacier, which is a popular destination for summit attempts and ice climbing.