State: Washington
Location: Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Length, One-Way: 3.5 miles
Trail Type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 4400 feet
Elevation Change: 1500 feet
Best Season: Summer, Fall
Difficulty: Difficult
Usage: Heavy
Parking: Northwest Forest Pass is required at trailheads.
Mother and son cross a small creek in Washington
Trail Information
One of the most popular hikes on the Mt. Baker District, a brief but steady climb through timber leads to lush, open flower fields, enhanced by stellar views of glacier draped Mt. Baker, elevation 10,781 feet. Switchbacks in second growth forest head uphill for 2.0 miles, where the trail enters the Mt. Baker Wilderness and soon breaks out into an immense meadow, which is usually filled with flowers and insects in July and August. The trail wanders along Skyline Divide for another 1.5 miles, offering views of rivers, forests and countless peaks. Experienced hikers can continue higher on the ridgeline toward Chowder Ridge.
Carry drinking water, as there is none available along the trail except in early summer when enough snow remains to melt for water.
Overnight users are encouraged to use established sites located along the ridge.
The trail is open to stock use from August 1 - November 1 and open to llamas all year long.
Directions
From Glacier:
Travel east on the Mt. Baker Highway 542 for approximately 1.0 mile to Glacier Creek Road (Forest Road 39). Turn right on Forest Road 39. The road almost immediately comes to a junction with Forest Road 37 (Deadhorse Road). Turn left on Forest Road 37 which will parallel the Nooksack River for about 4.0 miles before climbing up to the Skyline Divide Trailhead, elevation 4400 feet, 12.7 miles from the highway. The trailhead and parking area are located at the end of the road.
