Mt. Baker Ranger District
Mt. Baker Ranger District is the northernmost district of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, encompassing 537,242 acres. It is bordered by Canada to the North, North Cascades National Park to the east, and the Darrington Ranger District to the south. The Mt. Baker Ranger District offers a diverse range of landscapes and miles of forest roads and trails. Most of the district may be accessed by Baker Lake Road #11, North Cascades Highway State Route 20 or Mt. Baker Highway State Route 542.
There are outdoor opportunities for every season and every ability. From world class viewpoints you can drive to and ADA accessible trails to challenging Wilderness hiking and mountaineering, Sno-Parks with groomed trails for motorized and non-motorized winter sports and a developed ski area, a reservoir with lake side campgrounds, and many more opportunities for wildlife viewing, photography, picnicking, fishing, swimming, and boating.
The district is home to the Mt. Baker National Recreation Area, Baker Lake, the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail, and Mt. Baker and Noisy-Diobsud designated Wildernesses. Portions of the Skagit Wild and Scenic River System pass through the Mt. Baker Ranger District.
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The Mt. Baker Highway (State Route 542) is a state Scenic Byway and recreation corridor providing access to recreation sites, hundreds of miles of trail, sno-parks, and several Mt. Baker climbing routes accessed either directly off the Highway or from a Forest Road departing from the Highway. Before heading up the Mt. Baker Highway, you can stop at the Glacier Public Service Center for information or a recreation pass. Heather Meadows Visitor Center and the and the Mt. Baker Ski Area are located near the end of the Highway, just before Artist Point. The sites and trails managed in this corridor by the Forest Service are:
This easy forest hike along the Mt. Baker Scenic Byway is a great family outing for all seasons.
This campground is situated in the forest along the North Fork Nooksack River. Tall Douglas Fir, western red cedar, and western hemlock trees provide abundant shade.
Silver Fir Campground is a smaller campground, offering sites to accommodate tents and RVs. A group picnic shelter for up to 25 people is also available for reservation.
Picnic area near the Silver Fir Campground along Mt. Baker Highway, east of Glacier.
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.
The Fire and Ice Trailhead provides access to Fire and Ice Trail 684.2 and shares a parking area with
This family friendly trail is one of the first in Heather Meadows to become snow free.
A series of sub-alpine lakes, flowering meadows and constantly changing views of Mt. Baker and Mt.
Artist Point is a scenic vista, parking lot, and trailhead at the end of the Mt. Baker Scenic Byway, Washington State Route 542.
Reach this popular trail in the Heather Meadows area from the end of the Mt. Baker Scenic Byway.
This trail is within Mt. Baker Wilderness. Begin hiking at majestic Artist Point toward the glaciated flanks of Mt.
The dramatic andesite plateau of Table Mountain is one of the first mountains you see entering the Heather Meadows area. The hike starts at picturesque Artist Point.
Hannegan Pass Road is a good multi-use snow-play area when snow levels are low enough. The road is often groomed for cross-country skiers and is popular for snowshoers.
This trail is within Mt. Baker Wilderness. Gold Run Mining Company workers built this trail in the early 1900s.
Get to Silesia Creek Trail from Twin Lakes by walking on a mine-to-market road that heads northeast from Twin Lakes. The road enters the Mt.
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 forest hike.
Enjoy views of the Northern Picket Range and Canadian Peaks from Winchester Mountain Lookout. It was built in 1935 and is maintained by Mt. Baker Hiking Club volunteers.
This is a small trailhead with room for about 6 cars located right off of Highway 542.
Provides access to: Damfino Lakes Trail 625 which accesses Excelsior Pass and Mt.
From the trailhead begin at an old clear-cut, then quickly enter mature forest. Encounter a junction in 0.7 miles.
This is the only trail in the Mt. Baker Ranger District allowing mountain bikes and motorcycles.
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.
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.
Mt. Baker Ski Area operates under permit with the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The U.S.
The Mt. Baker Wilderness is 117,900 acres, created as part of the Washington State Wilderness Act of 1984. Mt.
The North Ridge Route, like the Coleman Glacier Route, begins three miles along the
Located in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest approximately 13 miles east of Glacier, Washington on the Mt.
Glacier Creek Sno-park is located in the Mount Baker/Methow region. This Sno-park features 20 miles of motorized snowmobiling trails.
Located in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest approximately 13 miles east of Glacier, Washington on the Mt.
Located in Heather Meadows, this picnic area provides views of mountains, sub-alpine vegetation and occasional wildlife.
The biggest draw for this recreation corridor is Baker Lake, a nine-mile reservoir around which a number of campgrounds and other recreation sites are clustered. The Mt. Baker Recreation Area, Pacific Northwest Scenic Trail and Mt. Baker climbing routes are also accessed from this corridor. The following recreation sites and trails managed by the Forest Service are accessed either directly from Baker Laker Highway (Forest Road 11), the paved road which follows the west side of Baker Lake, or other graveled forest roads that depart it:
Baker Lake is a large freshwater lake that is home to several species of fish, including kokanee, bull trout, rainbow trout, sockeye salmon and mountain whitefish.
Provides access to: Shadow of the Sentinels Trail 623, an accessible interpretive trail winding through dense forest growth.
This popular destination campground is situated on the western shore of Baker Lake.
Bayview Campground and Bayview North Group Site (approximately 1/4 mile north from the campground) are located along the Baker Lake Road approximately 1
Lower Sandy is a beautiful first-come, first-serve campground on the shore of Baker Lake. It is accessed by a two-mile access road that is open seasonal
This smaller-sized campground is situated in a lovely forested setting along Boulder Creek in the Baker Lake basin.
This popular campground is situated mid-way up the lake basin along the western shore of Baker Lake, approximately 19 miles from State Route 20.
This smaller sized campground is situated in a lovely old-growth forested setting along Park Creek in the Baker Lake basin.
Shannon Creek Campground is situated on a forested slope leading down to the shores of Baker Lake.
Immerse yourself in this rainforest hike and experience this unique ecosystem.
Provides access to: Anderson-Watson Lakes Trail 611 which accesses
This easy, short hike to a picturesque subalpine lake is great for families. Begin in an old clear-cut and quickly enter the forest.
Begin at the trailhead for Blue Lake Trail 604 and follow the trail for 0.2 miles to the junction for Dock Butt
Climbers use this primitive trail as an approach to Mt. Baker Summit which is within Mt. Baker Wilderness.
This trail is accessed from Shannon Ridge Trailhead. trail is frequently used by climbers attempting to summit 9,127-foot Mt.
Enjoy incredible views of Mt. Baker and its glaciers throughout the length of this trail.
The Mt. Baker Wilderness is 117,900 acres, created as part of the Washington State Wilderness Act of 1984. Mt.
Noisy and Diobsud Creeks flow through this wilderness with ferns, mosses, salal, elderberry and salmonberry growing along the banks.
Giant ancient trees occupy the forest in this drainage, habitat for federal threatened species such as the Northern Spotted Owl, Marbled Murrelet and Bull Trout.
Anderson Creek Sno-Park is located in the Mount Baker/Methow region. This Sno-Park features 14 miles of motorized snowmobiling trails.
Enjoy breathtaking views of Cascade peaks from this old fire lookout site. The 1930s lookout was removed in 1964.
The approach along the Boulder Ridge Trail is difficult because the trail is only maintained about two mile
This trailhead is accessed from Sauk Mountain Road (Forest Road 1030), which is steep but passable for most cars.
This trail begins and ends in high mountain meadows offering wildflowers and spectacular vistas the entire length.
The Marblemount boat launch is available for all motorized and non-motorized boats for white water rafting, fishing or nature viewing along the Skagit River.
Mineral Park campground about 15 miles from the town of Marblemount, and about 7.5 miles past Marble Creek Campground along the gravel Cascade River Road.
Cross the Skagit River bridge at the town of Marblemount and continue approximately 8 miles along the graveled Cascade River Road to the Marble Creek Campground.
Follow the northeast side of Diobsud Creek where the trail ends just above a 200-foot scramble down to the creek.
This trail is very steep and gains elevation rapidly with continual switchbacks the first 2.5 miles. Find the first campsites at 2 miles near a creek.
The Lookout Mountain-Monogram Lake Trail #743 is very steep and gains elevation very rapidly, and is usually snow-free by late July.
Begin hiking in the forest and climb quickly the first mile. You will find camping sites on a few small sections of level ground under the trees.
Hidden Lake Lookout was built in 1931 and stands at 6,850-foot elevation. The lookout ridge marks the boundary of North Cascades National Park and Mt.
Bear Lake is a short third of a mile hike from the road and is a good destination for beginning backpackers.
Note: This trail is not recommended. The Mineral Park Fire and flooding damaged the South Fork Cascade River Trail 769 and FS road 1590 in 2003.
Follow State Route 20 east and view one of the largest populations of bald eagles in the United States along the Skagit River.
Finney Creek Sno-park is located in the Mount Baker/Methow region. This Sno-park features 63 miles of motorized snowmobiling trails.
Recreation Sites
Anderson Butte Trail 611.1
Anderson Creek Sno-Park
Anderson-Watson Lakes Trail 611
Artist Point Trailhead
Artist Ridge Trail 669
Austin Pass Picnic Area
Bagley Lakes Trail 684.1
Bagley Lakes Trailhead
Baker Lake
Baker Lake South Trailhead
