On the west slopes of the Cascade Range, with Mount Rainier National Park on one side and the Canadian border on the other lie the vast stretches of Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest. Amidst this pristine wilderness, rising 10,781 feet above the ground and dominating the skyline on the east of Bellingham, is the majestic Mount Baker.
Thanks to its strategic location, Mt Baker has a lot going for it - great weather, profuse wildlife and breathtaking natural beauty. The mountain stands in the way of the winter storms that lash inland from the Pacific and up the Strait of Juan de Fuca, accounting for the copious amount of snowfall it receives in the winters. Mt Baker experiences the highest snowfall among all the Cascades. Water from the mountains and spring run-offs make this area highly fertile and verdant.
Renowned for its stunning scenic beauty, magnificent slopes and numerous mountain trails, Mount Baker is one of the best tourist spots in the Pacific Northwest. As such, it plays host to a series of fun and adventure activities like skiing, hiking, climbing, river rafting and fishing. It's a year-round getaway favorite, with activities galore in spring, summer and winter.
Mount Baker in Spring
From March to May, fresh green shoots push up from the earth and the entire valley is transformed. Lush spring vegetation carpets the mountain sides. Migratory birds are back to build their nests and the forest is teeming with a varieties of wildlife. This is the time to enjoy back-country trekking and some amount of spring time skiing and snowboarding. The warm sunshine that bathes the valley makes canoeing and fishing in the Silver Lake extremely enjoyable. Tourists can go looking for wild strawberries, mushrooms, thimbleberries, and for delicate flowering plants like bleeding hearts.
Mount Baker in Summer
Come summer and the slow line recedes further to allow lovely carpets of color to enfold the mountain sides. Silvery torrents beat down the slopes and breathtaking waterfalls become a common sight. Spring runoffs and silt from the glaciers make the waters of Nooksack blue-green in color. By the middle of summer, the road to Artist's Point and Austin Pass finally opens up to offer stunning vistas of Mt Baker and Mount Shuksan. Evenings are magnificent under starry skies that fill with meteor showers in August.
In summer, more than 100 miles of mountain trails open up and there are many opportunities for backpacking, mountain biking, climbing, horse riding and sightseeing. Some of the most spectacular trails include Heather Meadows, Artist Ridge and the area around Bagley Lakes. Camping is another favored activity at this time of the year. If you like fishing, try your hand at landing some trout at the Skagit River. The river is chockfull from late summer to early winter.
Mount Baker in the Fall
By late August, the first signs of oncoming winter begin to make themselves felt. The breeze is cool and the animals prepare for the winter ahead. In September, one can view the valley glowing in the flaming colors of autumn. It's a great time to explore the area or go for a drive. However, the window of opportunity is rather small because snowfall starts at the top of the mountain by Late October.
Mount Baker in Winter
By the end of November, winter has finally arrived and Mount Baker gets busy with what it does best - winter tourism. The area is famous for snowboarding, skiing and cross-country skiing. The skiing area is suited for skiers of all levels, particularly for those who love the adrenalin rush of challenging slopes. Mount Baker has a total vertical rise of 1500 feet.
Other activities for the winter include snowshoeing, low elevation hikes, watching the Noosack Falls (which is torrential at this time of the year), bald-eagle watching and winter steelheading.
As you can see, there's not a moment of boredom or inactivity at Mount Baker. Fortunately for visitors, the rustic Mount Baker accommodates its visitors very well. Its growing popularity ensures that there are great choices when it comes to accommodation. Whether you are looking for mountain facing cottages, secluded ski lodges, charming inns, regular hotels or fully furnished Mount Baker cabins, you'll find something to suit your taste - and your budget - at Mount Baker.
