Mount Baker Wild is an all-volunteer group working to protect Mount Baker's spectacular wildlands. Many people assume that some of our most popular hiking destinations are protected as park or wilderness, but amazingly, they aren't! We offer these hikes so that others who care about wilderness can see for themselves why we think these special places deserve protection. The hikes are free and carpools are encouraged. Riders are asked to chip in proportionately on gas.
All hikes are limited to a maximum of 12 people, including the leader(s). Call the number listed for more details and to reserve your spot—first come, first served. A waiting list will be kept for hikes that fill up and additional hikes may be offered. If you need to cancel, please do so as soon as possible so others have an opportunity to take your place. Hikes will generally go ahead even in less-than-ideal weather. If it's stormy, the leader may cancel or suggest an alternative destination that's less exposed to the weather. Since mountain weather can change rapidly, always bring raingear and warm clothing.
Hikes generally depart Bellingham around 8:00 am, but check with the leader to be sure, and for directions to the carpool meeting place, as well as more information on what to bring. You don't have to be a star athlete to participate, but it helps if you are reasonably fit and have some previous hiking experience. If you can hike up to Fragrance Lake in the Chuckanuts in under 1.5 hours without feeling exhausted, you are probably in good enough shape for most of the hikes listed. Watch for more hikes on the website (see www.mtbakerwild.org).
| Sturdy boots or lightweight trail shoes with lug soles | Insect repellent |
| Shorts & t-shirt are okay in good weather (NO cotton or denim jeans!) | Sun block/lip balm |
| Day pack | Sweater or jacket | Foam pad to sit on | Sunglasses |
| Lunch & snacks | Gaitors (check with leader) | Pocket knife | Small first-aid kit |
| 2 liters water | Sun hat | Whistle | TP & personal items |
| Flashlight or headlamp | Rain gear | Camera/binoculars (optional) | Map & compass (optional) |
| Sun, Jun 22 | Baker River | Easy hike to the big bridge over the Baker River then up the river in old-growth forest to Sulphide Creek. Expect woodland wildflowers, some giant cedars, and a few downed trees to clamber over; about 5 miles round trip, 200 feet elevation gain. Leader: Helene Irving, 360-384-1618. |
| Sun, Jul 6 | Baker Lake | Easy hike along the Baker Lake Trail among old-growth forest, woodland wildflowers, and cascading streams; about 6 to 8 miles round trip, 100-300 feet elevation gain. Leader: Steve Irving, 360-384-1618. |
| Sun, Jul 20 | Church Mountain | Strenuous hike through forest and sweeping meadows to the old summit lookout site and full panorama; 8.4 miles round trip, 4,100 feet elevation gain. Leaders: Renetta and Debbie, 398-8939. |
| Sun, Jul 27 | Sauk Mountain | Classic "Sound of Music" summer trek, steep but not too long, and thick with wildflowers on the way to famous views of the Skagit River and North Cascades; about 4 miles round trip, 1,200 feet elevation gain. Leader: Jim Davis, 715-3458. |
| Sat, Aug 2 | Cougar Divide | Moderate hike in forest to a flowery meadow ridge with great views; about 7 miles round trip, 1,200 feet elevation gain. Leader: Ken Wilcox, 733-7014. |
| Sat, Aug 2 | Mount Baker Wild Overnight Camp and Campfire | We'll be car camping after the hike to Cougar Divide and everyone is welcome to join us, even just for the evening. If you like, join the next day's hike to Bearpaw Mountain. Leader: Ken Wilcox, 733-7014. |
| Sun, Aug 3 | Bearpaw Mountain | Moderate hike to Church Lake and the open ridge below Bearpaw Mountain with panoramic views; about 4 to 5 miles roundtrip, 1,300 feet elevation gain. Leader: Ken Wilcox, 733-7014. |
| Sat, Aug 16 | Boundary Way and Cowap Peak | Moderate hike that quickly reaches wildflower meadows and a possible summit perch; about 5 miles round trip, 1,400 feet elevation gain. Leader: Hudson Dodd, 756-0219. |
| Sat, Aug 23 | Skyline Divide | A moderate hike in wildflower season to classic meadows below craggy Chowder Ridge; about 6 to 8 miles round trip, 1,600 feet elevation gain, depending on how far we go. Leader: Helene Irving, 384-1618. |
| Sat, Sep 13 | Anderson Lakes | Easy hike to small and lovely lakes for berries and views of Mount Baker; 3 to 5 miles round trip, 1,200 - 1,800 feet elevation gain. Leader: Hudson Dodd, 756-0219. |
| Sat, Sep 27 | Damfino Lakes / Excelsior Pass | Moderate hike along the northwest edge of Mount Baker Wilderness to wildflower meadows and grand views; about 5 miles round trip, 1,000 - 1,400 feet elevation gain. Leader: Debbie and Renetta, 398-8939. |
Mount Baker Wild is supported by these and other organizations:
Mount Baker Wilderness Association • North Cascades Audubon Society
North Cascades Conservation Council • Bellingham Mountaineers
Sierra Club–Mount Baker Group • Washington Wilderness Coalition
For more information, see www.northcascades.org or our links page.