Date: Sunday August 20, 2006
Meeting Location: Guildford North Lot 105 Ave at 152 St
Meeting Time: 9:00 am for 9:30 am departure
We'll head out to Sumas to cross the border at the Huntingdon crossing, then take the twisty roads south and then east on SR 542 the Mount Baker Highway to the Alpine area of Artist point which is above the 5000' level of the mountain. After enjoying the scenery, we'll head back down the mountain to have lunch at The Glen
Please let us know you are coming by registering for this event via karelo or RSVP to events@bmwccbc.org if you plan on coming along for this trip, as we need to plan for lunch counts.. Please note you will need proper identification to cross the border into the US. Also a $5 US fee applies to visiting the park at the alpine Meadows.
| Location: 48.79N, 121.82W Elevation: 10,800 ft (3285 m) Mt. Baker is an isolated stratovolcano in northern Washington. It is the northernmost of the Cascade volcanoes in the United States. Most of the summit of the volcano is covered by glaciers. Because of this, the Indians gave Mt. Baker a name meaning "White Steep Mountain." |
| Mt. Baker Highway SR 542 |
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Official Designation Overview of the Scenic drive route Safe Driving Tips * Watch for cross traffic and oncoming traffic. MILE 1- Junction of I-5 and Mount Baker Hwy., Sunset Drive Sunset Square Mall (LEFT) Supermarket, cinema, restaurants and cafes, stores, bank Service Stations (LEFT and RIGHT) U.S. Post Office (RIGHT) Hannegan (LEFT) This road heads north to Lynden, a Dutch Community. MILE 2 - Leaving Bellingham, An All-American City Sunset Drive becomes the Mt. Baker Highway MILE 3 - View of the Coast Mountain Range in Canada (LEFT) Bed and Breakfast on Van Wyck Road (LEFT) MILE 4 - Everson-Goshen Road (LEFT) North to Hwy. 544 to Nooksack and Everson MILE 5 - Lodging (RIGHT) MILE 6 - Rome Community Bible Church (LEFT) MILE 7 - Grocery Store (LEFT) Adopt-A-Highway- WA Women in Timber (RIGHT) Day before the Deming Logging Show the group offers a free tour about logging history. See MILE 9 MILE 8 - Whatcom County Parks and Recreation Dept. (RIGHT) (360) 733-2900 or 592-5161 The headquarters offers a rest area with picnic tables, restrooms (open M-F) and a view of Mt. Baker, elev. 10,778 feet. Smith Road (LEFT) This road heads west to Ferndale. MILE 9 - Deming Logging Show Grounds, Cedarville Road (LEFT). Deming Logging Show - second weekend in June. Two day show: log rolling, tree climbing and axe throwing as well as Washington Women in Timber historical tour. Nooksack River Bridge: great fishing spots can be found on the banks to the north and south of the bridge. Highway 9 North Junction (LEFT) to Everson, Nooksack, Sumas, U.S.-Canadian Border. MILE 10 - Community of Nugents Corner Groceries, gas, bank (ATM), bakery, café, gifts, crafts & other services. Bethany Chapel (LEFT) The church was built in 1907; services on Sunday. Deming Speedway, Deming Road (RIGHT) MILE 11 - U-pick Berry Farms (RIGHT AND LEFT) Strawberries in June, raspberries in July & blueberries in August. Christmas Tree Farms (RIGHT AND LEFT) Mount Baker Vineyards (LEFT) Tasting room/gift shop open Wednesday-Sunday. MILE 12 - Community of Deming Mount Baker High School (RIGHT) Foothill Center (RIGHT) Restaurant, groceries, gas, other services. Stewart Mountain - elev. 3.087 ft. (RIGHT) Sumas Mountain - elev. 3,430 ft. (LEFT) MILE 13 - Nooksack River Casino (RIGHT) On Nooksack Tribal lands, casino offers gaming, entertainment, buffet and dining. MILE 14 - Highway 9 South Junction (RIGHT) South to Van Zandt, Acme, Wickersham and Skagit Valley. Attractions: B&B, general store, mushroom farm & train ride. Nooksack River Forks (RIGHT) Nooksack River forks into three segments: the North Fork, which Mt. Baker Highway parallels; the Middle Fork, which heads southeast to the southern face of Mt. Baker; and the South Fork, which heads south into the Skagit Valley. Hwy. 9 follows the South Fork. MILE 15 - Restaurant (RIGHT) MILE 16 - Mosquito Lake Road - Bald Eagle Viewing Spot (RIGHT) Dec.-Feb. Turn right onto Mosquito Lake Rd., drive to the first bridge that crosses the North Fork Nooksack. Park on left shoulder of Mosquito Lake Rd. look for eagles upstream. MILE 18 - Community of Welcome (LEFT) Grocery store, fire station, senior center and other services. MILE 20 - Restaurant/Brewery (LEFT) MILE 21 - Kendall Creek Hatchery (RIGHT) Turn right onto Fish Hatchery Road. Built in 1899, the hatchery raises Chinook, coho and chum salmon as well as steelhead, rainbow and cutthroat trout. Ponds are full January through May. Adult fish spawn in October and November. MILE 22 - Safe Driving Tip Watch for sharp bends in the highway. Slow to 25MPH. Slide Mountain - elev. 4,884 ft. (RIGHT) Named for a landslide on its north face that may have dammed up the Nooksack River in ancient times. Private Horse Ranch (RIGHT) Highway 547 North Junction/Kendall Road (LEFT) North to Kendall, Peaceful Valley, Paradise Lakes, Columbia and Sumas. Gas, groceries, golf, tavern, pottery. MILE 23 - Community of Kendall Grocery Store and Gas (LEFT) MILE 24 - Tree Farm (LEFT) Black Mountain - elev. 4,690 ft. (LEFT) MILE 25 - Private RV Camp (RIGHT) Community of Maple Falls, Bavarian-style village with a post office, pay phones, cabin rentals, lodging, restaurants, gas (last station), groceries, liquor, library. Silver Lake Park, Silver Lake Road, 3.5 miles north (LEFT) Whatcom County park sits on 411 acres around Silver Lake. Cabins (year-round), campsites, non-powered boating, fishing, swimming, watercraft rentals, food, picnic tables and a play structure. This park is seasonal. MILE 27 - Farm Stand (RIGHT) Fresh produce, gourmet food stuffs. MILE 28 - Mt. Baker Baptist Camp (LEFT) Civilian Conservation Corps camp 1933-1940. Southern Baptist churches in Puget Sound have operated the camp since the 50s. MILE 29 - View of Nooksack River (RIGHT) Highway ascends a ledge overlooking the North Fork of the Nooksack River. SAFE DRIVING TIP: Reduce speed to 30 MPH and proceed with caution around the curves. MILE 30 - Mt. Baker Scenic Turnout (RIGHT) Partial view of Mt. Baker Interpretive sign. MILE 31 - Lodging (LEFT AND RIGHT) MILE 33 - Community of Glacier - elev. 932 ft. Last community along the highway. Fire dept., post office, library, general store, restaurants, snowboard shop, lodging, phones (no gasoline). MILE 34 - Gallup Creek Picnic Area (RIGHT) Picnic tables and trash cans; no restroom. Glacier Public Service Center (RIGHT) Open Memorial Day to October. Rangers assist with hikes & camp planning, & issue permits. Restrooms (seasonal), picnic area. Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Boundary National Forest Scenic Byway Glacier Creek Road (Rd. #39) to Mount Baker Vista (RIGHT) Unpaved, 9.5-mile road leads to Mt. Baker view. MILE 35 - Lodging (LEFT & RIGHT) - Restaurant (RIGHT) MILE 36 - Douglas Fir Campground (LEFT) National Forest camp built by the CCC in the 1930s. Fees charged. Reservations accepted, (800) 280-CAMP. Horseshoe Bend Trail (RIGHT) Access for guided river rafting tours. Washington State Sno-Park (LEFT) Permit required for snow mobiling or cross-country skiing. MILE 37 - Church Mountain - elev. 6245 ft. (LEFT) High elevation trails on the southern slope are often the first in the area to open for summer hiking. Turnouts to view North Fork Nooksack River (RIGHT) MILE 40 - Excelsior Group Camp (RIGHT) National Forest Campground. No water. Fee charged. Reservations only, (800) 280-CAMP. Nooksack Falls, Wells Creek Road Rd. #33 (RIGHT) Take Wells Creek road a half mile down to parking area and fenced viewpoint. Fall plummets 100 feet. MILE 41 - Excelsior Pass Trail (LEFT) MILE 43 - North Fork Nooksack Research Natural Area (LEFT) Established in 1937, this is a 1,400 acre preserve of old-growth Douglas Fir, Hemlock and Western Red Cedar. MILE 44 - Nooksack River Viewpoint (RIGHT) MILE 46 - Twin Lakes Road (Rd. #3065) at Shuksan Highway Maintenance Sheds (LEFT) Twin Lakes is not accessible until early to mid-August. The road is not maintained after the 5-mile mark; hike rest of way to lakes. Hannegan Pass Road (Rd. #32) (LEFT) Popular cross-country skiing area in winter. Shuksan Picnic Area - Hannegan Pass Road (LEFT) Tables, a restroom, Nooksack River views. Mining cabin nearby. Silver Fir Campground (RIGHT) National Forest Camp built by CCC. Fees charged. Reservations accepted, (800) 280-CAMP. MILE 47 - Goat Mountain - elev. 6,891 ft. (NE) Summer grazing range for one of four bands of mountain goats. MILE 48 - SAFE DRIVING TIP: For the next 10 miles, the road will climb 3,200 feet. Prepare for series of switchbacks, sharp drop-offs and steep cliffs along the route. MILE 49 - View Mt. Shuksan - elev. 9,038 ft. (EAST) MILE 50 - View Mt. Sefrit - elev. 6,015 ft. (SOUTHEAST) MILE 52 - Mt. Baker Ski Area White Salmon Day Lodge. Day use facility during the ski season with food and a ski lift. (LEFT) MILE 53 - Entrance to Heather Meadows Buy a required three-day ($3) or annual ($15) Heather Meadows parking pass. MILE 55 - The Firs Lodge (RIGHT) Year-round retreat center for Christian groups. Picture Lake (ROAD FORKS - STAY TO THE RIGHT) Picture Lake, elev. 4,100 feet, provides a postcard view of Mt. Shuksan, elev. 9,038 ft. Park on road shoulder. A half-mile trail around the lake is designed for people of all abilities. The Mountaineers Lodge (RIGHT) Owned by The Mountaineers climbing club. Open to members and the public summer and winter. Vista Picnic Area (RIGHT) Picnic area; no restrooms. Mt. Baker Ski Area Heather Meadows Day Lodge and Mt. Baker Ski Area Mountain Shop. Open during the ski season; ski lift, cross country trail and food. (RIGHT) MILE 56 - Austin Pass Picnic Area (RIGHT) CCC-built area sits in a bowl-shaped valley with glorious views and trails. Heather Meadows Visitor Center (RIGHT) Open mid-July to September. MILE 58 - Artist Point - elev. 5,140 ft. (END OF HIGHWAY) Parking lot surrounded by Mt. Baker's peak (SOUTH), Mt. Shuksan (EAST) and Table Mountain, elev. 5,628 ft. Point usually opens the latter part of July; check with Glacier ranger station. Numerous trails. Hikers can climb to the top of Table Mountain. |
Mount Baker (3,285 meters; 10,778 feet) is an ice-clad volcano in the North Cascades of Washington State about 50 kilometers (31 miles) due east of the city of Bellingham. After Mount Rainier, it is the most heavily glaciated of the Cascade volcanoes: the volume of snow and ice on Mount Baker (about 1.8 cubic kilometers; 0.43 cubic miles) is greater than that of all the other Cascades volcanoes (except Rainier) combined. Isolated ridges of lava and hydrothermally altered rock, especially in the area of Sherman Crater, are exposed between glaciers on the upper flanks of the volcano: the lower flanks are steep and heavily vegetated. The volcano rests on a foundation of non-volcanic rocks in a region that is largely non-volcanic in origin. -- Gardner, et.al., 1995
Historical Activity
Historical activity at Mount Baker includes several explosions
during the mid-19th century, which were witnessed from the Bellingham
area, and since the late 1950s, numerous small- volume debris
avalanches. In 1975, increased fumarolic activity in the Sherman
Crater area caused concern that an eruption might be imminent.
Additional monitoring equipment was installed and several geophysical
surveys were conducted to try to detect the movement of magma.
The level of Baker Lake was lowered and people were restricted
from the area due to concerns that an eruption- induced debris
avalanche or debris flow might enter Baker Lake and displace
enough water to either cause a wave to overtop the Upper Baker
Dam or cause complete failure of the dam. However, few anomalies
other than the increased heat flow were recorded during the geophysical
surveys nor were any other precursory activities observed to
indicate that magma was moving up into the volcano. An increased
level of fumarolic activity has continued at Mount Baker from
1975 to the present, but there are no other changes that suggest
that magma movement is involved. -- Gardner, et.al., 1995
Whatcom County's most spectacular natural attraction is the glacier-covered volcano called Mount Baker. The mountain rises 10,778 feet above sea level in the center of the Mt. Baker Wilderness area. It is part of the North Cascades Mountain Range, which was formed when the Strait of Juan de Fuca tectonic plate pushed up underneath the North American plate eons ago.
Mount Baker was created from layers of mud, cinder and lava that hardened and were carved into jagged cliffs by giant glaciers during the Ice Age. Though perpetually covered in snow and ice, it is the second most active volcano in the Cascade Range, the U.S. Forest Service reports. Mount St. Helens is the first.
Temperatures in the Mt. Baker area range from 70s with clear skies in the summer to upper 20s with rain and snow through the winter. Annual rainfall in the lowlands is 30 to 50 inches. At higher elevations, precipitation ranges from 70 to 140 inches.
In 1999, Mt.Baker set the new world's record for the most snowfall ever measured in a single season-- 1,140 inches (2,895.6 centimeters)!
Mt. Baker has worn several appellations in its 400,000 years. Long before white settlers came, Nooksack Indians called it quck-sman-ik, meaning "white mountain." The Lummi Indians near Bellingham Bay called it kulshan, meaning "broken off." Presumably, they were referring to the frequent volcanic activity.
English explorer Captain George Vancouver rededicated the mountain while charting the region in 1792. He named it for Lt. Joseph Baker, a young officer in his command who spotted the peak while their sloop "Discovery" was sailing off the coast of Washington, near Dungeness Bay.
The last 28 miles of the 58-mile long Mt. Baker Highway lie within the Mt. Baker-Snoqualamie National Forest. Set aside as part of the Washington Forest Reserve in 1897, its name was changed to Mt. Baker National Forest in 1924. In 1974, Mt. Baker National Forest and a northern section of the Snoqualmie National Forest were combined. These lands fall under the jurisdiction of the Mount Baker Ranger District.
The 534,334 acres in the ranger district allow for a variety of year-round recreational opportunities. Visitors can hike, camp, ride horses, fish, kayak and raft the Nooksack River, climb glaciers and ski. In summer, 65,000 people come to hike the trails. In the winter, the Mt. Baker Ski Area lures visitors with an annual average snowfall of 595 inches.
Congress designated another 117,900 acres adjacent to the national forest lands as Mount Baker Wilderness in 1984. The Wilderness areas surround the volcanic dome of Mt. Baker and are accessible by more than 50 miles of trails, but no roads. Development is prohibited here, and regulations apply to use. The U.S. Forest Service's motto for recreational users is 'Walk softly, take only photographs and leave only footprints."