Mount Baker

The water flows through a narrow valley and drops freely 88 feet into a deep rocky river canyon. The falls are viewable from the forested cover near the cliffs edge. The falls were featured in the movie The Deer Hunter. Interpretive signage tells the story of a historical scheme to build a power plant at the falls.

This popular photograph stop provides a postcard view of Mt. Shuksan in nearby North Cascades National Park, one of the largest and most strikingly-faceted non-volcanoes in the state, reflected in a sub-alpine lake. A short paved walking trail circles the lake.

This alpine perch serves up competing views of Mt. Shuksan and Mt. Baker. It is the trailhead for many popular hikes. The parking area, as massive as it is, fills beyond capacity on summer weekends, so arrive early (or late).

Has seven lifts, covering 1500 ft (455 m) elevation gain. The area claims typical snowfall of 647 inches (1,638 cm) per year.

4 mi one-way with 2000 ft gain to the pass, through the Ruth Creek Valley. In early summer see waterfalls and the occasional avalanche cascade down the steep cliffs of Mt. Sefrit and the Nooksack Ridge. From Hannegan Pass, you can summit Hannegan Peak, climb Ruth Mountain and Icy Peak, or continue on to North Cascades National Park and Copper Ridge.

0.5 mi interpretive loop. This walk tells the story of the distinctive hexagonal columnar andesite formations, the power of glaciers to shape the landscape, and other geological and natural history.

A shorter walk that provides a great view of the mountain on an accessible paved loop, with the opportunity to continue up the hill just a little way to find small meadows and late summer ponds. The rocky terrain here feels like the backcountry, less than a mile from your car.

5 mi one-way, though most hikers make a 6 mi loop with the Wild Goose Trail. Sample the variety of landscapes on Mount Baker, with close-up views of the mountain and several sub-alpine lakes perfect for a quick dip.