The main focal point of this vast 117,900 acre wilderness is Mt. There’s something about Mt. We did need to dodge a few alders growing in the road, but otherwise it was fairly easy going. Ptarmigan Ridge - So Many Exclamation Points! This is a really great trip as we encountered no snowmobiles and no nasty snowshoes stomping all over our ski tracks. Baker over the lake. The road is pretty well maintained until you pass Yellow Aster Butte Trail. It is such a top-of-the-world feeling, even though you can see higher mountains around you. Baker, Yellow Aster Butte and Winchester. Travel up this dirt road for about 7 miles, and you will be at the Twin Lakes. The road itself is ok, but I wouldn’t call it great. Hidden Lake Lookout: A Most Fabulous View! Mt Baker Ski Area, Glacier Picture: Chain lakes hike - Check out Tripadvisor members' 413 candid photos and videos. Twin Lakes sits at 7,200 ft. with fishing, canoeing—no motorized boats allowed—and hiking available, making this a fun day trip or overnight camping getaway. The Canadian border is to the north and Mt Rainer Park is to the south. Baker Wilderness about 2.5 miles south of the Canadian border at the end of the Twin Lakes Road that leads north from the Highway Department buildings at Kulshan. We followed Twin Lakes Rd for about 2.5 miles and then we took a right onto road 3066 rather than continuing on the avalanche prone upper road. Lower Twin Lake is a short hike from the parking lot. If you are hiking in Mt. This is the forest service road that goes to the Yellow Aster Butte trailhead and eventually to Twin Lakes/Mt. Baker Highway (Hwy 542) approximately 45 miles east of Bellingham, Washington to Twin Lakes Road. Which States have 85 vs. 87 Octane Gasoline? If you go almost to the far side of the lake and then down to the lake’s edge, you can also get some pretty great views of Mt. Alpine Hikes 24 DSC_0025 - Version 2 Mt Baker, halfway up Winchester Mtn. Baker Highway (Hwy 542) approximately 45 miles east of Bellingham, Washington to Twin Lakes Road. Baker’s Twin Lakes, How to Replace a Zipper in a Sleeping Bag, Anne’s Travels’ Favorite Free Workouts (Hiking Prep or Everyday Exercising), 10 Places to (Legally) Get Free Internet while Traveling. Length 8.1 miElevation gain 1650 ftRoute type Out & back It’s also covered by glaciers. While we were here, a sightseeing helicopter was circling us, and we were taking pictures of the helicopter, and the people in the helicopter were taking pictures of us. Baker Highway (SR 542) Starting at the northern boundaries of the forest, take a drive on the Mt. … Mt. I know that one of the forestry sites parking meters is broken. When you reach the lakes, there will be a primitive outhouse on your right. Joining me on this day were Silly P., Blissman, EMo and Ol' Friend Deb. While you are making the climb with your car, you’ll pass amazing lookouts and the Yellow Aster Butte Trail. This paved road starts at the Interstate 5 interchange in Bellingham, Wash., winds along the scenic North Fork Nooksack River, and climbs to an elevation of 5,140 feet to its well-named destination, Artist Point. Twin Lakes is a beautiful base camp area set just below Winchester and Mount Larrabee at around 5,200 feet Having scrambled up these two in the past I knew the road up was a fairly well maintained logging road that can get washed out but usually remains passable. This is one of the best hikes in Mount Baker, and one of our favorite moderate-level treks. Part way up, the trail goes through some huckleberry bushes, which had an abundance of huckleberries in late August. A beautiful location to visit if you’re anywhere near the Mt. Contributions to WTA are tax deductible, and we are committed to making the best use of every donation to our mission. But the 17-mile (round trip) Twin Lakes Trail is one of the few paths that has all of the above plus an authentic ghost town. With gorgeous mountain views, several stunning lakes, and wide alpine meadows, you’ll have everything you need for a wonderful day out. )for about 1.5 miles to a fabulous viewpoint of Mt. The Lone Jack Mine is located inside the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, located on the west side of the Cascades, is one of the most visited forests in the United Mt. The lake is a great place to take a swim or to take a loop hike. A bit unnerving. The last section of each trail remains the original singletrack from before the logging work. There are a few picnic tables here, and the views are spectacular. The pictures just don’t do it justice! We got a little stressed out as we began hearing lots of gunshots as we approached the trailhead. I believe there is a sign, but if not, a trail begins to ascend the side of the mountain in long switchbacks. The turquoise lakes surrounded by high mountain walls are quite the destination unto themselves, whether for a picnic lunch, a time of relaxation (not that many people come up here, although it’s not deserted), or a great place to camp in the various campsites (free) that are around the lakes. Actually, the trail’s not that bad, but the incline is relentless, so it seems steeper after you’ve hiked a mile or so. Hike anywhere in the Pacific Northwest and you'll experience some sort of natural wonder, whether it's deep river valleys, lush old-growth forests, high mountain lakes, alpine meadows, or sweeping panoramic views. Otherwise park at the Yellow Aster Butte trailhead and hike 2 miles and 1,600ft to Twin Lakes (5,200ft). Baker Areaor looking for some gorgeous mountain views, don’t forget aboutTwin Lakes. Known to the indigenous Lummi people as Koma Kulshan (meaning “Great White Watcher”), Mt. Twin Lakes Reservoir Hike Details. The higher you climb, the better the views become, especially of the Twin Lakes far below. It’s amazing how much elevation you can gain so quickly. Artist Ridge Trail - So Short, So Awesome Shuksan! A quick break and back to the trailhead. Baker across the valley. It had been awhile since I'd skied in this area and it was long overdue. Picturesque alpine lakes, sweeping open ridges, valleys filled with mountain wildflowers and constant views of Mount Baker and Mt. Baker from Twin Lakes. The Twin Lakes, as seen from Winchester Fire Lookout. Pretty please. Baker Highway - Anne's Travels, Alpine Scenery to Stun You at Mt. You can see the lakes, although the views are better from lower down on the trail, as well as mountain peaks in two countries. Alpine Hikes 21 P9220001 Mt. Baker, as seen from part way up the trail. Baker Scenic Byway (State Route 542). Distance – 2.6 miles roundtrip Approximate hiking time – 1 to 2 hours Elevation at Silver Lake Interpretive Center – 8740 feet Elevation at the Twin Lakes – 9450 feet Highest Elevation gain – 710 feet Difficulty – Easy, with some stretches of incline Trail – well marked trail of dirt and rocks. The views outside are stunning, with incredible alpine vistas in every direction. Shuksan dominate this challenging yet scenic Washington State hike. Too many close calls this year already. Tomyhoi and Canada. My Green Trails map shows road 3066 going on for only about 1/2 mile, but we followed it across Swamp Creek (no bridge here and some wet feet! Elevation Gain/Highest: 4100ft/54ooft Map: Green Trails Sloan Peak 111, Monte Cristo 143 Favorite Eats After Hike: LJs Bistro in Lake Stevens Find out current conditions and as always, practice Leave No Trace. We all had fun with the guitar, even though at least one string was broken and it was horribly out of tune. Baker Highway - Anne's Travels, Tips & Tricks for a Hiking Trip during COVID-19, How to Camp (for free!) Baker is an active stratovolcano and the tallest peak in the North Cascade Range. My Green Trails map shows road 3066 going on for only about 1/2 mile, but we followed it across Swamp Creek (no bridge here and some wet feet! On to Graham's for dinner and fish tacos. Baker. We carried our skis the 1/8 mile on the highway and started up the road. Alpine Hikes 26 MSP_9583 Looking north at Mt. You can hike in, or if you have a good vehicle that sits high and a sense of adventure, you can drive up. Twin Lakes Rd is one of the many Forest Service Roads that are accessible by the public. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/twin-lakes-trail--2 These two beautiful turquoise/green lakes are located in Mt. We followed Twin Lakes Rd for about 2.5 miles and then we took a right onto road 3066 rather than continuing on the avalanche prone upper road. You make a left towards Twin Lakes over a bridge and into some denser forests. This will change the total mileage from 5 miles round-trip to 9 miles. From here, you can look towards the north and see British Columbia, Canada. More than just books: Gear, Apparel & More Shop Alpine Hikes 25 MSP_9585 Fire lookout atop Winchester Mtn. Glacier has a visitor center in it, where you can stop for water and/or information on road conditions. Twin Lakes is a 8.1 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Big Timber, Montana that features a lake and is rated as difficult. This is an awesome view, especially of Mt. Take a left at Twin Lakes Road (FR-3065) and drive 4.5 miles on rough, but passable gravel until you reach the signed Yellow Aster Butte Trailhead. The road is on the left just after the highway maintenance sheds, about 12 miles east of the town of Glacier. Best Hikes in North Cascades National Park, Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. The Chain Lakes Loop trail climbs over the shoulder of Table Mountain. Twin Lakes (Mt Baker) Mountaineers Books. An extremely scenic drive, full of picturesque vantage points, leading to fascinating lakes surrounded by mountains and meadows – this is what awaits you if you decide to explore this route. Subscribe to our free email newsletter for hiking events, news, gear reviews and more. Twin Lakes/Mt Baker, WA. Chain Lakes Loop Hike: This classic hike in the Mount Baker region is perfect in summertime, when you’ll find the trail full of wildflowers and blueberries. Baker Highway in northwest Washington State have got to be some of the most spectacular in the Continental US. The trailhead can be accessed by two methods. After another mile or so the trail takes a surprising dip into a very lush and dense forest over a creek. Access: Mt Baker Highway to MP 46, then US Forest Service Road #3065 to Twin Lakes. You will have to go to the Maple Falls Shell Gas Station, and pick up a parking pass there. Winchester. As everywhere this year there was snow and lots of it! You’ll reach an intersection with a sign that will point you to either Twin Lakes or Four Mile Basin Lake. However, the lakes’ charm is truly realized only when seen from above. A great place to do this from is Winchester Fire Lookout, a 1.75 mile (one way) hike from the Twin Lakes. Oh, and did I mention the wildflowers in season? Return by the way you came. Baker’s cone, Mt. The Chain Lakes Trail in the North Cascades provides loop trail nirvana. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); To get to the Twin Lakes, take the Mt. At a highway maintenance shed there is a sign that says: "Tomyhoi Trail 5, Twin Lakes … Easy (Wapinitia Pass to Lower Twin) 5.1 miles round trip; 700 feet elevation gain; Open June to early November; Use: hikers, horses; Moderate (Barlow Pass to Upper Twin) 7.5-mile loop; 1300 feet elevation gain; Children like Lower Twin Lake for lots of reasons. The road is on the left just after the highway maintenance sheds, about 12 miles east of the town of Glacier. We have camped at Twin Lakes on a number of occasions and really enjoy how remote it can be. 705 2nd Ave, Suite 300 Blue diamonds indicate this is a cross-country ski trail. But be prepared for some challenges! From Bellingham take exit 255 off of I-5 and drive east on Highway 542 (the Mount Baker Highway) to the town of Glacier, then continue east an additional 12.8 miles. Alpine Hikes 23 MSP_9550 Twin Lakes start of hike up Winchester Mt. Since Alan and I aren’t backpackers, we appreciate the opportunity to experience day hikes along the alpine trails leading into the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. To get to the Twin Lakes, take the Mt. We camped right in the parking lot, and no one seemed to mind. Baker. Baker Highway is the Twin Lakes, located near the town of Glacier. Finally, the trail reaches the ridgeline, and for the first time in the hike, the trail isn’t too steep. Descend the east side of a ridge and notice the waters of Lower Twin Lake sparkling below. Drive Twin Lakes Road to Yellow Aster Butte To get there, drive Mount Baker Highway (SR 542) east for 12 miles from the Glacier Public Service Center. Inside, we found a guestbook, books, maps, a cot, and a broken guitar, among other things. Not long after this you will come to the Winchester Fire Lookout. Baker-Snoqualmie National ForestStates. Excellent views of Mount Baker appear to the southwest. Take the Twin Lakes Trail #495 down to the right, passing a large noble fir. )for about 1.5 miles to a fabulous viewpoint of Mt. Shuksan’s rugged profile, and all the other nearby snowcapped peaks are simply awe-inspiring. You must remember to pull into one of the forestry information sites and purchase a parking pass. The hikes that begin from the Mt. Reach the first of the Chain Lakes, Mazama Lake, at 4.5km. That was fun! The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, and backpacking. The Twin Lakes Trail and nearby Fourmile Basin Trail #8113 are mostly reclaimed logging roads that were reworked by the Forest Service into singletrack. The lookout is no longer in use as a fire lookout, but people still camp there. Twin Lakes. As we turned off 542 and hit the dirt the drizzle stopped and day was looking up. Heliotrope Divide and Coleman Glacier - Fantastic Views! Must have been several folks shooting a lot of guns. Mt. Our tax identification number is EIN 91-0900134. The Upper Twin Lake is a less-visited lake with a cliff-edge viewpoint of Mount Hood and the Historic Barlow Creek Valley. Saved by KRISTINA Twin Lakes Twins Hiking River Adventure Mountains Nature Outdoor Gemini. Too many close calls this year already. Seattle, WA 98104. Baker itself. Baker National forest and are easy to access with an eight mile off-road trail. The snow was a bit sticky and heavy, but it made for a pleasurable descent with a few fun glides. In the early morning, you can get some very nice pictures of Mt. Chain Lakes Loop: Outstanding Hike at Mt Baker - See 36 traveler reviews, 88 candid photos, and great deals for Bellingham, WA, at Tripadvisor. in Tiadaghton State Forest, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The switchbacks continue to climb upward, but are shorter and steeper and are away from the side of the valley that has the Twin Lakes in it. Mt Baker Ski Area, Glacier Picture: Chain lakes hike - Check out Tripadvisor members' 392 candid photos and videos. Alpine Hikes 22 MSP_9548 Winchester Mtn trailhead at Twin Lakes. Set within the Mount Baker hiking wonderland, the Bagley Lakes trail is an easy, family-friendly hike with alpine lakes, copious amounts of wildflowers, and striking views of Table Mountain. Washington Trails Association The trail to Winchester Fire Lookout starts from the other side of the lakes. We parked at the Hannegan Road snopark as there is no parking permitted at the highway maintenance buildings that mark the beginning of our route. Once you’ve rested in the lookout, go outside to admire the scenery. This deep forest is surrounded by mountains, offering an incredible backdrop to some of the best fishing in the world. Washington Trails Association is 501(c)(3) nonprofit. If you want great vistas and/or to hike up to the fire lookout, keep driving along the side of the lower lake, and then turn left to park on the ground that separates the two lakes. Twin Lakes Road is called “National Forest Develop Rd 3065” on Google Maps. Trailhead Elevation: 5,200 feet, Trail Length one way: 4.5 miles, Elevation Gain: 2,600 feet Damfino Lake Trail #625 A hidden gem within the Mount Baker Wilderness, Bagley Lakes is the perfect hike for the family yet with views and landscape which can amaze and impress even the most seasoned hikers. Mileage: 11 miles RT to Silver Lake, 18+ miles if you are trying to make Twin Lakes. Also, although a low-clearance vehicle could probably do it, I wouldn’t personally recommend driving the road without high clearance, and 4×4 may be necessary at some times of the year. Then continue along to Iceberg Lake (named for the chunks of ice sometimes found floating in its waters). Mt. Twin Lakes. 10 of the Best Trails In and Around North Cascades National Park, Wyoming’s Black Hills Fire Tower: Warren Peak, Celebrating 20 Years of Family Vacation - Anne's Travels, 6 Best Hikes on the Mt. Dogs are also able to use this trail. It twist and turns its way up the mountainside, encountering a few hairpin turns that you may have to be resourceful to actually make the turn (you’ll be able to see why you had to gain so much elevation when you get to the fire tower). From the Twin Lakes-Lower Twin Lake Trail Junction, descend to the lakeshore at an area of campsites. When you’re used to camping in the wilderness, it’s such a luxury to have picnic tables right there to use for breakfast the next morning , Pingback: Celebrating 20 Years of Family Vacation - Anne's Travels, Pingback: 6 Best Hikes on the Mt. Skyline Divide: Best Views around Mt. Eventually, you will come to the very edge of the mountain, and look down a precipice. Baker, … My Hike: 11/5/2016 Opting to … Shortly after this, you arrive at the first Twin Lake.