Things to do Around Mt. Baker

The old growth forest is located at mile marker 43.8. There is a very small pull off on the LEFT side of the road, with only enough space for about three cars. The trail is not a well-maintained trail however as soon as you begin you will see some very large trees just a minute or two down the trail. The trail keeps going for quite a ways back but just kind of peters out into nothing. Eventually you will just reach a point where it’s not worth following anymore and turn around, but it’s definitely worth checking out!

There are several trails that wind through the woods around Glacier. Most of them are mountain bike friendly. You can find maps for some of the local trails inside each of our rental homes.

River Riders have been offering rafting tours in the Glacier area for many years. They offer river rafting, tubing, and kayaking. Contact them for more info.
www.riverrider.com
(800) 448-7238
(509) 668-7238

There is no official kayak rental place in Glacier that I know of to rent a kayak to take on your own. If you own your own Kayak and are experienced with white water kayaking there are a few spots where locals put in. I see Kayakers on the Nooksack all the time during the Summer. I don’t know much about it myself, so I don’t have much info. on this unfortunately, but if you know the area at all, and are an experienced Kayaker, check with the local Glacier Forest Service for more info.

Mt. Baker holds the world record for most snowfall in one season at a ski area. With great powder, fast groomers, two easy beginner chairs, and two tow ropes for learning, there’s something for every experience level. There are three lodges to hang out in if you just prefer watching the snow fall while lounging around warm and cozy indoors.
www.mtbaker.us
(360) 734-6771

Glacier has several backcountry roads that locals use for snowmobiling. There are NO local snowmobile rentals, but if you have your own there are places to use them.
www.parks.state.wa.us

PLEASE NOTE: Snowmobiles are NOT allowed to drive on any of the gated community roads. Also snowpark passes are required for parking at the trailheads. Contact the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission for more info. All snowmobiling is done at your own risk, and if accidents occur and Mountain rescue has to step in, there will be a hefty price to pay.

Silver Lake Park is located about 12 miles North West of Glacier off of Silver Lake Rd. They offer both paddle boat, and row boat rentals (no motors are allowed on the lake). If you own your own paddle board, this is also a great place to use it!
www.whatcomcounty.us/silver-lake-park
(360) 599-2776
9006 Silver Lake Road, Maple Falls WA 98266

If you rented a home in the gated communities of Snowline or Snowater, they both have swimming pools available. Snowater’s pool is available year round and is indoors. Snowline’s pool is located outdoors and is weather dependent, but is usually open from Memorial day (last week of May) to Labor day (beginning of September).

The Nooksack River is home to 5 species of wild salmon. There are many river access points in Glacier.

Silver Lake is stocked with trout, and is also a great place to fish. It is located in Maple Falls, down Silver Lake Rd.
www.whatcomcounty.us/silver-lake-park
(360) 599-2776
9006 Silver Lake Road, Maple Falls WA 98266

If you enjoy exploring, there are many wild flowers, and plants, wild mushrooms, and lots of berries to find, photograph, and even some to eat. Glacier is home to many edible berries, and mushrooms. But it is VERY important that you know exactly what you are doing, because there are also MANY Poisonous mushrooms, and berries around here. There are an abundance of rivers, mountains, & birds to see and photograph. If you are lucky you may even see an occasional bear, cougar, bobcat, coyote, mountain goat, or racoon. These are in the area, but only the racoons are seen on a somewhat regular basis. The other animals are pretty shy and steer clear of humans for the most part. There are also a few local ponds you can find whil exploring the local trails. Often the ponds are full of frog, and salamander eggs, and larvae.

Head east on 542 out of Glacier, WA and take the first left directly after the ranger station. Drive up the dirt road about 100 feet and you will see it widen on the right, park here and use the trail across the road to your left which runs up and over a small hill. The first tee should be approximately 100 feet down the path, you can’t miss it.

This is not a traditional open-field frisbee golf course. Rather than traditional metal net, it has hula hoops with fish netting. Tees are marked by numbers painted on rocks. It is done in a very “Glacier” style. It’s an adventure, but it’s also very fun and entertaining.

Glacier is home to many gorgeous mountain hikes! There is anything from the horseshoe bend trail, a nice mellow hike along the river just about a mile outside of town, to multi-mile expert hikes up in the mountains.

For more information on local hikes the local forest service station is a great place to start. They can let you know which hikes and roads are open, and how to purchase parking passes.
www.fs.usda.gov
(360) 599-2714
10091 Mt. Baker Hwy, Glacier WA 98244
Operating Hours: Seasonal

Mountain Hikes

Lake Anne Trail is 4.1 miles one way, and has an elevation gain of 900 feet. It’s a great hike for picking wild mountain blueberries!

Damfino Lake Trail is 3 miles one way, and gains 1,100 feet in elevation

Artist Ridge is a 1 mile loop trail that has no elevation gain. This is located up in the upper parking lot of Artist Point.

Excelsior Trail is 3 plus miles one way, and has a 3,700 foot gain in elevation.

Heliotrope Ridge Trail begins at an elevation of 3,700 feet, and goes to the summit of Mt. Baker (Roosevelt Glacier).

Silesia Creek Trail is 4.5 miles one way, with 2,600 feet in elevation gain.

Goat Mountain is 3.2 miles one way, with 2,900 feet in elevation gain.

Hannegan Pass is 4 miles one way, and gains 2,000 feet in elevation.

Hannegan Peak is 1 mile one way, with a 1,200 foot elevation gain.

Skyline Divide is 3 ½ miles to the divide with an elevation gain of 1,500 feet. You can continue on past there for several more miles.

Table Mountain Trail has an elevation gain of 600 feet. & is accessed from the upper parking lot at Artist Point.

Chain Lakes Trail is 6 ½ miles one way, with up to 1,500 feet in elevation gain.

Ptarmigan Ridge is about a 4 mile hike to reach Coleman Pinnacle. It has an elevation gain of 1,000 feet.

Bagley Lakes is 1 ½ miles one way, with an elevation gain of 100 feet.

Winchester Lookout/High Pass Trail is my favorite hike in the area. It’s short enough to do in 1½ hours or so if you are an experienced hiker, and when you reach the top you have 360 degree views of Mountains as far as you can see.
It is 2.1 miles one way, with an elevation gain of 1,300 feet.

Tomyhoi is 4 miles one way, and gains 1,800 feet in elevation

Yellow Aster Butte is 3.6 miles one way, but begins along the Tomyhoi trail and has a 2,000 foot elevation gain.

Boundary Way Trail is 4.1 miles one way and has an 800 foot elevation gain.

Canyon Ridge Trail is a very long 10.3 mile hike in one direction, but only gains 2,000 feet in elevation.

The Horseshoes Bend Trail is located about a mile or a little more past the town of Glacier. It’s on the right hand side just over a bridge. There is a long pull off to park several vehicles. There is a sign but you don’t really notice it while driving, you will see it once you exit your vehicle. You will follow some wooden stairs down under the bridge you just crossed and take a left. If you take a right that will walk you through the campground. This is a one way trail with no offshoots, so if you get lost easy there are no worries on this trail. It follows the river for miles and is absolutely beautiful! It is one of my favorite trails in Glacier. One great thing about it is it’s great all year long unless there is significant snowfall in Glacier.

There are several other trails that wind through the woods around Glacier. Maps to these are provided in each rental home.