Mt. Baker, Easton Glacier

Activity Notes

As we climb, we acknowledge the people that were here before us. Several Coastal Salish tribes, and predominantly the Nooksack and Lummi Tribes, consider the mountain a sacred place.  Please learn more about the Nooksack and Lummi Tribes :

https://web.archive.org/web/20140714155941/http://www.nooksacktribe.org/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nooksack_people

https://web.archive.org/web/20120818180851/http://www.lummi-nsn.org/website/index2.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lummi

Koma Lulshan (Mt. Baker), meaning "broken or damaged" by the Lummi tribe of Puget Sound, is the third highest peak in Washington state.  The peak stands 15 miles south of the Canadian border.  It is considered by geologists to be one of the Cascade volcanoes most likely to show major activity.  Fumaroles, thermal springs, and areas of warm ground remind us of that and of the potential for periodic releases of snow, rock and mud from Sherman Peak. 

Approach, Climb and Descent:

The trail starts out from the Schreiber's Meadow trailhead using the trail on the left which is known as the Railroad Grade trail. This goes westward for about a mile you come across a large creek crossing.  The trail then enters into thicker forest and switch backs. At about 4,700 feet the trail forks, take a right which goes up to the Railroad Grade itself. The Railroad grade is a prominent lateral moraine formed by the retreating Easton Glacier which has a ridge like appearance. The trail eventually goes right onto the Railroad Grade which on the map will no longer be labeled but is quite visible in person. The ridge eventually disappears but is trail like still heading in the same direction. At around 6,500 feet you come across the many flat camp spots.

We'll make an alpine start on Saturday and some where around 6,700 feet we'll rope up as we transition onto the Easton Glacier.  Head northwest toward the crater rim being careful to avoid crevasses. Don't be surprised if you have to go over a few snow bridges or have to navigate around large crevasses. Above the crater (9,800 feet) the grade becomes steeper on the upper Easton Glacier where we'll head north (slightly east) to obtain the path of lease resistance. Above the upper Easton Glacier you arrive at the flat top which is the size of several football fields. Turn northwest towards Grant's Peak which is the true summit of Mount Baker. The snowy looking summit on the left is the false summit which would only add more work to your climb if you went there. The last 50 or so feet is usually snow free making it a nice dry place to rest and enjoy the views of all around.

We will descend the same route, break camp and head back to the cars on Saturday.