Fall colors arrive for visitors to Mount Baker

CRAIG PARRISH - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

E-Mail

Print Reprint

Text Size:

tool goes here

One positive aspect of Whatcom County skies turning more and more gray means that the colors of autumn are becoming more common and more vibrant in the Mount Baker Ranger District.

"It's a good time to come and see the fall colors," said Magenta Widner, forestry technician at the Glacier Public Service Center.

Now is a prime time to visit, Widner said, because the leaves at their peak, and the road to the Heather Meadows area and Mt. Baker Ski Area is still open.

| BELLINGHAM HERALD FILE

The road to Artist Point (past mile post 55) may not be open for much longer, and in fact was closed for one day earlier this week due to snowfall. Late September or early October is typically close to the time when the road will be closed for the season.

"The road will be closing sometime; we don't know exactly when," Widner said. "The DOT (Washington State Department of Transportation) decides that."

One possible obstacle in the next few days is road work at mile post 552. As of the afternoon of Wednesday, Sept. 24, it hadn't been confirmed when the work would begin. A tentative start date that has been discussed is Monday, Sept. 29, but that is not definite, Widner said.

The work will be on a retaining wall that supports the Razor Hone Creek Bridge. It's breaking away from the road, creating a gap under the road shoulder, according to a press release from the DOT.

The wall has moved approximately 18 inches from its original position. Crews will need to tear out a portion of the road, excavate the soil behind the wall and rebuild a new wall. The work could take up to three weeks to complete; more information is available at 788-2500.

Visitors should note, Widner said, that the Glacier Public Service Center will be closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays beginning Tuesday, Sept. 30. The last day the office will be open for the season is Oct. 12, although Widner said there will be weekend hours starting after Thanksgiving. The Heather Meadows Visitor Center is closed for the season.

TRY THESE WEEKEND HIKES

Visitors can enjoy an easy hike at the beginning of Hannegan Pass (No. 674); hikers looking for something more challenging can continue on the same path towards Hannegan Peak (No. 671), according to Magenta Widner, forestry technician at the Glacier Public Service Center. This is a beautiful fall hike, with colorful leaves, waterfalls and mountain views.

The trail starts out from the end of Hannegan Pass Road (No. 32), 13 miles east of Glacier on the Mount Baker Highway. There is a total elevation gain of 2,000 feet over four miles to Hannegan Pass, and the final mile to Hannegan Peak is another 1,000 feet higher. The trail doesn't start to climb steeply until about three miles from the trailhead, so its beginning is not terribly strenuous.

There is a camping area 3� miles from the trailhead. Water is available from a nearby creek, and there is a mountain toilet. This area has had several bear sightings, so it's vital to properly store food. There is a permanent fire ban in this area. It's a wilderness trail with a party size limit of 12, and a valid recreation pass is required for parking.

Enter Keyword(s):	Enter a City:
Select a State:	Select a Category:

POSTED: Saturday, Sep. 27, 2008

Fall colors arrive for visitors to Mount Baker

tool name

TRY THESE WEEKEND HIKES