Most Cascades trails still open, showing off fall colors

THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

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Now is the perfect time to see the fall colors in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The leaves are at their peak and the Mount Baker Highway is presently open. Please remember to park in a designated parking spot. The end of the road is a state highway, so for your safety please do not stand in the road when taking photos.

The Mount Baker Highway is open to Artist Point at mile marker 58. All trails are snow free except Ptarmigan Ridge, where poles are recommended.

There is still snow near Lake Ann, but all trailheads except Church Mountain are accessible.

Two trailheads in Mount Baker National Forest close for improvements

The Mount Baker Highway will have one-lane closures past mile marker 52 for repairs, according to a press release from the National Forest. The dates are unknown at this time. There will be access to the Heather Meadows area during this closure. Please call the Washington State DOT at (360) 788-2500 for updates and information.

The Douglas Fir, Silver Fir and Excelsior campgrounds are closed for the season. The last day of the season for the Glacier Public Service Center is Sept. 12.

RECOMENDED HIKE

This majestic High Pass No. 676 fall hike is highlighted by mountain lakes, fall colors, mountain views, and the remains of the Gargett mine. This trail is four miles and gains 700 feet in elevation to High Pass. From High Pass one can drop 200 feet in a quarter mile on a side trail to the old mine site.

More adventurous hikers can scramble 2,100 feet in half a mile past the end of the trail to the summit of Mount Larrabee. The trail starts out on the Winchester Mountain Trail at the end of Twin Lakes Road No. 3065. The road starts from the Department of Transportation maintenance shed 12.5 miles east of Glacier, and is well signed. Hikers with low clearance vehicles will want to park at the Yellow Aster Butte Trailhead, as high clearance is required to travel the final 2.5 miles of the road.

There is a permanent fire ban in this area. This is a hiker only wilderness trail with a party size limit of 12. A valid recreation pass is required for parking.

CLIMBING TIP

The Coleman-Deming route up Mount Baker is in late season condition. Recent snow has covered many crevasses near the Black Buttes, Saddle, and Roman Wall. The climbers toilets are closed for the season, all climbers need blue bags.

TRAIL INFO

Check road and trail conditions before you hike.

Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

Web site: www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/conditions/

Phone: For trails accessed from Mount Baker Highway, call the Glacier Public Service Center at 599-2714 (open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). Otherwise, call (360) 856-5700, ext. 515.

North Cascades National Park

Web site: www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/trail-conditions.htm