Text and Photos by Mary L. Peachin
Vol. 24, No. 3, December, 2019
Snowcapped year round, a peak looming over the Northwest from Seattle to Vancouver, glacier covered Mount Baker located in Snoqualmie National Forest is a ski mountain designed for “Experts only.” Lift signage make those technical requirements clear.
Rising steeply to an elevation of 10,775 feet (3,285m), Mount Baker holds a world record (1998-99) snowfall ski season for having a reported 1,140 inches 95 feet or (2,896 cm.) Mount Baker also claims to be the first mountain to open its steep slopes to snowboarders.
Mount Baker is also known as Koma Kulshan or simply Kulshan, the 10,781 foot active glaciated andesitic stratovolcano in Washington State’s Northern Cascades. After Mount Saint Helens, the mountain has the second-most thermally active crater in the Cascade Range
My expertise, scuba diving and sport fishing, doesn’t include chaining car tires to drive a harrowing, winding 37 mile ice-covered road to reach Mt Baker’s ski area. Nope, there’s not much focus on après ski, fashionistas, or gourmet dining. This is just plain hard core skiing.
Summer months attract bicycle riders and hikers. Some of us who admire these year round glacial peaks from as far away as Vancouver, British Columbia.
Visitors will also want to view Nootsack Falls. This waterfall along the North Fork of the Nooksack River in Whatcom County flows through a narrow valley before cascading 88 feet into the forested cover near the cliffs edge.
During the 90s, after a dozen or more lost their lives plunging over the area’s steep cliffs, the Park Service added a chain link barrier with numerous caution signs. The short two thirds of a mile trail to the best viewing place is not groomed, it’s a scramble over rocks and old growth tree roots.
From Glacier travel east on Mt Baker Highway for about 13 miles and take a slight left on Forest Road 32. It’s not well signed, but picnic tables are available at Shuksan overlooking the Nootshank River.
Prior to reaching the ski area base, a small lake called Heather Meadows dotted with heather and huckleberry meadows enhance the majestic landscape for summer visitors.
Mt Baker is a unique destination for hard core athletes. There are few amenities other than B &B’s and some roadside restaurants, the exception being Milano’s. For expert skiers, this is a destination for you.