Chain Lakes Loop: Mt. Baker USA |
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Hiking Key: M~2
Views
Steep/Hills
Views
Creek Crossing(s)
Length: 7 Miles
Elevation: 1540 Feet
Pit Toilet: Yes-beginning,along trail & at the end
Dogs: Yes-bring their papers
Directions: Take the Sumas border (marked as the Mission border on the highway) and cross the border. After the little town turn left on #547. This leads you to #542. Follow the Mount Baker Highway. Soon you'll come to a fork in the road, stay left, which is now #542. Follow this until you reach the town of Glacier, which is where you buy your parking pass for the day. It's after Maple Falls. It is $5.00 US unless you go on the last Saturday of September. This day is National Public Lands Day and parking is free! You can also buy an annual parking pass for $30.00 US. You can buy your parking pass outside on the machine or inside if it's open.
Today we started from the upper parking lot. We were lucky to have my boyfriend along to drive and meet us at the lower parking lot. We started at the opposite side from the bathrooms. When you first start there is a tree'd trail for short time then a rocky exposed trail with drop off flat. For the people who experience Vertigo this really got me here. I usually get it when the trail is exposed on my left side. However, I got through it. Then once again the trail was in trees.
The trail open again was a dirt trail, a couple of creeks and again rocky. This path is not as bad for the vertigo people as the first section. Finally you get to the branch; head to the right following Chain Lakes trail. Once at the top of the hill the trail starts snaking down. Watch your steps as you make your way down the rocky path. Then a little open area with cool rock on the side.
Soon after a bushy path. The path widens and surrounded by blueberry bushes as you make your way down to the first Mazama lake. The path gets rocky as you get closer to the lake. Listen for the Pikka squeaks. Cross over a creek with nature made steps.Tranquility comes to mind. Soon after the second lake appears. Iceberg lake. The next lake is Haze Lake.
The next part is a bit hilly as you leave the lakes. After climbing for quite sometime you finally get to a flat spot and then one last grunt the top where Herman’s Saddle is. It's a bit tricky up here as there are no sign posts and many have made new trails going in every direction. You will know you are on the correct path when you begin to switchback down far below. The path is rocky for the most part and you must be careful as you make your way down the path. Look back as the trail line is visible and quite the site to see. Soon the trail snakes it's way down as the bowl comes into site and Herman's Saddle is far away in the for a long time then a snaky rocky path. There is once spot hat chains would be handy to cross. It's a rock you must b=navigate your way across. Be v=careful as you make your way along this part that is a just a few steps. Shortly after a antiquated bridge comes into view. I love to photograph this bridge. Once you ave your fill cross it and make your way up one last time. On the granite are some fun steps to navigate as the parking lot comes into full view.
Wild Goose Trail (for those who must get back to the upper parking lot): You must take this trail to get back to your car. It's a bit tricky at times and not very well marked. The trail has some rooty and rocky sections and some log stairs. It's somewhat steep in some sections. In the past we ended up walking part way on the road. Happy & safe trails.
Views
Steep/Hills
Views
Creek Crossing(s)
Length: 7 Miles
Elevation: 1540 Feet
Pit Toilet: Yes-beginning,along trail & at the end
Dogs: Yes-bring their papers
Directions: Take the Sumas border (marked as the Mission border on the highway) and cross the border. After the little town turn left on #547. This leads you to #542. Follow the Mount Baker Highway. Soon you'll come to a fork in the road, stay left, which is now #542. Follow this until you reach the town of Glacier, which is where you buy your parking pass for the day. It's after Maple Falls. It is $5.00 US unless you go on the last Saturday of September. This day is National Public Lands Day and parking is free! You can also buy an annual parking pass for $30.00 US. You can buy your parking pass outside on the machine or inside if it's open.
Today we started from the upper parking lot. We were lucky to have my boyfriend along to drive and meet us at the lower parking lot. We started at the opposite side from the bathrooms. When you first start there is a tree'd trail for short time then a rocky exposed trail with drop off flat. For the people who experience Vertigo this really got me here. I usually get it when the trail is exposed on my left side. However, I got through it. Then once again the trail was in trees.
The trail open again was a dirt trail, a couple of creeks and again rocky. This path is not as bad for the vertigo people as the first section. Finally you get to the branch; head to the right following Chain Lakes trail. Once at the top of the hill the trail starts snaking down. Watch your steps as you make your way down the rocky path. Then a little open area with cool rock on the side.
Soon after a bushy path. The path widens and surrounded by blueberry bushes as you make your way down to the first Mazama lake. The path gets rocky as you get closer to the lake. Listen for the Pikka squeaks. Cross over a creek with nature made steps.Tranquility comes to mind. Soon after the second lake appears. Iceberg lake. The next lake is Haze Lake.
The next part is a bit hilly as you leave the lakes. After climbing for quite sometime you finally get to a flat spot and then one last grunt the top where Herman’s Saddle is. It's a bit tricky up here as there are no sign posts and many have made new trails going in every direction. You will know you are on the correct path when you begin to switchback down far below. The path is rocky for the most part and you must be careful as you make your way down the path. Look back as the trail line is visible and quite the site to see. Soon the trail snakes it's way down as the bowl comes into site and Herman's Saddle is far away in the for a long time then a snaky rocky path. There is once spot hat chains would be handy to cross. It's a rock you must b=navigate your way across. Be v=careful as you make your way along this part that is a just a few steps. Shortly after a antiquated bridge comes into view. I love to photograph this bridge. Once you ave your fill cross it and make your way up one last time. On the granite are some fun steps to navigate as the parking lot comes into full view.
Wild Goose Trail (for those who must get back to the upper parking lot): You must take this trail to get back to your car. It's a bit tricky at times and not very well marked. The trail has some rooty and rocky sections and some log stairs. It's somewhat steep in some sections. In the past we ended up walking part way on the road. Happy & safe trails.
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