Mt Baker – Glacier Trek
- 2016 Dates: July 30; Aug 13;September 3, 17; Oct 1
- Duration: 1 Day
- Level: Beginner
- Client Ratio: 6:1
- Cost:
- – $155
- – $200 Includes transportation up to a group of 3
- Included: Guide, group climbing equipment, meals on the mountain, personal climbing equipment necessary to walk onto the glacier
- Not Included: Transportation, snacks on the trail, gratuities for the guide.
The Mt Baker Glacier Trek is the ultimate PNW day trip! Come trek on the glaciers of Mt Baker, aka Komo Kulshan, located in the North Cascades. The White Watcher’s fame stems from its accessible, enormous glaciers that climbers gravitate to learn on and challenge themselves whether on the gentle Easton Glacier to the knife edge North ridge.
Approaching via the Schrieber’s Meadow, trekkers have ample opportunity to practice their glacier mountaineering skills from the comfort of a 2-3 hour hike to the 6,000′ climbers base camp. We take in the views of the Twin Sisters Range, Mount Rainier, Mt. Shuksan, and the crest of the North Cascades. The mountain’s abundant alpine terrain make Baker an ideal location to enjoy short hike to the vast expanse of the Easton Glacier and walk up to ice walls and look down crevasses in the comfort of your hiking boots!
Drive from Seattle to the trailhead at Schrieber’s Meadow (3,400′) takes about 2.5 hours to the trailhead. The trail up the Easton Glacier gains elevation very slowly and we cover 3.5 miles to Big Sandy where we stop for lunch. As we hike, Giant Cedars, ant Hemlock way to timberline along the Railroad Grade (4,900′ and 2.5 miles in from the road). Small streams, mosses, wild flowers, and stands of Silver Fir give way to the rock and ice of the nearby alpine zones. As visitors to these most fragile zones, our group will strive to practice good wilderness etiquette and environmental responsibility. A brief glacier travel tutorial will be held nearby covering:
- Selection and use of personal equipment, ropes, knots & harnesses
- Crampon techniques,
- Roped glacier travel and crevasse navigation
- Discussions will include proper clothing, mountain weather, alpine ecology and Leave No Trace ethics.
- Examine the alpine ecosystem and witness the power of glacial erosion and other alpine features.
