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Abbotsford, BC
Canada
725 Posts |
Posted - 08/21/2012 : 5:48 PM
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I'm only posting this because Janice (kanike) requested it. Although I still hike, I’m not doing TR’s anymore – for two reasons: I’ve gotten too lazy in my old age and my hikes are sooo pedestrian.
The Chain Lakes loop in the Mt. Baker area is memorable not only for its spectacular views, but also for what happened when I first hiked it with a CT group almost five years ago.
http://www.clubtread.com/sforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=23633&SearchTerms=Chain,Lakes
The events of that day were very much on my mind as I started this hike with a friend. This was supposed to be a group hike, but the group that had started from Vancouver at 8:30 didn’t get through the border until noon and by the time they had stopped in Glacier for the recreation pass, motored up the mountain and were ready to go, the two of us who had come from Abbotsford were tired of waiting and we ended up hiking by ourselves.
All the trail descriptions for this loop direct hikers to drive to Artist Point and start the hike going out on the Ptarmigan Ridge Trail. Don’t!! If you do, you’ll be forced to walk back up the road to your car at the end of the hike. Instead, start the hike at the Austin Pass Picnic Area, near the Heather Meadows Visitor Center. Walk down to Bagley Lake, cross the stone bridge and walk along the far shore of the lake. The trail zigzags up to Herman Saddle before descending to the Chain Lakes: Hayes, Iceberg and Mazama Lakes. Once past the lakes, the trail climbs up to Ptarmigan Ridge. A left turn and then a mile along the beautiful ridge brings you to the Artist Point parking lot. If there is no snow, you can take the Wild Goose Trail down to get back to you car. We had to walk on the road as the snow on the perimeter of the top parking lot was still outhouse-high.
This loop provides huge rewards for a very modest effort: 10km with a cumulative elevation gain of 550m. It can easily be done in 3-4 hours, but to fully enjoy the views, a more relaxing pace is indicated. When you get to Artist Point, do go up Table Mountain; it’s only an hour to the top and back down.
 Bagley Lake, start of trail
 Monkey Flower and Spreading Phlox
 Herman Saddle  Mt. Shuksan from the Saddle  Mt. Baker from the Saddle  Mt. Baker and Iceberg Lake  Iceberg Lake  Mazama Lake   Five inflatable dinghies on Mazama Lake; people were having a blast  Mt. Shuksan  
 Lupines 
  Junction of Ptarmigan Ridge and Chain Lakes Trails
 Table Mountain  Height of snow at the side of the road
 Outhouse high! |
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Chilliwack
1285 Posts |
Posted - 08/21/2012 : 6:53 PM
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| Many thanks Hedda! Clicked on your link and was surprised to learn what you and the others experienced 5 yrs ago. Excellent link re: aspirin. Great details in your report as I'm pretty sure I understand now where the hike begins and where it ends. Must say I'm curious about the recreation pass. Is it a backcountry pass that one is required to pick up? My friends and I never had one when we hiked at Ptarmigan Ridge on Sat. Lastly, how long do you think it would take to hike from Artist Point down to the beginning of the Chain Lakes TH? Great pics. Lovely looking lakes! Thanks again! |
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 Outdoors addicted flyfishing, skiing, snowshoeing, hiking car crooner and resident motormouth
Da'Wack, BC
Canada
5378 Posts |
Posted - 08/21/2012 : 7:03 PM
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Really lovely area Hedda and your TR isn't nearly as pedestrian as some I've read Enjoyed reading it. Glad you posted. |
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bandana wearin', pole huckin', view lovin', dog herdin', 4x4 navigatin', lake huntin', butt-slidin' bridge crosser, who enjoys postholing with an overnighter pack
Surrey, BC
Canada
4663 Posts |
Posted - 08/21/2012 : 7:19 PM
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Thanks for the T/R  ! Can't believe how high that snow is  |
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Abbotsford, BC
Canada
725 Posts |
Posted - 08/21/2012 : 9:46 PM
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Janice, getting back to Austin Pass from Artist Point by road is 2 miles. The Wild Goose Trail that presently has still too much snow is less than one mile. It is quite steep and has a lot of stairs - definitely not something one wants to climb at the end of the day.
What you refer to in your TR as a $5 parking fee (and I loosely called a recreation pass) is the NorthWest Forest Pass that every vehicle must display when parked at a trail head. No backcountry permit is required unless one intends to camp.
Thanks for your comments, ladies! |
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Popkum, BC
Canada
5902 Posts |
Posted - 08/21/2012 : 9:55 PM
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| So much snow! I'd like to do this one again minus the heart attack. |
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Burnaby, BC
Canada
1310 Posts |
Posted - 08/22/2012 : 9:57 PM
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I don't think this TR is pedestrian at all - I thoroughly enjoyed it and really appreciate the condition report.
Thanks very much for posting! |
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in the valley, BC
Canada
1466 Posts |
Posted - 08/31/2012 : 09:19 AM
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Thanks for posting Hedda. Yes, your report brought back memories of that other fateful trip 5 years ago (wow, how time flies!) and I am sure happy this trip ended without incident.
Your pictures are beautiful. Still amazing how much snow there still is.
BTW, a annual Northwest Recreation Pass is $30. Worthwhile to get if one goes to Washington/Oregon often enough to hike.
Cheers! |
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Topic |
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Chain Lakes - Mt. Baker, Aug 18, 2012
