Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

EXPERIENCE THE CASCADES

Welcome to the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, one of the most visited forests in the country, located on the western slopes of the Cascade mountain range between Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, British Columbia. Here you will find glacier-covered peaks, spectacular mountain meadows and old-growth forests.

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Trip Planning

Every little bit helps – RAC funds assist local communities

Removing over 12,000 pounds of garbage off the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest is just one success county Resources Advisory Committees (RAC’s) accomplished in cooperation with local organizations.

“The County Sheriff’s office requested funds through the Whatcom and Skagit Counties RAC committee,” said Mark Holst, programs sergeant with the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office. “With our forestry work crew program, 124 low-risk offenders worked 176 days, providing 8,760 labor hours in the forest improving campsites, trails and public access.”

According to Holst, the forestry work crews satisfy their court obligations without full incarceration by providing labor. The work crews cleaned over 100 campsites, restoring 75 of them with improved facilities, performed flood repair and refurbished more than 15 miles of trails.

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GLACIER CREEK ROAD CLOSED

Access closed to snowmobilers and hikers

Recent storm damage has washed out Glacier Creek Road, closing access for snowmobilers and hikers. Glacier Creek Road (Forest Service Road 39) starts at mile post 35 off the Mt. Baker Scenic Highway (Scenic Route 542).

“The rain and snow initiated a rock and debris flow down a creek drainage washing out half the road,” said Jim Mitchell, roads manager with the Mt. Baker Snoqualmie National Forest. The road is closed at the Thompson Creek Bridge crossing eliminating recreational access.

“Glacier Creek Road is the access point to the Heliotrope Ridge trailhead and the Mt. Baker Vista Viewpoint,” said Mitchell. “Heliotrope Ridge Trail is a major climbing route to Mt. Baker, and Glacier Creek Road during winter becomes a snow park popular with snowmobilers,” he said. At this time there is no way to construct a temporary bypass.

“The road could be closed well into the summer season and may be open around August,” said Mitchell. “We will know more as soon as we can determine what can be built,” he said.

For further road and trail developments check the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest website.

Today’s youth going WILD

WILD has a new meaning. It no longer means out of control but rather growing, with an understanding for the environment, community and elders, while learning leadership skills for the future.

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More wild acres for Wild Sky Wilderness, Pacific Crest Trail

Wildlife will have more places to roam in 2009 with the acquisition of the Upper Wallace and Pacific Crest Trail parcels by the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests.

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Guided Snowshoe Walks

Tour Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass

Try snowshoeing and experience spectacular scenery while learning about winter ecology beginning the first week of January through March. Snowshoers need to wear layered and insulated clothing, hats, gloves and sturdy, waterproof boots for the snowshoes. The Forest Service provides snowshoes. To offset the costs of the program, a donation of $10 per person is suggested for all tours except the extended hike, where $20 is requested.

Snoqualmie Pass
Moderate, 90 minute snowshoe walk, Sat. Sun. 10 a.m. and 1 p.m
Extended, 1/2 day hike, Fri. Sat. Sun. 9:15 a.m.
"Kids in the Snow," Jan. 24, Feb. 28, Mar. 21, 1 p.m.
Reservations required, please call 425-434-6111

Stevens Pass
Beginners, Sat. Sun., noon-2 p.m.
Make reservations at Skykomish Ranger District, 360-677-2414

Stevens Pass offers a shuttle from Mountain View Chevron in Sultan to the resort at the highway summit. Check www.stevenspass.com for fees and schedules.

Friends of the Forest

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