With summer rapidly coming to a close, I decided to take a day and go up to Mount Baker to hike the Chain Lakes Loop. I wish I would have thought to check the Department of Transportation website before I went because I was not expecting the road construction which delayed me almost an hour. I pulled into the parking lot at Artist Point around 9:00 am, strapped on my pack and adjusted my hiking poles. I'd decided to hike the loop counterclockwise, thinking that I would get the steep downhill done while my legs were still fresh and have an easier time at the end of the hike. I came to regret that decision because it was insanely steep and I was terrified to falling, even with my hiking poles. It would have been better for me to hike up it than down, and if I ever do this hike again I will park at Austin Pass/Heather Meadows, hike clockwise up Wild Goose Trail and do the loop that way.
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| Selfie at the start |
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| Headed out from Artist Point to Wild Goose Trail |
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| Terrifying descent on Wild Goose Trail, even with my hiking poles. |
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| Bagley Lake below and I can see the trail I'll take up Herman Mountain |
Once I got down to Austin Pass/Heather Meadows, I wandered into the little informational building for awhile before continuing on down to Bagley Lakes. My legs were quivering with the effort I had put into the Wild Goose Trail descent and I needed a little break.
Upper Bagley Lake was a great spot to sit and have lunch, and I soaked my feet in the cold lake while I ate. There is cool stone bridge across the lake.
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| Nice lunch spot |
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| View down to Lower Bagley Lake |
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| The Mountains are Calling |
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| Climbing up Herman Mountain |
From Bagley Lakes the long ascent up Herman Mountain began. It was surprising hot out and there was very little shade. Fortunately there were several places where little streams crossed the trail and I took advantage of them to soak my hat, hair and even my shirt. The trail was rocky and hard on the feet and I found myself seriously wondering if I was capable of finishing this hike.
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| I can see Mt. Baker ahead! I must be close to the top, right? |
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| Looking back at where I came from and Mt. Shuksan |
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| Yes, I am at the top of the 5,400 Herman Saddle, with Mt. Baker to the left. The red face says it all! |
There were quite a few people at the top of Herman Saddle and I paused to take a few pictures before heading down the other side. A couple hikers warned me of a brief snowy section ahead where it was easy to lose the trail so I followed their advice and crossed it in a C pattern.
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| Mt. Baker |
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| Iceburg Lake ahead |
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| A bit of snow helps to cool me down |
The trail descended down to Hayes and Iceberg Lakes and the beauty of these lakes was wonderful.
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| Hayes Lake |
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| Beautiful meadows |
I passed Hayes Lake on my right and continued past Iceberg Lake on my left. I tried to stop at Iceberg Lake for awhile to soak my feet but the mosquitoes were voracious and quickly chased me back to the trail. I did eventually get to a lovely little stream that crossed the trail by a big rock and stopped there for awhile to filter some more water to drink and cool my feet. I continued past the Mazama Lakes and then it was time for another ascent.
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| Time to head up again |
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| Wildflowers! |
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| Oh the views of Mt. Baker! |
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| Resting in a spot of shade before the final push |
By the time I got to this spot, I was pretty exhausted. I rested in the shade until I felt I had some strength back, sipped some water and munched on some dried fruit. The last part of the trail was rocky with no shade and I was actually so tired that even the amazing views almost weren't worth the pain I was in.
Finally I reached the top, crossed the ridge and began the traverse on the other side. Below I could see Swift Creek and Rainbow Valley and even a bit of Baker Lake. Another hiker pointed out some mountain goats.
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| Mt. Shuksan |
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| Mt. Shuksan |
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| Baker Lake in the distance |
The last mile had amazing views and I'd like to do this part again when I'm not so tired. I think I would appreciate this more if I wasn't so exhausted. Finally, I reached the parking lot, flopped my backpack in the back of my car and collapsed into the driver's seat, cranking on the air conditioning full blast. The drive home was uneventful except for getting stopped in the construction again. The hike was an 8 mile loop with a 1,700 foot elevation gain.
