Mount Baker

To maximize your chances of success, Northwest Alpine Guides will select one of two standard routes on Mount Baker based on mountain conditions at the time of your climb. We will climb either the Coleman Deming Route from the north side of the mountain, or the Easton Glacier Route on the peak’s southern flanks. These routes are similar in length, elevation gain and difficulty. Both are excellent training grounds for roped glacier travel and mountaineering skills. Our professional guides will teach you the skills you will need for a safe and successful climb. 

We meet at the Guide Hut in Sedro–Woolley for an equipment check and orientation on the first morning of the climb, and then make our way to the trailhead and high camp the same day. On Day two, we wake early, ascend to the summit, descend to camp and return to the trailhead. 

The approach to the Easton Glacier begins among the blueberry bushes of Schriebers Meadow, leads over ice-fed creeks and through old growth forest before reaching snow via a sharp ridge called the Railroad Grade. High camp is in a wonderful location at the 6,000 feet of elevation near the toe of the glacier. The southern summit climb offers a more gradual glacial ascent to the lip of Sherman Crater, and then continues up the Roman Wall. 

The northern Coleman Deming Route offers a slightly shorter hike to high camp with less elevation gain than the southern approach. High camp is located above the Hogsback Ridge at the edge of the Coleman Glacier at 6,000 feet. The shorter approach makes the summit day route slightly longer and steeper. We ascend the Coleman Glacier to Colfax Col between the Black Buttes and Mount Baker’s Roman Wall, and then ascend Pumice Ridge and the Roman Wall to the summit ice cap. Overall, the two routes are considered roughly equal in length, elevation gain and difficulty. 

Our 3-Day Introduction to Mountaineering School and Summit Climb is designed for beginner climbers, and for climbers who have not previously used ice axe and crampons on glaciated terrain. The 3-day itinerary simply offers you more time to learn the skills you need to climb Mount Baker and other glaciated mountains safely with a guide. Our Mount Baker 2-Day Climb requires stronger hiking and backpacking skills. On the two-day itinerary, your guides will teach a 1-hour skills refresher once you arrive at high camp. Our two-day climb is best for those with previous climbing experience, or a high level of athletic fitness and the ability to learn quickly. You will be expected to maintain a swifter guided pace.

Easton Glacier / Southside

• Approach Time to Camp: 4-5 hours
• Distance: 3.5 miles, 2600 ft. gain
• Trailhead: Schriebers Meadow, 3400 ft.
• High Camp: 6000 ft.
• Camp to Summit: 5-6 hours, 4800 ft. gain
• Total Elevation Gain: 7,400 feet
• High Camp to Summit to High Camp: 6 miles round trip, 9+ hours
• Pack Weight: 40-45 lbs. trailhead to high camp, 20-25 lbs. high camp to summit
• Trail synopsis: This well-maintained trail is longer than the Northside route but gains elevation more gradually. We start the hike in a river valley, cross the Easton Glacier stream (Sulphur Creek), then proceed up switchbacks to a meadow at 4500 feet. From here we ascend the moderately angled “Railroad Grade Trail” which follows the crest of a glacial moraine. In early season we may camp at 5600 ft. in protected sites below treeline. In later season, we continue to follow the trail up the moraines above the lower Easton Glacier, taking us directly into Sandy Camp at about 6000 ft.

Coleman Deming Glacier / Northside

• Approach Time to Camp: 3-4 hours
• Distance: 2.5 miles, 2500 ft. gain
• Trailhead: Heliotrope Ridge, 3500 ft.
• High Camp: 6000 ft.
• Camp to Summit: 5-6 hours, 4800 ft. gain
• Total Elevation Gain: 7,300 feet
• High Camp to Summit to High Camp: 6 miles round trip, 9+ hours
• Pack Weight: 40-45 lbs. trailhead to high camp, 20-25 lbs. high camp to summit
• Trail synopsis: From the parking area, a well-maintained trail gains elevation quickly making this approach slightly shorter than the southside. After crossing Kulshan Creek at 2 miles (4500 ft.), we break out of the trees, cross another stream at 5400 feet, then climb a final steep moraine into Hogsback Camp. Camp sites are scattered between 6000 ft. and 6200 ft along the edge of the Coleman Glacier. Exact elevation and location will vary depending on water sources and other climbing parties.

Related climbs: Mount Baker Intro 3 Day, Mount Baker 2 Day, Mount Baker Traverse, Mount Rainier, Mount Shuksan Sulphide Glacier, Sahale Peak 2 Day, Sahale Peak Quien Sabe Glacier, Eldorado Peak, Glacier Peak

Climb begins and ends in Mount Baker – Snoqualmie National Forest

Plan to arrive the day before the climb begins.

Meet at our Guide Hut in Sedro-Woolley, WA.

Northwest Alpine Guides will provide you with a detailed PreClimb departure book upon registration including personal gear list, meeting location and driving directions.

Our alpine guides will meet you for team introductions, gear check, and group gear distribution. The drive to the southside Schriebers Meadow trailhead at 3,400 feet takes approximately one hour. The drive to the northside Heliotrope Ridge trailhead at 3,500 feet takes approximately two hours. The hike to high camp takes 4 to 5 hours. The team will set camp between 5,600 and 6,200 feet depending on the season.

Your guides will lead a one-hour clinic to refresh your climbing skills after arriving at high camp. Each team member will be assessed throughout the mountaineering school. You will need to demonstrate adequate fitness and proficiency in climbing skills as your safety is our priority.

We return to camp and prepare for our summit bid. The team enjoys dinner and early to bed for the next day’s climb.

Vertical gain climbing: 2,800 feet

Accommodations: Tented Camp

Our summit day begins early with a pre-dawn alpine start. From high camp, we climb moderate snowfields to the saddle between Sherman Crater at 9600 feet or Colfax Peak at 9000 feet depending on the route we choose. From here, both routes ascend the steep terrain of the Roman Wall in a final 1- to 2-hour climb to Mount Baker’s expansive summit plateau.

With the peaks of the North Cascades spread out below us, we traverse the summit to Mount Baker’s highest point, sign the register, celebrate and retrace our climbing route back to high camp. We pack our gear and hike to the trailhead.

We usually arrive back to the trailhead by mid-afternoon and conclude our adventure in Sedro-Woolley.

Vertical gain climbing: 4,600 feet

Plan to depart the day after the climb ends.

Itinerary Notes
Northwest Alpine Guides makes every effort to uphold the scheduled itinerary, although our guides are given discretion to adapt the itinerary for reasons beyond our control or due to the needs of the group. Meal schedule: (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner

At 8:00 a.m. on the morning of the climb, we meet in Sedro-Woolley, WA, for an equipment check and orientation before driving to the trailhead. We will email you detailed PreClimb information including a gear list and full departure details upon receiving your registration.

• $500.00 deposit includes a $250.00 non-refundable registration fee, due with application.
• Balance due 90 days prior to start date.

Price Includes

• Guided climb and instruction
• Boiled water for meals
• Professional mountain guide
• Group equipment (including tents, ropes, stoves, etc.)
• Wilderness Permits

Participants age 16 & 17: May participate in fixed-date group itineraries if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Participants age 15 and younger: May only participate in private climbs and must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

All minor climbers must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian throughout the entirety of the program. If either the minor climber or the guardian needs to descend at any time during the program, both climbers must descend together.

Since departures require a minimum number of participants, Northwest Alpine Guides must adhere to a stringent refund policy. The policy is intended to protect participants who have otherwise committed time and resources to the departure. Please read our Online Reservation for Terms and Conditions.

Day 1: Lunch & snacks for hike from trailhead to high camp, Dinner
Three or four 15-minute lunch & snack breaks during the hike to high camp. Dinner in high camp.

Day 2: Alpine Breakfast, Lunch & snacks for climb to summit and descent
Four 15-minute snack breaks on the ascent from high camp to summit, two or three 15-minute snack breaks on the descent from summit to high camp

Day 2: Remaining snacks for the descent to trailhead

We recommend that you bring a variety of snack food to eat while moving. On each day, we will encourage you to eat at regular, short maintenance breaks, roughly once every hour. These snacks can be critical for maintaining a steady supply of energy while moving up and down the mountain. We will not stop for a big lunch break.

Some examples of snack foods include dried meats (salami), jerky (turkey, beef, fish), tuna fish, cheese, crackers, bagels, dried fruit, nuts, chocolate, candy bars, gummy candy, cookies, energy bars and trail mix.

We cannot overstate how critical it is for you to bring foods that you enjoy eating. Eating properly is the key to maintaining strength in the mountains. We recommend a selection of sweet, sour and salty food.

When preparing lunches, please do not bring food items that require cooking or extensive preparation.

At 8:00 a.m. on the morning of the climb, we meet at the Guide Hut in Sedro-Woolley, WA for equipment check and orientation before heading to the trailhead. Upon receiving your registration, Northwest Alpine Guides will email you complete PreClimb information, including a gear list specific to your itinerary and other departure details.

The Guide Hut / Northwest Alpine Guides
305 F And S Grade Road
Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284

Click here for directions
Parking can be found across the street in the Park & Ride lot.

We sell a selection of basic mountaineering equipment in our Sedro-Woolley location. Following the gear check and orientation you will have an opportunity to stop at a market for other last-minute items.

From Seattle

Take I-5 North towards Burlington to Cook Road in Skagit County.
Take exit 232 from I-5 N

Turn right onto Cook Road, Head East to Sedro-Woolley
Follow Cook Road to Borseth Road in Sedro-Woolley, 7 min (4.3 mi)

At the traffic circle, take the 3rd exit and onto Borseth Road
Turn left onto F & S Grade Road

The NWAG Guide Hut is the first building on your left

From Bellingham

Take I-5 South towards Burlington to Cook Road in Skagit County.
Take exit 232 from I-5 S

Follow Cook Road to Borseth Road in Sedro-Woolley, 7 min (4.3 mi)
Turn left onto F & S Grade Road

The NWAG Guide Hut is the first building on your left

From Burlington

From State Highway 20 East, at the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit onto Cook Road (after the Walgreens)

Follow Cook Road to Borseth Road in Sedro-Woolley, 7 min (4.3 mi)
Turn left onto F&S Grade Road

The NWAG Guide Hut is the first building on your left