Mount Baker

Northwest Alpine Guides will choose one of two standard routes on Mount Baker depending on mountain conditions at the time of the climb to ensure you the best chance of success. We climb either the Coleman Deming Glacier on the Northside of the mountain or the Easton Glacier route on the peak’s Southern flanks. Both routes are considered similar in length, elevation gain and difficulty and offer a great introduction to roped glacier travel and basic mountaineering. Our professional guides will introduce and teach you the skills necessary to make a safe and successful climb.

We meet in Sedro Woolley for equipment check the morning of the climb and make our way to the trailhead and high camp the same day. Day two, we wake early and ascend to the summit, descend to camp and return to the trailhead.

The approach to the Easton Glacier begins at Schreibers meadows, makes its way up through old growth forest and high alpine meadows before reaching snow via the Railroad Grade. High camp is in a wonderful location at the 6000’ level near the toe of the glacier. The southern approach offers a more gradual glacial ascent before reaching Sherman Crater and climbing the Roman Wall.

The northern Coleman Deming route offers a slightly shorter hike to high camp with less elevation gain compared to the southern approach. High camp is located above the Hogsback Ridge at 6000 feet. The shorter approach makes summit day route a bit longer and steeper. The route ascends glacier until reaching Colfax Col between the Black Buttes and Mount Baker’s Roman Wall. Both routes are thought to be of equal length, elevation gain and difficulty.

Our three-day mountaineering school and summit climb is designed for beginner climbers or for those without previous experience using ice axe and crampons on glaciated terrain. You will simply have more time for learning the skills needed to climb Mount Baker safely with a mountain guide. For those considering climbing Mount Baker as a two-day option, stronger hiking and backpacking skills are required. A one-hour skills refresh will be taught after arriving at high camp. Our two-day climb is best suited for those with previous climbing experience or a high level of athletic fitness and able to learn skills quickly. You will be expected to keep 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 the river valley, crossing the Easton Glacier stream (Sulphur Creek) and proceed up several switchbacks to gain a meadow at 4500 feet. From here the trail ascends the “Railroad Grade” which is a glacial moraine at a moderate angle. In early season we often camp at 5600 ft. at protected camps near the trees. We continue up the moraines overlooking the lower Easton Glacier. This takes us right into Sandy Camp at around 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, the well-maintained trail gains elevation quickly, which makes this approach a bit shorter than the southside. After crossing Kulshan Creek at 2 miles (4500 ft.), we break through the trees, crossing another stream at 5400 feet, we climb the final steep moraine we and arrive at the Hogsback Camp between 6000 ft. and 6200 ft. Camp sites are scattered along the edge of the Coleman Glacier, and 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 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 Schreibers Meadow trailhead at 3,400 feet takes approximately one hour. The drive to 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 – 6,200 feet depending on the season.

A one hour skills refresh will be taught after arriving at high camp. Each team member will be assessed throughout the mountaineering instruction. 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.

Accommodations: Tented Camp

Our summit day starts 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, it takes between one to two hours to reach the top. Both routes ascend the final Roman Wall steeply to Mount Baker’s expansive summit.

After enjoying summit views from Mount Baker’s highest point and celebrating our success we descend the route to high camp. We pack our gear and retrace the hike back to the trailhead.

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

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

8:00 am, the morning of the climb, we meet in Sedro Woolley for equipment check before heading to the trailhead. We will email you PreClimb info including gear list and departure details upon registration.

$500.00 deposit per person includes a $200.00 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, on a fixed date group climb, and accompanied by parent or legal guardian.

Participants age 15 or under, NWAG requires a private climb, and accompanied by parent or legal guardian.

A minor climber must be accompanied by their parent/legal guardian throughout the entirety of the program. If either climber must descend at any time during the program, both climbers must descend together.

Since departures require a minimum number of participates, 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, Dinner for hike from trailhead to high camp
Three or four 15-minute lunch & snack breaks

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 a variety of snack food for eating on the go, we do not stop for a big lunch break, we eat during short maintenance breaks throughout the day.

The idea is to keep your energy level up for the climb eating small amounts about every hour or so.

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

The importance of having foods that you like to eat cannot be overstated. Eating properly is the key to maintaining strength while in the mountains. A diet of sweet, sour and salty foods is recommended.

8:00 am, the morning of the climb, we meet in Sedro Woolley for equipment check before heading to the trailhead. We will email you PreClimb info including gear list and departure details upon registration.

Bingham Park
Sedro Woolley, WA 98284
Click for location on Google maps

We meet at the picnic table under the trees, in view of the playground. Following the gear check you will have an opportunity to stop at a market for last minutes 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 Bingham Park Loop in Sedro-Woolley, 7 min (4.3 mi)

At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit and stay on Cook Road
Turn left onto Bingham Park Loop

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 Bingham Park Loop in Sedro-Woolley, 7 min (4.3 mi)

From Burlington

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