A Mount Baker Kind of Afternoon

From higher ground in both Victoria and Vancouver, Washington State’s Mount Baker looms large. Well, sometimes. Visibility of this epic dormant volcano is the marker of a clear day in our rainy region.

We’ve been excited about making the trip to Mount Baker this coming ski season, but a day trip recommendation in this month’s Sunset Magazine gave us reason to visit before the frost hits.

Crossing into the U.S. at the Sumas border crossing, we started following the magazine’s recommendations (which are just slightly off, making us wonder the writer actually made the journey, but whatevs), stopping first at Graham’s Restaurant in Glacier. We ordered the scrumptious salmon wrap and salad, fish tacos and polenta cakes, as well as two microbrews. Our bill came to $35 (at which point we discussed going back for lunch every weekend).

The ascent up the mountain through the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest lands was simply stunning. The Sunset-recommended Nooksack Falls were mesmerizing for their sheer force, and the nubilous turquoise of the Nooksack River (along with glimpses of the majestic glacier ahead) had us pulling over for more vista breaks along the way.

Even with lunch and rest stops, the trip from Vancouver to the drivable summit at Heather Meadows took under three hours. From there, abundant hiking options beckoned. Sadly, we weren’t equipped for more than a leisurely Sunday drive, but I’m guessing we’ll be back atop Mount Baker before the snow falls.