It's hard to describe how excited we were to do this ride! I don't think either of us got any sleep the night before! Me - because I'd been there & ridden the first third of the trail two-years ago with Patty. It had been very hot, humid, buggy, technical - with slippery bridges around every turn. We'd finally had to turn-back to get to the trailer before it was too late in the day.
This time, Butch agreed to come with us. We left one trailer at the south end, then Butch drove the other up to the top, where he spent the day fishing, hiking, taking photos & enjoying a day-off!
9:55 a.m. We're On Our Way!
We met at 9 a.m. at the sign-post for the trail! I'd packed everything but the kitchen sink, knowing that if we got too far north - then found something blocking the trail, like the downed trees that the Ranger Station had told us were over the trail just past Silver Springs - that we'd be spending a night out there. Once you're that committed - you can't make it back before it's too dark to navigate that narrow trail, somewhat treacherous in many places.
First views of Mt. Baker
Just a few feet in, the allure of the trail takes your breath away with stunning views of the old-growth forest that is all around you - that is until you see the first of the views that you enjoy all day of Mt. Baker!
On the lake at Maple Grove -11:13 a.m.
It wasn't any time at all until we reach the campground at Maple Grove. The day was stunning & the peak of the mountain still had a cap of clouds.
We're climbing~
Before long, we were climbing, most of the trail is at about the same elevation above the lake, but in places you climb up & around rock outcrops, where the trail was blasted out of the rock.
11:55 - Trail - drop off hidden by greenery~
It's been a very dry year, but there were little trickles of water perking through the rock in many places, ferns growing lush everywhere!
Really Big Trees too!
This is a forest that has gone untouched by logging. In 1843 the volcano erupted, causing a fire that must have been something to see. There are still remnant snags blackened by the flames.
By 12:30, the day was warming up~
We rode through a section of the magnificent old growth & on into an area that was very green & lush.
Following Charlotte & Fancy
The diversity of the trail isn't really too amazing when you think of the huge mountain that it is carved from.
Once around the point, Baker greets us yet again!
By now we were both getting hungry & had planned to make the Silver Springs Campground for lunch - thinking that would be about 2/3rds of the way.
Charlotte & Fancy admire another view~
We could see up to the northern end of the lake by now! Pretty exciting!
12:40 - Looking north~
Finally, we reach our next goal, the Silver Springs Campground! We enjoyed the sound of the river & the mares enjoyed their lunch too! Farah was so surprised when she found that part of that extra weight she was carrying included grain!
1:40 - Ready for lunch!
We didn't tarry for too long, as we were both wondering about those downed trees & whether they would bring our ride to a temporary halt? We'd headed up the trail not realizing that it was "the" trail, then turned back to find the campground. Once we left the campground, we went back to the last sign-post & realized that yes, the trail we'd gone up a ways - was indeed the correct way to continue on.
2:04 - Trail~
Walking on down the trail, we were passing the freshly cut tree trunks before we realized that the forest service personnel had made it out to get them cut-out for us! What a relief that was! Next, Noisy Creek!
2:17 p.m. Crossing the bridge at Noisy Creek!
It was noisy! No surprise there :-) By now the mares were so used to crossing bridges that they hardly broke stride! Besides, it was so cool & pleasant near those rushing rivers!
Mt. Baker falls into our rear-view mirrors!
Again, since this trip was to see the sights as well as do the trail, we headed down to the water at the Noisy Creek Campground for the mares to get a final drink before what looked to be the dryer end of the trail, where we'd veer away from the lake.
Enjoying the lake water~
2:40 & we turn to leave the lake behind~
Now the day was clouding up, the humidity had gone up & we lost the nice breeze that we'd enjoyed most of the day coming off the lake.
3:-00 p.m. The big trees kept us company~
From here on, we started climbing a switch-back, we had more rock on the trail & felt a drop of two of rain. At what would be our final creek crossing, I stopped to take a video. Huge boulders, lots of water & both of us thought that a dip in that creek would feel darn good! But we needed to continue on.
It was 3:42 p.m. when I took this video... I'd told Butch that the very earliest he could possibly expect us would be after 3 p.m. & the latest... before dark! We still had a lot of trail ahead, so after a short break - the trail headed up - then down - some sharp little switch-backs.
4:26, Butch's first glimpse of us through the trees!
We knew we were getting close! We could hear the Baker River! That meant that the Suspension Bridge would be somewhere up ahead!
Farah sees "Dad"!
Farah was incredibly surprised to see Butch!~ I think by now she thinks he's the "Magic Man" who can appear no matter how far we ride & comes equipped with the trailer & food! Little did she know that we had one final bridge to cross!
Butch took this photo of the bridge at noon!
A Suspension Bridge at that! One of the most beautiful for it's size anywhere, over the Baker River. The video foreshortens the length - so I've added the photo above :-) You can see that it does have enough length of span to sway in the breeze!
Charlotte was talking about how the last horse can feel more of the sway than the horse going first, but with the wind - we started feeling the sway just before we reached the middle! Farah - who's gone through Mark Bolender's Extreme Mountain trail class, had to learn to not only cross, but turn 360 degrees on a small suspension bridge that Really Moved! So, when we felt the sway - she kept her cool & never missed a beat! It was SO Much FUN! You can hear us laughing! Was it with relief? :-)
Butch ran on ahead of us, Farah wanted to trot to keep up, but instead we checked out the small horse camp with tent pads to give him time to do a short video at our final destination! The northern end of the trail!
What an incredible day! There's just no way that photos or video do it justice. My GPS showed over 16-miles total at the finish. We walked the mares down to the rivers edge for a final drink before loading up to head back & pick up the other trailer.
At Baker River
If you put this ride on your bucket list, be sure to call first to check on the condition of the trail. Be prepared to spend a night if you don't make it all the way through - as once you're in over half-way - you probably won't have time to turn-back & make it before it's too dark to travel safely. Plan the day for the weather. Too early in the year & the bridges are slippery, too late & they're the same. Soak yourself & your horse down with bug spray. This year there were very few, but in 2011 - we were constantly attacked! Be sure you have a horse that will Do bridges, as you'll do a lot of them! Then - just ENJOY an amazing ride!
Trail #610 Baker Lake
Butch & I stopped for dinner in Sedro-Woolley on our way home & enjoyed a really good Greek meal! The perfect end to a perfect day!
When my friend Patty mentioned on Facebook that she was looking for someone to ride the Baker Lake Trail with her, I jumped at the chance! We started off early & arrived after about a 90 min. drive, at a wide space on the forest road where we could park the trailer. The bugs greeted us in Force! Drawing blood the instant they landed, Khari soon looked like she had red spots all over her body! They continued to bite even as I rolled on more heavy duty bug repellant!
Plenty of motivation to get out on the trail! It was so stunningly spectacular that I forgot to turn on my GPS - until we were in about half a mile. It was already10:30 a.m. & we expected to do a lot of trail - even if most of our conversation consisted of oohing & awing at the incredible huge trees & greenery that surrounded us!
10:42 a.m. About a 1/2 mile in~
Our planwas to ride the entire 14 +/-miles to the top & suspension bridge then return. We soon found that there was No Way we would be able to accomplish that! By the time we came to the first of the Many bridges over huge deep crevasses, we realized that this was no trail to be ridden at anything but a walk. The bridges were well-build & sturdy, most not slippery - but only maybe 3 ft. wide - with incredible drop offs - some on Both sides. Daunting to say the least! Khari - with some encouragement - took the lead & started over - nostrils flared, neck arched & cocking her head to the side! I would spot some Tera fir-ma on the far side of each & prayed! :-) After the first few, if bridges like that can become routine, they did - until we came to the BIG one!It was so long that it actually made a turn right over the middle of the deepest part!
Once over that one - the trail wound through the stands of trees & the footing was good, if narrow. We tried trotting for a bit, but hadn't gone far - when Shiny fell into a hole, his front feet dropping in about 18". He lifted himself right out - but that was the end of our attempt to increase our pace.
Next... the crossing at Anderson Creek. I'd been warned by Linda that it was a big, rushing, cold & large rock type crossing. (I didn't tell Patty :-) The water wasn't as high as I'd expected & the crossing had silted in some I think, from the last time Linda had seen it.
11:14 a.m. Anderson Creek crossing - gnarly at the far side
It didn't look too bad... We waded in & by the middle, were up to stirrup height. At the far side I could see a very deep holejust before the only place the horses had to exit the river. There was also a very large rock, with a long jagged edge that faced out the way the horses would have to move over it. Roots sticking out from the bank & about a 2' rise up to the trail. I got off mid-river & landed in water up to my knees. My long reins came in handy! I scrambled over the rocks & put my back against a tree while Khari got a drink. I used my stick to show her where to drop in to the hole. She carefully stepped down into the deep water, which came up to the base of her neck. Lifting her front legs up, she reared up & over the rock & roots & onto the trail! Beautiful job! Patty's boy Shiny - did the same - both very graceful & we were out!
11:19 - View of Mt. Baker
It wasn't much farther until we came to a sign pointing to the Maple Grove camp on the lake! We decided it was time for a lunch break! There was plenty of fountain grass along the shore, so the horses enjoyed some grazing.
12:30 p.m. Baker Lake from Maple Grove
With the thought that going back would take less time - we decided to go on & try to make it to what we thought might be at least half-way before turning back.
2:30 p.m. Mt. Baker & Baker Lake
The views were just stunning. The trail hugged the edge of the lake as far as we went with steep drop-offs straight down to the blue-green water of the lake. Finally - we were stopped by a very large tree that had fallen across the trail. Steep on the uphill side & straight down on the other. Too big to jump. We made the decision to turn back. Tough to do!
Khari & Shiny
As to our mounts... Khari did not want Shiny to touch her! He on the other hand - thought she was Wonderful! :-) The way back was just as beautiful as the way up! Except for those steep drop-offs down to the water - that were now on our right.
Straight DOWN!
We'd about forgotten
about the bridges by the time the first one came up! No, they hadn't
disappeared & looked even scarier as we approached! Khari would hesitate, then then lead the way. We did come upon a nice lady hiking who was very surprised to see horses on the trail! Khari was surprised to see her & cocked her head sideways :-) The lady cocked her head sideways too :-) We chatted then continued on - returning to the trailer about 4:30. The bugs had Not gone away, so we loaded up fast & decided to go up north to check out the large suspension bridge at the far end of the trail.
Suspension Bridge - far end
I'd left my camera in my saddle bag, so I didn't get a picture, but here it is - stolen off the net. Very doable with horses! We both plan to go again, in the fall when the bugs are better & to see the fall colors. Hoping to talk Butch into driving the rig up to the top to meet us! Dinner, beer, yes!
Looking due west at our route~
The Google Earth image above, gives an idea of the twists & turns of the trail. Great ride, Great Day!
