We just returned from a great couple days of hiking at Mt. Baker, and today near the town of Index on Hwy 2. The weather was beautiful and the hiking was great.
Our first day at Mt. Baker, we just did 3 miles to get acclimated to the elevation (over 5,000’). We hiked the Table Mountain trail, which turned out to be almost straight up for the first mile. Here is a picture of Janet pointing at our destination, the top of Table Mountain, from the parking lot.
As the next picture shows, the first mile of the trail straight up, very rocky, and narrow. Yikes, don’t look down. There were places where I had to crawl over the boulders.
But once we made it to the top, the views were spectacular, just don’t get too close to the edge.
Later, safely back down in the parking lot, we took another look at what we had accomplished. Table Mountain just behind us.
On Day Two we hiked Ptarmigan Ridge. We did not go to the very end, but did more than 8 miles and 1, 500’ of elevation gain. Here is Janet taking a short break after the first mile and pointing to our destination…somewhere out there.
And here is a look back at the first mile we had just covered along the rocky ledge. You can see the trail going straight across the rocks.
A few parts of the trail were through pretty plants and trees.
But most of it was a rocky moonscape.
Here is a beautiful view of Mt. Baker with the trail in the lower left hand corner snaking up to the ridge.
When we got to the top there were a couple of sparkling glacial lakes and beautiful views of Mt. Baker.
And across the valley is mighty Mt. Shuksan.
On Day 3 we started back toward home and did a small, but very nice, hike on Heybrook Ridge, close to the town of Index on Hwy 2. It was almost all in the trees with great views from the top.
Thanks for joining us on our adventures.
God bless,
Coe
Absolutely beautiful. Thanks for letting me tag along.
You guys are amazing – another exciting and breathtaking adventure. (Pardon the pun )
What wonderful pictures!
I’m loving reading about your adventures! Penny and I were in Birch Bay near Bellingham for the last week and talked about maybe driving to Mt. Baker, but more along the lines of observing from the car and not hiking up the mountain.
You both are in such great shape, you will live forever!