Mount Baker/Easton Glacier

The Easton Glacier is moderately sloped, with one steep section on the Roman Wall just below the summit plateau, and gaining nearly 5,000 feet from camp to summit. Views of Glacier Peak, North Cascades, and north Puget Sound. Approach is popular with snowmobilers in early season. Times: 3-4 hr trailhead to camp, 5-8 hr climb to summit.

getting there

Take I-5 to just north of Mount Vernon and go east on SR-20 (North Cascades Highway) and turn left on Baker Lake Road. Continue 12.5 mi to just past the Rocky Creek Bridge, turn left onto Forest Road 12. Go 3.5 mi to Sulfur Creek Road (Forest Road 13). Turn right and follow it 6 mi to its end at the Park Butte Trailhead (3,360 ft).

Approach

Cross Sulfur Creek, through Schreiber’s Meadows, through timber, across melt water streams, and up forested slope (switch backs) to Morovitz Meadows (2 mi). From Upper Meadow take right fork to Baker Pass. Head up on a trail to the crest of the Railroad Grade. Campsites are in trees behind eastern moraine around 5,500 ft, and on ridge east of Railroad Grade at 5,800 ft. High camps are possible north of Baker Pass at 6,000 ft, and as high as 6,800 ft in low snow conditions.

Ascent Route

From high camp get onto the Easton Glacier and ascend almost due north aiming at or a little west of Sherman Peak. Near the base of Sherman Peak, go west to the eastern base of the Roman Wall. Go up snow slopes or ascend to rocky ridge, keeping right of Roman Wall. Ascend steep snow past the Roman Wall to large summit plateau. The summit (10,778 ft) is at the far east-northeast side.

Descent Route

Descend the climbing route.

Trip Profile

Segment TIME (HR)  ELEVATION GAIN (FT)
TH to Camp 3-4 2,400
Camp to Summit 5-8 5,000
Summit to Camp 2-3
Camp to TH 2-3

EQUIPMENT

Standard glacier equipment including wands.

NOTEs

  • The route described stays east (right) of the major crevasses.
  • In low snow conditions, a route can be found that borders the Deeming Glacier.
  • The upper snow slope is steep enough to pose problems, if icy.
  • In early to mid season, a direct line up the Easton Glacier may be possible, crossing the bergschrund on snow bridges.

Information for LEADERS

Scheduling

  • This route is for CLIMBS ONLY. Field trips to this area should be listed on the Mt. Baker Recreation Area Route/Place.
  • This is a very popular climbing route. Please check the PRIORITY CLIMBS LIST before listing trip to be sure your branch has priority for this route for the dates you plan to schedule it.

  • Suitable Activities: Backcountry Skiing, Climbing
  • Climbing Category: Basic Alpine
  • Seasons: June, July, August
  • Weather: View weather forecast
  • Difficulty: Technical 3, Strenuous 3, Basic Glacier Climb, M3G Expert Glacier Ski
  • Length: 14.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 7,500 ft
  • 10,778 ft
Map
  • USGS Mt Baker
  • Green Trails Mount Baker Wilderness Climbing No. 13SX
  • USGS Baker Pass
Activities

Upcoming Activities

Basic Glacier Climb - Mount Baker/Easton Glacier

Climbing Trip
3-day/2-night slow paced, early season Baker/Easton for Kitsap 2023 & 2024 students. (But be ready
Difficulty: Technical 3, Strenuous 3, Basic Glacier Climb, M3G Expert Glacier Ski
Fri, May 17, 2024 - Sun, May 19, 2024
Prerequisites, Leader's Permission Required
0 participants 0 leaders
Registration closes May 3
Kitsap Branch
Meryl Lassen

Seattle MAC - Snow 2 Field Trip - Mount Baker/Easton Glacier

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
This is the 2nd snow skills field trip covering more advanced glacier travel techniques including
Difficulty: Technical 3, Strenuous 3, Basic Glacier Climb, M3G Expert Glacier Ski
Sat, May 25, 2024 - Sun, May 26, 2024
Prerequisites
11 participants on waitlist 1 instructor 2 chaperones on waitlist
Registration closes Apr 25
Seattle Branch
Alvaro Juarez
Qualified Youth Leader

Basic Glacier Climb - Mount Baker/Easton Glacier

Climbing Trip
Priority to KC/DC SIG. Do not request permission until two months before the climb.
Difficulty: Technical 3, Strenuous 3, Basic Glacier Climb, M3G Expert Glacier Ski
Sat, Jun 8, 2024 - Sun, Jun 9, 2024
Prerequisites, Leader's Permission Required
0 participants 0 leaders
Registration closes Jun 6
Seattle Branch
Kiana Ehsani
Qualified Youth Leader

Basic Glacier Climb - Mount Baker/Easton Glacier

Climbing Trip
A Fri-Sat climb for Ambrose/Kate SIG
Difficulty: Technical 3, Strenuous 3, Basic Glacier Climb
Fri, Jun 21, 2024
Prerequisites
1 participant 0 leaders
Registration opens Jun 17
Seattle Branch
John Bell

Basic Glacier Climb - Mount Baker/Easton Glacier

Climbing Trip
A Fri-Sat climb
Difficulty: Technical 3, Strenuous 3, Basic Glacier Climb, M3G Expert Glacier Ski
Fri, Jul 12, 2024
Prerequisites
0 participants 0 leaders
Registration opens Jul 8
Seattle Branch
John Bell
Trip Reports
Resources

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