Mount Baker/North Ridge
A Grade II glacier ice climb with one step section.
Temporary Closure
2/9/23 UPDATE: Forest Road 39 is closed to motorized traffic, beyond the washout at mile 3.8, and will remain closed for the 2023 season. Foot traffic is allowed, with caution, around the closure area. Please do not park in front of the barrier. The area in front of the barrier must remain clear, to allow for emergency vehicles to turn around. More information on road closures is found on the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest's road and trail conditions web page and on the Baker Snoqualmie National Forest Facebook page.
getting there
From I-5 just north of Bellingham, drive east on SR-542 (Sunset Highway) to 1 mile east of Glacier. Turn right (south) on Forest Road 39 (Glacier Creek Road) and continue 9 miles to head of Mount Baker Trailhead (3,700 ft).
APPROACH
Follow well-established trail to Heliotrope Ridge, then traverse Coleman Glacier to bivy sites at 6,800 ft.
ASCENT ROUTE
From Coleman Glacier campsite, travel as directly to North Ridge as crevasses will allow. Avoid passing directly beneath Roman Nose and Coleman Headwall. Gain North Ridge by ascending its west slope, then continue up ridge as it steepens below ice wall at 9,600 ft. This ice wall is the steepest, most technical part of the climb. Above ice wall, the ridge lays back to an easy gradient. Near the top, make a leftward traverse at the final ice formation to reach summit plateau.
DESCENT ROUTE
Descend standard route via Roman Wall and Coleman Glacier.
TRIP PROFILE
| SEGMENT | TIME (HR) | ELEVATION GAIN (FT) | Distance (MI) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle to Trailhead | 3 | 133 | |
| Trailhead to Camp | 4-6 | 3,100 | 5 |
| Camp to Summit | 7-10 | 4,000 | 3 |
| Summit to Trailhead | 5 | 8 |
EQUIPMENT
Ice tools, pickets, ice screws and crampons.
NOTES
- This climb is quite popular and bottlenecks sometimes occur on the ice wall.
- Suitable Activities: Climbing
- Climbing Category: Intermediate Alpine
- Seasons: June, July
- Weather: View weather forecast
- Difficulty: Intermediate Ice Climb
- Length: 16.0 mi
- Elevation Gain: 7,100 ft
- 10,778 ft
-
Land Manager:
Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Mount Baker Wilderness, Mount Baker Ranger District (MBSNF)
- Parking Permit Required: Northwest Forest Pass
- Recommended Party Size: 12
- Maximum Party Size: 12
- Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12
- USGS Mt Baker
- Green Trails Mount Baker Wilderness Climbing No. 13SX
- Green Trails Mt Baker No. 13
Upcoming Activities
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