Basic Backpacking Field Trip - Baker River to Noisy Creek Camp

We had an amazing trip to Noisy Creek camp starting from the north end of Baker Lake trail.

After reading some past trip reports, we decided to start earlier than strictly necessary to try to get a campsite at Noisy Creek. We met at the ranger station in Sedro-Wooley since it's one of the last reliable places with cell signal, consolidated cars (one participant parked a car on a side street in town, since there is no overnight parking at the ranger station) and drove the long road to the north end of Baker Lake. The last few miles are unpaved and have some holes,  but I estimate that any car could make it. There was plenty of room in the parking lot at 9:30am, and we were on the trail by 9:45am.

The trail is in excellent shape, with gentle inclines and easy creek crossings. There was one great camp site open at Noisy Creek when we got there around noon, but the campers in the "primo" lakeside spot were packing up. We waited for almost two hours for them to finish packing, and the wait was worth it: 

The afternoon's agenda included swimming in the lake, eating berries, and hiking up the hill to see some big trees. Some boats on the lake provided entertainment, or perhaps we provided entertainment for them? Pirates showed up at some point in the evening, too. Everyone offered us food, from pit-roasted pork to pot and brownies; we politely declined.

On the way back, a stop at 5B Bakery in Concrete provided excellent coffee and pastries; highly recommended.