MT. BLUM (7680 feet) 14–15 August 2004 Kevin and I headed out from the bustling Baker Lake & Baker River Trailhead on a warm Saturday morning, bound for Mt. Blum via the Blum Creek Ridge approach. About 10 minutes up the trail, we crossed the Baker River on an impressive suspension bridge. Just at the far end, we encountered a somewhat distraught-looking hiker coming toward us. We exchanged greetings and were surprised to learn that he, too, was heading for Mt. Blum, but he had spent the last hour or more looking for a reasonable route up the hillside. This solo climber turned out to be Dave Creeden, whom Kevin and I had met on Three Fingers several years ago! We joined forces and worked as a trio for the remainder of the trip. Based on Beckey’s sketchy and outdated approach description, as well as some recent route information by Steve Fox, we left the main trail just before (north of) Blum Creek—at a discouragingly low elevation of 800 feet. After 15 minutes of crashing through devils club, ferns, and deadfall, we stumbled upon a faint path leading alongside the creek. This path gradually became more defined and veered away from the creek as it climbed the steep shoulder of Blum Creek Ridge. We grunted upward through the hot, humid, stagnant air, each of us hoping our water supply would hold out long enough to reach Blum Lakes. At least we had shade…and no bugs. Although the path periodically faded in undergrowth, we managed to regain it each time until approximately elevation 5100 feet. At this point, we began traversing around the ridge’s right (south) side through moderate forest and light huckleberry brush until encountering a long talus slope. The two lowest Blum Lakes became visible below and ahead. We angled down to the 5000-foot upper and larger of these two lakes, arriving at a suitable campsite near the outlet just after 2:30pm (5.1 hours from car). These scenic little lakes were a blessed sight on this steamy afternoon! We rested by the shore and discussed our options for the remaining day. Although we all felt a bit worn down by the heat and effort, an early morning exit sounded very appealing, so we decided to make our summit push right away. At 3:45pm, we left camp and scrambled southeastward up a sandy gully to an upper lake at 5700 feet. This lake—another of the five or six Blum Lakes—had an exquisite emerald green color and was surrounded by orange-tinted, glacially polished, granite slabs. We skipped across the outlet stream and ascended the delightful slabs in a northeasterly direction. Above the slabs, rather than heading for Mt. Blum’s south ridge saddle, we turned northward and scrambled a Class 2 gully. This gully transitioned into heathery slopes, from where we could see a snow couloir leading directly toward the summit pyramid. (We noticed that several tarns perched on the heather benches here would make for a dandy high camp!) Kevin and I had carried ice axes, so we ascended the snow couloir, while Dave scrambled talus and scree along the edge. Above this couloir, gentle snow slopes and a scree gully got us to the east ridge crest, which provided fun, blocky scrambling to reach the broad summit area. We were on top shortly before 6:00pm (2.2 hours from camp). Some industrious persons (likely an early survey crew) have built a large cairn on the summit. Tucked into the rocks, we found a partially crushed, lightning-pierced, aluminum capsule containing a bunch of stapled papers and several loose sheets rolled up in a pepperoni bag. All in all, it was a sorry state of affairs. What this register lacks in elegance, however, it makes up for in historical significance: it records Mt. Blum’s infrequent ascents throughout the past seven decades, dating back to a 1945 climb by Fred Beckey and company! Granted, the oldest entries have been transcribed into typewritten form, but the chronology is nonetheless fascinating. For instance, Fred’s party got to the summit the old-fashioned way—they earned it—whereas the next two or three ascents were made by USGS personnel with helicopter assistance. We would like to have lingered on the summit but were hastened off by the late hour, the approach of dark storm clouds, and the sight of lightning farther east. Rain seemed imminent. We retraced our ascent route and arrived back in camp at dusk (1.6 hours from summit). The evening air was so warm, I took a plunge in the lake before dinner. We chatted with another group of climbers who had come up to the lake after us and were camped nearby; they intended to climb the North Ridge route the next day. Several episodes of light rain punctuated the mild, calm night. Each time, Kevin and I had to pull our bivouac sacks closed, whereas Dave slept soundly in his little tent. By morning, though, the sky was again cloudless. We arose at 5:45 and headed out an hour later. Our descent went pretty well, as we managed to stay on the path more than we had during our ascent. We strolled into the still-bustling trailhead area at 9:40am (2.9 hours from camp). Stats (car to car): 9 miles, 7000 feet gained. Route Comments: Beckey’s route description contains several confusing, outdated, and/or erroneous statements. Specifically, he mentions something called Griner’s Shelter (who knows where that is?), alludes to fording the Baker River (not necessary now, thanks to the new suspension bridge), refers to “Blue Creek” (should be “Blum Creek”), and says to head for a spur ridge “east” of Blum Creek (he undoubtedly meant “north”). Otherwise, his directions are reasonably accurate, even with regard to the ridge being “relatively easy travel.” I’d toss in the following supplemental comments. Leave the main trail at a point about 175 yards downstream of the Baker River suspension bridge and about 25 yards upstream of the stringer bridge over Blum Creek. The path is initially very faint but does get you through the valley-bottom unpleasantries with minimal grief. If you lose the path, simply angle southeastward and regain it along the northern bank of Blum Creek. This path follows the bank for a while, then veers left at about 2200 feet, veers right and crosses a tiny draw at about 2900 feet, climbs atop a narrow rock rib at about 3300 feet, and begins traversing around the south side of the ridge at about 4800 feet. Even where the path fades out, a fairly brush-free route can be found through the denser stands of forest. It would be an error, however, to expect a quaint little fishermen’s path leading you into Blum Lakes; this baby is relentlessly steep and hopelessly dry! Gear Comments: We didn’t really need ice axes or crampons, due to this summer’s very low snowpack; the entire climb could be done on rock that never exceeds Class 3. Unavoidable snow patches would likely be encountered in earlier season, warranting an ice axe.

Seven of us left the trailhead (800') on the Baker River trail #606 Saturday morning under gray skies. The weather forecast was rather gloomy, but our spirits were high. Originally, the plan was to cross the suspension bridge over Baker River and follow the trail around to good campsites along the lake. However, a severe washout a 1/4 mile or so at or near Blum creek on the Baker Lake trail #610 could only be crossed on downed trees. With the forecast for wet weather, the thought of crossing those trees when wet and possibly slippery coming back out was cause for plan B. So we backtracked to the Baker River trail and followed it to the end at Sulphide Camp (900'). The established sites are set back in the forest, but we chose to rough it closer to Sulphide Creek in scattered flat spots as we could find for tents. Views to the NW up the Sulphide Creek drainage provided constantly changing views of cloud-shrouded Mt Shuksan (9,127'). The rain started sporadically in the late afternoon and soon became steady all night. Although we were prepared for the rain, this trip provided an opportunity to appreciate the value of simple technological wonders like tarp rain shelters (not enough for all) for meals and easy-to-light-in-the-rain stoves (mine was not). Sunday morning, still raining steady, we packed up and headed out. Trail #606 was in pretty good shape. Puddles had formed due to the rain, with a few muddy places. All were easy to deal with. Baker River itself in a few places is eroding the bank to the point of threatening the trail. We returned to the trailhead in 1 hour and 10 minutes for the 2.4 miles of trail. The rain stopped for 20 minutes or so while we changed clothes and loaded up to head toward the dry comforts of home.

Visited the Baker Lake & Baker River areas with some great people, had fun! The road had a little snow on the sides but was completely open all the way to its end at Baker River Trailhead. Outhouse was open. Carried overnight packs up Baker River trail to the suspension bridge, which is in fine shape, and crossed the Baker River. Hiked the Baker Lake trail to Noisy Creek. Note that Baker Lake trail is out at Blum Creek - required log crossing and BW1 effort on the Dale Bushwhack Rating system - this was the crux of our hike, although there were many blowdowns on the Baker Lake trail. Sometimes we left bootprints in snow but mostly in mud and dirt. Turned up Noisy Creek trail - not maintained but in fine shape. Couple blowdowns - not too bad really. Saw one of the biggest trees I've seen in the Cascades - wow! Lots of huge trees on this hike - some rival the ones in the Hoh. Left Noisy Creek at approx 1500 feet and bushwhacked up the ridge (BW2) on an attempt at Bacon Peak. Didnt get far - stopped by cliffs after 600 feet of effort - maybe shoulda gone left when we went right? We worked it for awhile but couldnt find the way. No snow on the hillside at 2100 feet. Bailed down to Noisy Creek Hiker Campground on the shores of Baker Lake, just made it by nightfall. Now knowing we couldn't make Bacon, and spirits dampened by the rain, we chose to blow off our objective and come home a day early. We hiked back and crossed Baker River, then dropped our packs and hiked upstream on Baker River trail. Nice trail, big trees, very much a rainforest. We went as far as the NCNP Boundary before turning back. It was great to get out and carry a pack. And real nice to sleep in a tent in the rain. New friends and a beautiful forest - good times! Doxey

May 10-11, 2003 The East Bank Baker Lake trail is in good condition, with only several muddy places. A trail crew was doing some work just south of the Baker River trail junction. For anyone who has not been here, the forest is amazing. Highly recommended old growth cedars and some nice douglas firs. There's a short spur trail uphill at the Noisy Creek campground that leads to a giant douglas fir in about 1/4 mile. Check it out! Good views of Baker, Blum and part of Shuksan from the Noisy Creek area. Baker Lake is pretty low, which exposes the stump field, but makes for good beach lounging. We even jumped in for a quick swim since the sun was so warm. Eagles and hawks were feeding in the area.

Beautiful hike! Trail washout (passable but dangerous) about 1 mile in.