Baker Lake was in pretty good shape. There are a few tricky crossings over some creeks, which required caution, but overall the trail was in alright shape. No snow on any part of the trail. Beautiful scenery all along the walk and a nice camp at the end. Nice river views and impressive mountains.

We started out Sunday about noon heading up the Baker River trail. It's in road-like condition, very smooth, and level as a piano lid. The bridge to trail 610 along the lake is a grand achievement of suspension engineering. Quite a long bridge! But alas, we only stayed on trail for less than 1/2 mile. Then from a whopping 800' elevation we bushwacked and slogged up very steep forest to Blum Lakes at 5023'. This proved to be one of the most exhausting days I've had, due to heat, no wind, lack of water, and bugs, bugs, bugs. Yikes, there were a lot of bugs, so resting was nearly out of the question. 6.5 hours up. Monday we slogged our way up Mt Blum, enjoying the incoming clouds and being somewhat robbed of views. After all the work the previous day, it was a bit of a disappointment. But then it's plum dumb to climb Blum, I've decided. The descent was a long trip down, nearly 5 hours long. Routefinding is the major challenge, and avoiding a few cliffy areas.

This trail now connects to the North Baker Lake Trail so at the bridge, a suspension bridge spanning the river, you need to make a decision which way to go. Baker River, in it's green water glory is visable and accessible to the trail, but it's not a trail right on the riverbank. We were on the route right after the fourth of July rain so it was muddy in places. There is a foot bridge crossing that is under water at one of the creeks. The railing is secure and getting across is a matter of using that railing. It's not fording, but it's not trueful to say that you won't get your feet wet. There are great veiws into the river valley. The wall of Mount Shuksen soars above the camp at Sulphide. At the camp you are actually inside the North Cascades Nat. Park. It's described as the forgotten corner and you are likely to have it to yourself until later in the season. Also, you may have to share your hike with the black bears. We sited a cub at maybe a mile in and ran into a yearling or slightly older at the afore mentioned underwater footbridge. Be alert!!

I went to Baker Lake with the boy scouts so Fleetfoot went climbing with Dave. On Sun. Dick and I took some boys on a hike on trail 606 (Baker River). It starts out of the parking lot at the end of the Baker River road-about 25 miles from hwy.20.The trail is about 2.4 miles. Within the first 1/4 mile you reach a junction with the new Baker Lake trail (610). Here there is a new suppension bridge that is quite nice.High,wide and long.Shortly after this you will notice the trail is being re-routed. Some mud but very little compared to what there could be.There is just a little up and down on this trail as it stays close to the river.A few blow downs to go over or under but no problem. We stopped at Sulphide camp for a short break and headed back.Nice trail for a short walk,especially with kids. I drove road no.1152 to junction 014 and was able to go only three tents of a mile due on 014 due to snow. The road is in good shape to this point. The trailhead for Shannon Ridge is a little over a mile from here. There were two cars parked here.I also drove across the dam and turned left onto road 3721 which takes you to the trailhead for Anderson Butte,Watson Lakes area.I also got only 4.5 miles on this raod due to snow. As I recall it is about 10 miles to the traihead.It will probably be a few more weeks before you can drive to this trailhead.The lake is low but all the campgrounds should be open next weekend.

Warning: the climber's path that Beckey talks about starting from near Blum Creek on the Baker River (Lake) does not exist. We fought devil's club, slide alder and many other menacing fortresses before finally giving up around noon in locating some semblance of a trail. Upon inquiring in Marblemount, it was confirmed that the trail has not existed for many years. Plan accordingly!