A very short hike to test out the limits of a torn calf muscle that in on the mend. This just the walk for that since it is almost completely on board walks. It is also a great road trip after being couped up. My partner got her tree fix in walking among these giants here.

The rest room is open and stocked.  

Road is paved the whole way. Parking lot has a toilet that is nearly overflowing. No snow, majority of hike is on boardwalk and all is ADA compatible.

Was in the area and wanted to see some big trees. Definitely saw some big trees. Kind of a cool old growth forest since a lot of it is marshy. Typically when I think old growth I think dense and dry forests, not around marshland. Lots of big Douglas Firs, Silver Firs, Hemlocks, and Cedars. There is one ~700 year old Dougie. A yuge fella. Also there was once a lightning strike tree according to a sign but it has since fallen down.

Didn't see any wildlife besides a small, fat, and talkative wren.

Insane how warm our El Nino winter has been. No snow in sight. Feels like April.

We were the only people in sight. I think this trail gets passed by this time of year. Really nice one to take kids or the grandparents to. Less than 0.5 miles around the loop. I really love the ADA trails that are managed as it allow everyone to enjoy nature.

Happy Trails!

still well maintained, had heard that over the last winter storms in the area there had been some serious tree falls. And yes large number of big trees are down but trail is clear with damaged areas of board walk having now been fully repaired. The tree falls have opened up a few new spots to view surrounding areas from.
Having said all this still a wonderfully beautiful location for an easy short walk in nature.

Beautiful day to introduce my newest grandson who came for a visit from Arkansas to the great outdoors. A very easy trail for beginners and people with disabilities and strollers. Level and mostly on wooden boardwalks or black top with lots of tall trees and bushy ferns as well as fallen trees from previous windstorms. Trail is in perfect conditions with no obstacles. Lots of shady areas but also lots of sun. We heard a very loud sound like rustling through the weeds thinking we might see a Bear or Mountain Lion since they have been spotted in the area. I was up here last year hiking The Baker River Trail and walked right into a Mountain Lion crossing the trail. He/she did not seem to have much interest in me which I was glad for but still chose to head back toward the trailhead as I was a ways back in there almost to Sulphide Creek campground in North Cascades National Park Territory. I have hiked this area extensively and if I had my opportunity to bring back a trail long past I would want to bring back The Shuksan Lake Trail #608. It is still there but the forest road had a big landslide and they chose to not fix it so it adds and extra 6 miles to your hike and the trailhead is so far back in that not one has done any trail maintenance in over 20 years. Since it is not used much it is reverting back to the forest. I wish we could make a new shorter trail up from the Baker River Trail to Lake Shuksan. WTA let's make this happen!!!!

This trailhead is right off the side of Baker Lake Road. You can't miss the sign on the side of the road. When you are done you should also travel over to The Kulshan Campground and checkout Baker Lake for some spectacular views and photo opportunity of Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan.

Take a look at my video here by clicking on the link below or checkout about 350 other hikes I have done around Washington State and beyond on my vimeo channel at https://vimeo.com/user81914660

As always get out there and see this beautiful state and enjoy your own hiking!!

Take Care,

Mike

This was a perfect evening hike for our young kids! Short and mostly flat, we enjoyed the fun facts on the signs, and we had it all to ourselves. There were a few recently-fallen trees across the trail but we were able to easily step over them. 

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