Baker River, East Bank Baker Lake — Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025

We began our hike at the Baker River TH at the end of the Baker Lake Road. The short unpaved section of the road is in fairly good condition with a few potholes which can easily be avoided. There were no other vehicles when we arrived at the TH. The outhouse had no TP and hadn't been cleaned recently, but the facility was usable and the cold temperature kept any odor away! The Baker River Trail and Baker Lake Trail share the first 1/2 mile. We were last here in 2018 and there has been a reroute above a washout of the old trail as you near the bridge over the Baker River. We crossed the bridge to continue our meander on the Baker Lake Trail. The beautiful old growth firs, western red cedars, and maples covered with mosses, ferns and lichens and the moss covered boulders, stumps and nurse logs add to the beauty of the area. Today in areas where the sun didn't reach the beauty was enhanced by the heavy frost. As we have seen in the past many bird's nest fungi can be seen and these are a favorite find for us!  The first were seen on the edge of the wood deck planks of the bridge which crosses Blum Creek. Shortly after crossing Blum Creek we found a piece of wood with over 50 on it! We had lunch on a log in the sun and warmed by hot coffee and tea.