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Trip Report

Excelsior Peak via Damfino Lakes Trail — Friday, Oct. 3, 2025

North Cascades > Mount Baker Area

The Canyon Creek Road is in great shape—just a few pot holes and dips to watch out for. For folks who have done this trail often, you might be surprised to know that it is possible to see the very top of Mount Baker for three or four steps right on the trail long before reaching the High Divide ridge top. Baker can be seen just before entering the first big meadow area, and I mean just before entering the meadow, move a few feet into the meadow and unless you are 7’ tall, you will have missed it. The view is very dependent on your slightest positioning and if your eye level is below about 5’6” you may not be able to spot it. I probably would never have noticed this except for how the top of the summit contrasts so sharply in the early morning lighting. See pics below, if interested in this glimpse. Lots of berries by the trail, though the berries may be past peak or maybe I have just had my fill for the season, since the couple of handfuls I had were just “OK”. Since I started before dawn, I saw no one at all until heading back down past all the meadows and into the forest, where I passed about a dozenish hikers heading upwards around 10:00am.

glimpse of Mount Baker after sunrise long before reaching High Divide
frosted blueberry plants and other colorful trailside things
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