State Parks and National Parks

The Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest covers the west slopes of the Cascade Range for more than 140 miles between the Canadian border and Mount Rainier National Park.

Known for its fishing, hiking, mountain climbing and river rafting, it is one of the most popular forests in the nation.

It contains eight wilderness areas, 1,500 miles of hiking and riding trails and rugged mountains carved by glaciers. Some peaks rise above 7,000 feet, including two volcanoes, Mount Baker at 10,781 feet and Glacier Peak at 10,541 feet.

Six major rivers flow from the Cacades to Puget Sound. Each drainage area is a recreation haven, with trails, campgrounds, picnic sites and information centers.

The North Fork of the Nooksack River, farthest north, is paralleled by the Mount Baker Scenic Byway. This road winds up to Heather Meadows recreation area, where glaciers cover some of the tallest peaks in the range.

Thundering Nooksack Falls, trout-filled streams and the nine-mile Glacier Creek Road leading to the Mount Baker Vista are in this area.

The Skagit River, the next valley south, is famous for its bald eagles. The river is filled with spawning salmon from late summer to early winter.

Also in this region is Baker Lake, a reservoir with dramatic views of Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan. The Shadow of the Sentinels trail, accessible to wheelchairs, winds through some of the largest Douglas fir still standing in the Pacific Northwest.

Trails for hikers and horses ascend Mount Baker and wind through the Noisy-Diobsud Wilderness and Mount Baker National Recreation Area.

The valleys of the Stillaguamish, Skykomish and Snoqualmie rivers harbor scenic byways, an old mining town and an abandoned railway tunnel. The valleys provide trail access to the high country of Glacier Peak and the Henry M. Jackson Wildernesses.

Farther south, the White River flows around the north side of 14,410-foot Mount Rainier.

A Northwest Forest Pass parking fee is required at most

trailheads.

Photo credits in order: Photo by Penny Falknor, courtesy of Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Photo by Wendy Walker, courtesy of Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.