INTERMEDIATE HIKE
Join us as we cross the U.S. border and head to Mt Baker, where we will hike to Lake Ann, a beautiful, small lake at the foot of Mt Shuksan (elevation 2,800m). We should also have great views of Mt. Baker on the way.
We will start with two groups of 12, assuming someone is available to lead the second group. (The US Forest Service limits hiking groups to 12 people.) The second group will leave 15 minutes after the first group. Remember to buy the parking pass at the ranger station in Glacier (see below for more info).
Length: 14 km round trip
Elevation Gain – 600 metres
Highest Point – 1500 metres
DISCLOSURE AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK
By going on this Meetup event, you acknowledge and agree that you are participating at your own risk and are entirely responsible for your own safety getting to and from the trailhead, on the hike, and during the course of the event. In case of accident, illness, or other incapacity, you agree to pay for your own medical and/or evacuation expenses, whether or not you have specifically authorized them. You also verify that you are in good health and are physically capable of carrying out this hike. Therefore, you agree to release the Meetup Group, the Organizer, the Meetup Host, and any affiliate from any and all liability for any loss, damage, expense or injury which may arise out of participation in the Meetup event, including during transportation to and from the event.
SUMMARY OF HIKE
We will start our hike from a paved parking lot just below Artist Point. If there is no parking at this lot, you can park above at Artist Point and walk down to the trailhead. We start by descending down into a beautiful alpine basin, complete with wildflowers and running streams. Eventually, the trail levels out, before ascending again into the sub-alpine forest. At this point, we will start getting a great view of Mt Baker.
The trail continues ascending up talus slopes and heather meadows and we will begin to see the top of Mt Shuksan. We eventually reach the saddle above Lake Ann and start descending down to the lake. Before reaching Lake Ann, we will come to a "T" with the trail on the left heading up to Mt Shuksan and the trail on the right leading to the lake. We will have lunch by the lake here while taking in the stunning views of Mt Shuksan.
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Please remember to give your driver some gas money ($25-$35) and bring an empty bag for your hiking boots. Please also make sure you have a valid passport and any other required documentation, if applicable.
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Driving Directions
Plan on leaving downtown Vancouver at 715AM and arriving at the Abbotsford/Sumas border crossing at approximately 8:30AM. Please add a comment to the meetup page (before crossing the border) if you know you will be late. After crossing the border, drive east on the Mount Baker Highway (542) for 34 miles to the Ranger station at the Glacier Public Service Center in the town of Glacier (on the right side). We will meet here near the parking ticket machines at approximately 930AM, although this will depend on the lines at the border. This is where you will need to buy a $5 parking pass for your vehicle. After meeting up with everyone, we will drive another 22 miles past Austin Pass Picnic Area to the parking lot JUST BELOW the big parking lot at Artist Point, near the end of SR 542. This is past the Bagley Lakes trailhead.
What You Should Bring:
Passport
Hiking boots
Hiking poles (optional)
Water (at least 2 litres)
Packed Lunch (NO FRUIT, VEGETABLES, MEAT)
10 Essentials
No fruit or meat allowed across the border. You can stop at the Boomtown Super Duper gas station across the border in Sumas and buy fruit there.
