Backpacking Baker Lake
Baker Lake is a popular boating, fishing, and camping area for good reason. You can drive along the west bank and stay at plenty of reservation campgrounds with parking and boat launches. Here is more information if you want to come visit this amazing area
https://thedyrt.com/camping/washington/washington-baker-lake-horse-camp/gallery/media/523
Along the East Bank there is a full 14.5 mile trail with parking both at the north and south sides. To get to the campsites with the best views, needs must backpack in. The south side drives across the dam, which is a great experience.
First, before you grab your gear be forewarned that the bridge across Anderson Creek has washed out. It is completely fine if you are healthy, flexible, and have a lack of self preservation. At the time I went (end of April), there were no good options to cross. I went with crawling across a questionable log that looks like it is going to break sooner than later and possibly with me on top.
The trail itself is truly beautiful. I had initially thought to hit Anderson Campground, but it was still very early in the day and I was feeling good so I kept going to Maple Point.
When I arrived at the campground, I had the whole place to choose from so I picked the best site. I was alone for most of the afternoon. At the end of the day, a couple of couples joined me but they kept to themselves beyond a few smiles and wave
As the sun went down, I sat for over 90min just watching the light change across the mountains. Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan in the distance. The birds and bats were catching bugs. Big raptors were fishing. This felt like what being a human is supposed to be. Unplugged, yet not bored. These are the perfect moments. This is what technology is trying to take from us. Existing, being, and watching the light fade and the stars come up.
Never let that go
If I thought the evening was perfection, the morning was stillness and beauty at another level. I hated to pack up and head home, but it’s about a four mile hike back to the truck and almost three hour drive home. Maybe next time, I’ll stay two nights and really unplug.
