Trails at Heather Meadows: WTA Work Party

Trails at Heather Meadows
Mt Baker Ranger District
This work party starts at 8:30AM

North Cascades, near Mount Baker. If you want spend a mid-week day working with stunning views of Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan, then this is a work party for you. Crew leader Arlen will determine which trail you'll focus on maintaining for the day.

The Mt. Baker Snoqualmie National Forest extends from the Canadian border to Mt. Rainier National Park and is bordered on the east by the crest of the Cascade Mountain Range. It contains several Wilderness Areas including Alpine Lakes, Henry Jackson, Glacier Peak, Mt. Baker, and several smaller areas. At the southern end of the Forest the terrain is more gentle with peaks in the 5-6,000 foot range while at the northern extreme the peaks are much more spectacular with summits in the 8-9,000 range. The Forest contains two volcanoes over 10,000 feet in elevation. The Forest contains old growth forests of hemlock, Douglas fir, and cedar. Glaciation has created many lakes and deep river valleys. Flora and fauna are varied and extensive and it is even thought that a few grizzlies remain. The Forest on the west is an urban forest, bordered by the Puget Sound metropolis. Many of the trails near highways receive heavy visitation with the attendant problems while those on the eastern side of the Forest are relatively unused. Early trails were the result of exploration and prospecting. The bulk of the trail system was built in the 1920's and 30's for fire lookouts and protection. Most of these trails were built for rapid access at the expense of the environment. The current trail system is over 1,200 miles in length.

Driving directions:
From Bellingham on I-5 take exit 255 east on Mt. Baker Highway 542. Our meeting point will be at the USFS A-frame at the ski area. The ski area is at the end of Highway 542. Follow the road past Picture Lake and under the ski area employee's lodge. After you pass under their building the road curves right (about ¼ mile) and the A-frame is on the curve.