Bellingham, WA : Heliotrope Ridge

Heliotrope Ridge

Whatcom County

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Address Glacier Creek Road Glacier, WA 98226

Directions
Head east on the Mount Baker Highway for about 34 miles. About a mile past the town of Glacier, turn right onto Glacier Creek Rd. Continue for about 8 miles to the obvious trailhead and restroom. (About a half-mile farther is a Mount Baker Vista.)

Description:
The 6-mile (roundtrip) trail wanders through ancient forest, follows historic climbing routes, and ends at stunning views of fractured glaciers, towering seracs, and crashing headwalls of ice. While the hike remains a favorite for its’ close encounter with Mt. Baker’s scenery, plants, and wildlife it also serves as the approach to one of the most popular climbing routes to the summit. It’s common to see casual day hikers sharing the trail with climbing parties carrying ropes, pickets, crampons and ice axes. The trail crosses a couple of streams that can get your heart racing and your feet wet. These are good places to look for Dippers, little birds that like to bob for food and nest behind waterfalls.

Once the trail leaves the forest, the views just keep getting better. Intersections provide options but most people continue up the narrow ridge known as the "Hog’s Back." The top of this ridge marks the beginning of roped glacier travel, so hikers stop here to enjoy the view. The distinctive lines of roped climbers inching (sometimes literally) their way up the Coleman-Deming route are frequently visible. Early season visitors may see skiers carving perfect turns on untracked snow. The upper trail remains in snow for most of the year so be prepared. You’ll often see people sliding down the snow slopes for an exhilarating descent but be aware that many tragedies have resulted here from unseen cliffs and thin snow bridges.

So if you’re ready to get up close and personal with Mt. Baker, give the Heliotrope Ridge trail a visit. For a view that’s nearly as good (and requires no hiking) drive past the trailhead another half mile to road’s end at the Mt. Baker Vista.

Written By: Bud Hardwick

Comments
I just got back from a trip up heliotrope ridge trail (Jan 22). The weather was good considering the last 3 weeks of constant precipitation. Snowshoes were a must. Skiis would also work, but there were enough rocky patches/stream crossings that the bases would get munched. I lost the trail at some point before the ridge, but followed it most of the way, and just when straight up when it seemingly dissapeared. I rode the bike from bellingham with all the gear in the BOB trailer, which makes for a nice bicycle/mountaineering trip. I didn't get far up the glacier however because the recent snowfall was reported as being highly prone to avalanches right now. I figured I'd check it out myself though, and indeed got the willies. Also, having not been on the coleman/deming route yet, I didn't know what to expect, so I turned around. The trip was wonderful though. Cheers!
- David on Sun, January 22, 2006

I actually ventured up the heliotrope trail to the tip of the glacier for the first time this July 10th and was extremely impressed. I had been aware of the trail for years but never bothered to find out what lay at it's end. The views kept getting better and better. It was a paradise of alpine beauty and a stunning close up and personal experience with a BIG glacier. I'm glad that my curiosity got the best of me. By the way, excellent web site.I will be back for more adventure when weather permits and more buddies can tag along.
- Jesse Miller on Sun, July 10, 2005

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