TRIP NAME: Exploring Baker Lake
TRIP DATES: Sunday, May 4
DATE/TIME FOR INITIAL REGISTRATION ON THE WEBSITE: Monday, March 31 at 7:00 AM
TRIP LEADER: Susan Benepe
NUMBER OF PADDLERS (NOT INCLUDING THE TRIP COORDINATOR)
Minimum:2
Maximum:6
NOTE: A waitlist will be in effect for all HITW trips
DESCRIPTION: Baker Lake is actually a reservoir, not a natural lake. It's located in the Baker River Valley, southwest of North Cascades National Park, and about 10 miles north of Concrete, WA. It is fed by Baker River and numerous smaller tributaries. The lake runs approximately 9 miles, covers an area of 4,800 acres abd holds up to 285,000 acre-feet of water. The water levels fluctuate an average of 39 feet annually.
ROUTE: After launching we may head south to explore the 312-foot high Upper Baker Lake Dam area. We'll then start our journey north on clear tourquoise-green water with Mt Baker looming up ahead at over 12,000 feet, and the jagged snow-capped peaks of Mt. Shuksan at the north end of the lake with pristine forests all around. There are several boat-only access campsites, established campgrounds and sandy beaches on both the eastern and western shores to take breaks and have lunch. We may see boaters fishing for kokanee, a type of sockeye salmon. The popular 14-mile Baker Trail #610 meanders along old growth forest on the eastern shore ending at the Baker River. This is a must-see mountain lake if you've never paddled here before. The winds can pick up in the late afternoon so we'll plan to head back to the launch site in plenty of time.
NUMBER OF NAUTICAL MILES: approx. 10-15 nm
TRIP PACE: 2.5-3 nm/hr
SKILL LEVEL RATING See HITW website under “Trip Planning”: SKI & SKII, need to be able to wet exit
REQUIRED GEAR: Standard HITW -dry suit, PFD
, (16 ft or more) sea kayak with bulkheads and deck lines.
CHALLENGING CONDITIONS: Wind and waves. The trip will be cancelled if the conditions are unsafe.
LAUNCH SITE: PSE Baker Lake Boat Launch, near Kulshan Campground. It's approximately a 1.5 hour drive from Anacortes. Directions:
https://g.co/kgs/fDgpW9k
ARRIVAL TIME: 8:30 AM
LAUNCH TIME: 9:00 AM
RETURN TIME: approx. 4:30 PM
PARKING AVAILABILITY: Free parking at the boat launch
RESTROOM AVAILABILITY: At the boat launch
OTHER NOTES: Please pack a lunch, drinking water, snacks and a change of clothes.