Mount Baker

This Saturday, Dave, Helen, Neil, Chris and I headed over the USA border to visit the Mount Baker area which is a 1.5 hr drive from our home. Mt. Baker is a somewhat dormant volcano although on cold winter days you can see the steam from afar streaming out the summit crater.  Mt. Baker is on the same geological fault line as Mt. St. Helens which blew apart in a volcanic eruption in the early 1980's.  The last time Neil and I were here was many years ago  for a ski trip in the winter months. I recall several feet of snow lining the road up the mountain. With the great summer the West Coast has had this year, the snow was all gone for a beautiful day on the trails. Our destination to park the car was at the end of the Mount Baker highway at what is known as Artist Point which boasts 360 degree views of Mount Shuskan and Mount Baker with  access to a variety of trails.

Where we started at Artist point is over 5,000 feet above sea level and it is typically buried under snow October through June. Not yesterday - it was a trail runners dream!

Chris and Dave in the shadow of Mount Baker.

We went as far as the trail did - lunch break!

Awesome views of Mount Baker which is climbed from the other side for the quickest access for those who enjoy glacier routes.

 

Almost back to the car - heavy breathing on the climbs at over 6,000 feet. Love it!

 

Last weekend we travelled to Lethbridge, Alberta where Neil completed the 100km Lost Souls Ultra Marathon in 16hours 15 mins. It was a hot day and tough course. Well done Neil! I was signed up for the 50 km the next day but I didn't get to bed until 3 am when my crewing job was done. 2 hours sleep after 17 hours of crewing wasn't going to be smart for a 50 km run. Watching the carnage on the trail all day was also not motivating me to head out there for a day that was predicted to be even hotter than the day Neil ran his event.  Next year...50km it is! See you next time Lost Souls!