Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest – US Forest Service
Please click the link (above) to watch an update posted to the Facebook page. The update is also below:
Mt. Baker Highway Conditions Update for the week of Friday, November 19, 2021
Flooding caused damage to many of our roads and developed recreation sites. The Horseshoe Bend Trail was obliterated in many locations and is closed at mile 0.1. The road to Excelsior Group Campground washed out and the campground will not reopen. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed and roads that are currently open may be closed if more damage is found.
There is thin, patchy snow starting around 2500 feet, with the snowpack starting around 3000 feet elevation. Once snow covers trails, route finding will be required and there will likely be avalanche terrain. Avalanche terrain is not marked. Free, virtual avalanche awareness courses are available from the Northwest Avalanche Center. It is always a good idea to pack the ten essentials. Following Leave No Trace principles benefits land and people.
Road and Trail conditions:
- The Mt. Baker Highway is open to the Bagley Lakes Trailhead/Upper Ski Area Parking at mile 54.7. Picture Lake is starting to freeze but is not ready for sledding. There is about 2 feet of snow on the path around the Lake. Be prepared for snow travel through avalanche terrain route finding all other trails in the Heather Meadows Area, including the snowshoeing to Artist Point
- Glacier Creek Road #39 is washed out and impassable to vehicles at mile 3.7. The road will not be repaired this winter.
- Heliotrope Ridge Trailhead is at mile 8.
- Deadhorse Road #37 is currently open to the snowline at mile 9.3, but there was major erosion at mile 3.1 and the road may have to be closed at this location.
- Skyline Divide Trail is at mile 12.6.
- Canyon Creek Road #31 is closed at mile 5.7 due to storm damage. The road may be repaired this winter.
- East Church Road #3040 impassable to all vehicles except high clearance 4×4 at Fossil Creek spillway at mile 1.6. Unknown beyond mile 1.6. Trailhead at mile 2.4.
- Wells Creek #33 is suitable for all vehicles to Nooksack Falls at mile 0.75. The road is gated for wildlife habitat from November 1-June 30 at mile 0.8.
- Excelsior Pass Trail trailhead is snow free.
- Welcome Pass Road #3060 open, clearance recommended at mile 0.3, a trace of snow at the trailhead at mile 0.8.
- Twin Lakes Road #3065 open. Snow starts near mile 2.
- Yellow Aster Butte trailhead at mile 4.5, Twin Lakes at mile 6.5.
- Hannegan Pass Road #32 open. Snow starts near mile 3. High clearance recommended at mile 3.5 due to deep ruts across the road.
- Goat Mt. Trailhead at mile 2.4,
- Hannegan Pass Trailhead at mile 5.3.
- Nooksack Cirque Road #34 open, bumpy, brushy, but suitable for all vehicles.
- Razorhone Road #3070 is open to mile 2.4 with a trace of snow.
- White Salmon Road #3075 is snow covered with parking plowed out at the beginning near the highway.
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