United StatesWashington Mt. Baker
Mt. Baker Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

19.4
PDI
24 mi
DISTANCE
4,726 ft
GAINED
3.3 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
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Page Contributor(s): Bruce Hamilton, La Quinta, CA; Stacy Topping, Tacoma, WA.

INTRO

This scenic climb begins in Glacier, WA, which is the community closest to Mt. Baker, the northernmost mountain of the Cascade volcanoes, which stretch as far south as Lassen Peak in northern California and also include Mt. Shasta, Mt. Hood, and Mt. Rainier.

"One of the most isolated and scenic ascents in [the U.S.], Mount Baker is a long and spectacular climb close to the Canadian border in far northern Washington. Over a shallow grade within a drainage for the most part, scenery is king on this hill. Within the last few miles the grade increases as the route switchbacks in places up the mountain ridge. The parkway dead ends at Artist Point with incredible views of North Cascades National Park on clear days." (This quote is presented with the approval of John Summerson from The Complete Guide to Climbing (by Bike), 2nd Ed., p 225.)

PLAN YOUR ROUTE

We've partnered with Sherpa-Map.com to bring you the best route planning tool. With a PRO Membership you can use this climb as a reference when creating your route.
Average grade is 3.3% (4.7% climb only).  21% of the ride is descent, 42% 0-5% grade, 34% 5-10% and 3% is at 10-15%. The steepest quarter-mile is 11.3% and steepest mile 7.4%.  

See more details and tools regarding this climb's grade via the “Profile Tool” button.
Roadway:  Good to Excellent.  Mt. Baker Highway Conditions - wsdot.com.

Traffic:  Light - the road dead ends at the top, thus no through traffic. 

Parking:  In Glacier, at or near climb start:  Map;  Street View.
Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.

ROUTE MAP

MEMBER RATING

Difficulty: Strenuous
3.7
Road
3.3
Traffic
4.7
Scenery

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Olympic NP: Hurricane Ridge
United States (WA), Canada
8 ROUTES
19 POIs
ROUTE STATS (TOTAL)
125
mi
DISTANCE
14,009
ft
ELEV. GAIN

NEARBY CLIMBS (0) RADIAL PROXIMITY

FROM
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MEMBER REVIEWS & COMMENTS

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Sep 17, 2024
difficulty: Challenging
scenery: 5
traffic: 4
road: 3
Sep 17, 2024
scenery: 5
traffic: 4
road: 3
Considerably easier but way more scenic than Hurricane Ridge.
Aug 12, 2024
difficulty: Extreme
scenery: 4
traffic: 2
road: 5
Aug 12, 2024
scenery: 4
traffic: 2
road: 5
I love this climb. They close the road for race in mid-September which I recommend. The road can be dangerous with fast traffic.
Sep 11, 2023
difficulty: Challenging
scenery: 5
traffic: 4
road: 3
Sep 11, 2023
scenery: 5
traffic: 4
road: 3
A beautiful climb from a really cool ski town.
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CLIMB SUMMARY

Cycling Mt. Baker

Ride 24 miles gaining 4,679’ at 3.3% average grade.  

Photo: Stacy Topping one mile up, 24 to go!

Mount Baker is located in the North Cascades of Washington State and offers cyclists a challenging and scenic ride up to the end of  Mount Baker Highway (State Route 542). The annual Mt. Baker Hill Climb takes place here on the fourth Saturday of September, starting in Glacier and covering a 24-mile ascent to scenic viewpoint Artist Point with views rivaling Glacier National Park.

Scenes along the first half of the climb.

This scenic northern Washington bike climb begins in Glacier, WA (population 211 in 2010) by riding east on Highway 542.  Glacier is the community closest to Mt. Baker, the northernmost mountain of the Cascade volcanoes, which stretch as far south as Lassen Peak in northern California and also include Mt. Shasta, Mt. Hood and Mt. Rainier.  Mt. Baker is  10,781’ and was first summitted by Edmund Coleman on August 17, 1868.

Climbing Mt. Baker by bike - view of Mt. Baker across the Salish Sea

Mount Baker as seen from the Salish Sea near Port Angeles, WA (on our Hurricane Ridge cycling trip).

While the average grade of the Mt. Baker climb is only 3.3%, the steepest mile begins at mile 1.4 (9%) and the steepest five mile stretch begins at mile 12.7 and continues almost to the top, averaging 6.2%.

Drone photo of Mt. Baker taken near the beginning of the climb.

Ride near or along the North Fork Nooksack River from miles 2-7

“The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest is one of the most visited forests in the country. Located on the west side of the Cascades between the Canadian border and Mt. Rainier National Park, you will find glacier-covered peaks, spectacular mountain meadows and old-growth forests rich in history and outdoor opportunities.” fs.usda.gov

Scenes along the second half of the climb.

Mt. Baker Ski Resort and Raven’s Hut at ~mile 19

Before heading to Washington on your Mt. Baker cycling adventure, be sure to rely on our list of Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip, and use our interactive checklist to ensure you don't forget anything.

Bicycle climb Mt. Baker - pond near Chain Lakes Trailhead

Pond at the Chain Lakes Trailhead -- mile 22.

Fantastic scenery along the climb.

Mt. Baker in background top photo.

Mt. Shuksan is a prominent peak to the east as we climb

Mt. Shuksan is another scenic peak along our climb.  It can be mistaken for Mt. Baker, but just keep in mind that Shuksan is 2 peaks with minimal snow and Baker is one snow covered peak.  Also, Shuksan is east and Baker southwest as we climb.  Both are visible at the finish - Baker by walking just a bit up the paved trail at the finish of the climb.

Near the finish.

July 11, 2021

Finish

Biking Mt. Baker - Stacy Topping and Bruce Hamilton of PJAMM with bikes at Artist Point with Mt. Shuksan in background

Climb ends at Artist Point -- Mt. Baker in the background (peak 10,781’’).

Southwestern view from Artist Point of Mt. Baker.

Thank you Bruce Hamilton and Stacy Topping!!

CHAIN  LAKES LOOP TRAIL

6.5 miles, 1,820’ elevation gain

An excellent way to see Mt. Baker from a hiking trail is Chain Lakes Loop Trail:

Chain Lakes Loop Trail is a 6.5 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Concrete, Washington that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, and backpacking and is best used from June until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.  AllTrails - Chain Lakes Loop Trail

The trailhead is at the finish of the climb, at Artists Point.