Mt. Baker
Easton Glacier
The Easton Glacier route is an entry-level climb that is perfect for first-time mountaineers. With moderately angled glaciers, a gradual approach, and unforgettable views from the trailhead to the summit, this route is rewarding for novices and experienced climbers alike. Mount Baker's elevation and record-breaking snowfall totals help keep this route in good climbing shape well into the late summer season.
The Easton Glacier also makes a great advanced-level ski mountaineering objective in the spring. It does not get much better than skiing off the summit, dropping down the Roman Wall, and then enjoying thousands of feet of wide open glacier skiing back to the trailhead. Our Mount Baker ski mountaineering program follows the same itinerary as the standard mountaineering program
Duration: 3 days
Climber-to-guide ratio: 3:1 with a max. group size of 6
Prerequisites: None!
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Day One
We will meet at Riverfront Park in Sedro-Woolley, WA at 8:00 AM for introductions, a gear check, and a trip briefing. From there, we drive to the Schriebers Meadow trailhead, at roughly 3,400 feet, to begin the approach.
From the trailhead, we hike about three and three quarter miles and gain close to 2,800 feet, moving through old growth forest and open meadows before climbing the Railroad Grade, a moraine of the Easton Glacier. This trail leads us up to Sandy Camp, at around 6,000 feet. The hike takes roughly three and a half to four hours.
Once at camp, we set up tents and settle in for the afternoon. We will review core mountaineering skills together, including crampon technique, self arrest, and roped glacier travel. After an early dinner, we will turn in for the night, since tomorrow calls for a proper alpine start.
Day Two
We leave camp before dawn to give ourselves the whole day for the climb and descent.
From camp, we climb up onto the Easton Glacier and continue upward toward Sherman Crater, at around 9,700 feet, where we take a longer break before pushing on. From there, we ascend the Roman Wall and finish with a final walk across the summit plateau. In total, the round trip covers roughly six miles and about 4,700 feet of elevation gain, with most parties spending seven to nine hours on the move.
We reach the 10,781-foot summit of Mount Baker sometime in late morning or early afternoon, giving us time to celebrate, hydrate, and take in the views before starting our descent. We retrace the Easton Glacier route back to camp, where a well-earned dinner and plenty of water await.
Day Three
After breakfast, we pack up camp and hike back down to the trailhead, a three-hour hike. Once we are back at the cars, we will take time for a debrief, share photos, and talk through feedback and recommendations for your next steps as a climber. From there, it is time to head home.
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1:1 $2400
2:1 $1800/person
3:1 $1350/person
PRICE INCLUDES
Guide’s wage
Permit fees
Breakfasts, dinners, and hot drinks in the field
WAG bags
Group equipment such as ropes, tents, stoves, etc.
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
Personal equipment (see Gear List)
Transportation to and from trailhead
Field snacks
Lodging before and after trip
All expenses incurred in the event of early departure (evac fees, extra hotel nights, etc.)
Trip insurance
-
Trillium Alpine Guides will provide all group gear, including ropes, tents, stoves, and water purification. Please reach out if you have any questions.
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Sedro-Woolley is about two hours north of Seattle. If you are traveling from out of the region, flying into Seattle is the easiest way to reach the area. Sea-Tac is a major airport, and Seattle is a major destination in its own right, so you will typically find a wide range of flight options and airlines to choose from.
You can stay in Seattle or head north to Burlington, which is a fantastic city with lots of dining and lodging options. Either way, you will need to arrange a rental car to get to the trailhead.
During the summer months, most vehicle types will get you to the trailhead without any trouble, though most of the forest roads have large potholes, and a higher-clearance car will be more comfortable.
There are tons of places to stay in Seattle and Burlington, but below are a few lodging options that we have used before.
VRBO / Airbnb
Hampton Inn & Suites - Burlington
Coleman-Deming
The Coleman-Deming route is an entry-level climb that is perfect for mountaineers new to glaciated terrain. With moderately angled glaciers, easy rock scrambling, and unforgettable views from the trailhead to the summit, this route is rewarding for novices and experienced climbers alike. Mt. Baker’s elevation and record-breaking snowfall totals keep this route in good climbing shape late into the summer climbing season.
The Coleman Deming is also a great advanced-level ski mountaineering objective in the spring. It doesn’t get much better than skiing off the summit and down the steep Roman Headwall, followed by thousands of feet of wide-open glacier skiing back to camp. The Mt. Baker ski mountaineering program follows the same itinerary as the mountaineering program.
Duration: 3 days
Climber-to-guide ratio: 3:1 with a max. group size of 6
Prerequisites: None!
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Day One
We will meet at the Forest Service Ranger Station in Glacier, Washington, at 9:00 AM for introductions, a gear check, and a trip briefing. From there, we will caravan to the Heliotrope Ridge trailhead to begin the approach.
From the trailhead, we hike about three miles and gain roughly 2,600 feet of elevation, moving through forest and subalpine meadows on our way to Gargoyle Rocks Camp at the toe of the Coleman Glacier. The hike takes around three hours.
Once at camp, we set up tents and settle in for the afternoon. We will review core mountaineering skills together, including crampon technique, self arrest, and roped glacier travel. After an early dinner, we will turn in for the night, since tomorrow calls for a proper alpine start.
Day Two
We leave camp somewhere between 3:00 and 5:00 AM to give ourselves the whole day for the climb and descent.
From camp, we navigate the Coleman Glacier to reach the base of Pumice Ridge at around 9,200 feet, then ascend the ridge to the base of the Roman Headwall, a sustained slope in the 35 to 40 degree range. From there, we cross the summit plateau to reach the top. In total, the round trip covers about five and a half miles and roughly 4,500 feet of elevation gain, with most parties spending seven to nine hours on the move.
We reach the 10,781-foot summit of Mount Baker sometime in late morning or early afternoon, giving us time to celebrate, hydrate, and take in the views before starting our descent. We retrace the Coleman Deming route back to camp, where a well-earned dinner and plenty of water await.
Day Three
After breakfast, we pack up camp and descend the Heliotrope Ridge trail back to the trailhead, a hike of about two hours. Once we are back at the cars, we will take time for a debrief, share photos, and talk through feedback and recommendations for your next steps as a climber. From there, it is time to head home.
-
1:1 $2400
2:1 $1800/person
3:1 $1350/person
PRICE INCLUDES
Guide’s wage
Permit fees
Breakfasts, dinners, and hot drinks in the field
WAG bags
Group equipment such as ropes, tents, stoves, etc.
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
Personal equipment (see Gear List)
Transportation to and from trailhead
Field snacks
Lodging before and after trip
All expenses incurred in the event of early departure (evac fees, extra hotel nights, etc.)
Trip insurance
-
Trillium Alpine Guides will provide all group gear, including ropes, tents, stoves, and water purification. Please reach out if you have any questions.
-
Glacier is about two and a half hours north of Seattle. If you are traveling from out of the region, flying into Seattle is the easiest way to reach the area. Sea-Tac is a major airport and Seattle is a major destination in its own right, so you will typically find a wide range of flight options and airlines to choose from.
You can stay in Seattle or head north to Bellingham, which is a fantastic city with lots of dining and lodging options. Either way, you will need to arrange a rental car to get to the trailhead.
During the summer months, most vehicle types will get you to the trailhead without any trouble, though most of the forest roads have large potholes, and a higher clearance car will be more comfortable.
There are tons of places to stay in Seattle and Bellingham, but below are a few lodging options that we have used before.
VRBO / Airbnb
Hotel Leo - Bellingham
North Ridge
The North Ridge is one of the classic, advanced-level volcano climbs of the Northwest. The ridge itself ascends nearly 4,000 feet directly to the summit. Climbers should be prepared for challenging glacier navigation and multiple pitches of alpine ice climbing.
During the ascent, participants will gain confidence and become more skilled at moving efficiently through steep alpine ice and snow. This program is ideal for climbers who have completed our 5-day Mountaineering Course and have prior ice climbing experience. To prepare for this challenging objective, we recommend joining us in Ouray, Colorado, for three days of ice climbing the winter before your North Ridge climb!
Duration: 3 days
Climber-to-guide ratio: 2:1
Prerequisites: Glacier travel experience, previous steep snow and ice climbing experience, excellent fitness.
-
Day One
We will meet at the Forest Service Ranger Station in Glacier, Washington, at 9:00 AM for introductions, a gear check, and a trip briefing. From there, we will caravan to the Heliotrope Ridge trailhead to begin the approach.
From the trailhead, we hike about three miles and gain roughly 2,600 feet of elevation, moving through forest and subalpine meadows on our way to Gargoyle Rocks Camp at the toe of the Coleman Glacier. The hike takes around three hours.
Once at camp, we set up tents and settle in for the afternoon. We will review core mountaineering skills together, including crampon technique, self arrest, and roped glacier travel. After an early dinner, we will turn in for the night, since tomorrow calls for a proper alpine start.
Day Two
We leave camp sometime around 3:00
AM to give ourselves the whole day for the climb and descent.
From camp, we navigate the Coleman Glacier to reach the base of North Ridge, then ascend the ridge to the base of the ice step, a sustained pitch of AI 3 ice climbing. Once on the summit, we will descend the Coleman Deming route back to camp. In total, the round trip covers about six miles and roughly 4,500 feet of elevation gain, with most parties spending twelve hours on the move.
Day Three
After breakfast, we pack up camp and descend the Heliotrope Ridge trail back to the trailhead, a hike of about two hours. Once we are back at the cars, we will take time for a debrief, share photos, and talk through feedback and recommendations for your next steps as a climber. From there, it is time to head home.
-
1:1 $2400
2:1 $1800/person
3:1 $1350/person
PRICE INCLUDES
Guide’s wage
Permit fees
Breakfasts, dinners, and hot drinks in the field
WAG bags
Group equipment such as ropes, tents, stoves, etc.
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
Personal equipment (see Gear List)
Transportation to and from trailhead
Field snacks
Lodging before and after trip
All expenses incurred in the event of early departure (evac fees, extra hotel nights, etc.)
Trip insurance
-
Trillium Alpine Guides will provide all group gear, including ropes, tents, stoves, and water purification. Please reach out if you have any questions.
-
Glacier is about two and a half hours north of Seattle. If you are traveling from out of the region, flying into Seattle is the easiest way to reach the area. Sea-Tac is a major airport and Seattle is a major destination in its own right, so you will typically find a wide range of flight options and airlines to choose from.
You can stay in Seattle or head north to Bellingham, which is a fantastic city with lots of dining and lodging options. Either way, you will need to arrange a rental car to get to the trailhead.
During the summer months, most vehicle types will get you to the trailhead without any trouble, though most of the forest roads have large potholes, and a higher clearance car will be more comfortable.
There are tons of places to stay in Seattle and Bellingham, but below are a few lodging options that we have used before.
VRBO / Airbnb
Hotel Leo - Bellingham
