Baker River, North Cascades

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The Baker River drains the west side of the North Cascades range, merging with the Skagit River near Concrete.

There are two dams on the river, creating Baker Lake and Lake Shannon.

The Baker Lake Road extends 25 miles North from Highway 20 ending in a parking area along side Baker River. There are trails along the Baker River and around the lake.

I’ve been visiting Baker River for 20 years, been there in every season and weather condition. Here are a few images!

Please visit AndyPorterImages.com for info on classes and prints!

  • Mt Baker from Baker Lake Road
  • Baker River Sunset
  • Baker Lake
  • Baker River
  • Baker River
  • Baker Lake
  • Baker Lake Boat Ramp
  • Baker Lake
  • Mt Shuksan
  • Baker Lake
  • Baker River
  • Baker River Salmon
  • Baker River
  • Baker River Salmon
  • Mt Baker
  • Baker River
  • Baker River Trail
  • Baker River
  • Baker River
  • Camped at Baker River
  • Baker River
  • Baker River
  • Baker Lake Road
  • Baker River
  • https://andyporterimages.com/skagit-valley/
  • Baker River Trail
  • Baker River
  • Baker Lake
  • Baker River Trail
  • Baker Lake
  • Baker Lake Road
  • Baker River Bridge
  • Baker Lake
  • Baker Lake
  • Baker River Trail
  • Baker Lake
  • Mt Baker and Star Trails
  • Baker River
  • Baker Lake
  • Baker Lake
  • Baker River Trail
  • Baker River Trail
  • Baker River Bridge
  • Baker Lake Road
  • Baker River Trail
  • Mt Baker and Boulder Creek
  • Baker River Salmon

North Cascades Photography – Baker River

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North Cascades Photography – Baker River

The Baker River drains an area of 270 square miles in a complex of deep valleys partially inside North Cascades National Park.

Access is year-round via the Baker Lake Road. To get there travel east from Sedro-Woolley on Highway 20 about 15 miles. Baker Lake Road is well marked, its about 26 miles (20 paved, 6 gravel) from Highway 20 to the end of the road at the parking area for the Baker River Trail.

Baker River makes a great destination for anyone traveling along the Cascade Loop. There are great hikes, camping, boating and more along Baker Lake!

Along the way there are some wonderful views of Mt Baker.

At the end of the road there is a large parking area with rest rooms. You MUST have NW Forest Service Parking Pass to park there! You can buy one in Sedro-Woolley and sometimes at the gas stations along Highway 20, near the intersection with Baker Lake Rd.

Most of the trails in the North Cascades involve going up and down a lot. Seems like mostly up… But the Baker River Trail gently meanders its way along the river. There are some wonderful old-growth trees along the way.

About a quarter mile from the parking area there is a junction with the Baker Lake Trail. This trail crosses the big suspension bridge and heads back south, along the east side of Baker River and then Baker Lake.

The Baker River Trail continues alongside of the river. Here and there are a few spots where you can scramble down to the gravel bars.

Each year spring floods carve a new path. There is good camping, out in the open with views of Hagan Mtn and Ragged Ridge to the north.

Any season or weather is good for a hike here.

Fall can be spectacular along the Baker River. Often the side channels are filled with salmon.

I have camped on the gravel bars many times and have found that its a great place for night sky images. If you can manage to get both no moon and no clouds, the Baker River provides some wonderful south facing views. Here are a few.

If you’re interested in a guided photo tour of the North Cascades, here is the link:  North Cascades Photo Tours

Fall Colors of the North Cascades

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Baker River Trail – Fall Colors

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The Baker River Trail is at its best in the fall. The cool, clean, crisp air refresh your mind while the bright colors enliven the soul.

The trail is easy to get to, just follow the Baker Lake Road north from Highway 20 to its end (You need a NW Forest Pass to park). The trail starts right there and meanders along the west side of the river. The leaves on the ground create a magic carpet for your feet.

You’ll pass some huge grand trees, actually not just trees but patriarchs of the forest, old wise creatures standing guard over the River.

After only a quarter mile there is a suspension bridge spanning the azure waters. Go out on the span for wonderful views downstream as the river bends and the late afternoon light illuminates the colors on the east bank.

Continuing along your path the trail approaches the river at several points where you can easily scramble down 5 or 6 feet of embankment out on to gravel bars affording magnificent views of the wild river. Fall brings salmon to spawn and you can see their bright red bodies darting and splashing.

But don’t take my word for it, go see for yourself!

If you’d like to go on a Guided Fall Photo Tour, here are all the details!

New Moon Night Imaging Along Baker Lake Road

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Last night, December 3rd, was the New Moon. It was also a crystal clear sky…and cold! I considered several destinations for image capture and decided for the Baker Lake Road. The road heads north from the North Cascades Highway, passing from Skagit County into Whatcom, the road ends after 26 miles (21 paved, 5 gravel) at the trail head for the Baker River Trail.

Right at the end of the paved section the road crosses a large concrete bridge as it curves east. Here are superb views of Mount Baker. We stopped to admire the night sky…
stars 7em

stars 8em

The parking area was, not surprisingly, empty and we made the short stroll up to the suspension bridge crossing the river.

I started under the bridge, clambering over the gravel bars, trying a place to set up and capture the arc of the Milky Way and the bridge.
stars 5em

stars 4em

The wind was so strong at times that I needed extra weight/pressure on the tripod to ensure it did not topple.

In this image I flashed the lower side of the bridge with one swipe of my head lamp set to red.
stars 3em

The camera settings were f/4 (widest aperture), 10 to 13 seconds shutter speed and between 10,000 to 20,000 ISO. I was using a 24mm lens and the camera (Canon 6D) has a full sized sensor.

Of course I mounted the camera on a tripod and used a cable release. This was the extent of my photographic equipment and settings.

My last stop was atop the bridge, attempting to capture the tower silhouetted in front o the stars.
stars 2em

Nighttime imaging is very exciting! I hope to get out again in the next two days…