Hiking the Chain Lakes Loop Trail in the Mount Baker Wilderness
Contents
Chain Lakes Loop Hike Information
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 10.00Km (6.20 Miles)
Elevation Gain: 550m (1,804 Ft.)
Highest Elevation: 1,660m (5,446 Ft.)
Average Gradient: 11.00%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Moderate / Very High
Time Needed:
– Slow: 4 – 5 Hours
– Moderate: 3 – 4 Hours
– Fast: 2.5 – 3 Hours
Dogs Permitted?: Yes
Season: ~July to October
4×4 / High Clearance Required? No
Scrambling / Exposure: None
Chain Lakes Loop Trail
Trailhead Coordinates: 48°51’18.2″N 121°41’00.9″W
Chain Lakes Loop Overview
The Chain Lakes Loop is a very popular hike in the Mount Baker Wilderness area of northern Washington. Thanks to the ability to park at over 1,500m (4,920 Ft.) combined with a well maintained trail, this hike is accessible for all abilities and offers incredible views for the entire hike. The trail circumnavigates around Table Mountain, offering constant views of Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan, two iconic peaks of Washington, all the while meandering around a number of pristine alpine lakes that you’re more than welcome to swim in.
As a looped hike, people have the option of hiking this trail either clockwise or counterclockwise, with different parties preferring different options. It doesn’t particularly matter which way you hike, the views will be fantastic regardless, but this blog will assume you hike clockwise. The hike can also begin at a couple of different parking lots along Mount Baker Highway, with the standard parking lot being Artist Point. I would actually suggest not starting there, as if you do your hike will end with a steep uphill climb during the middle of the day (or later), when it’s hottest. Instead, park at Austin Pass Visitor Center or Picnic Area and begin your hike by ascending to Artist Point. This way you will end your hike with a long & easy downhill from Herman Saddle to Bagley Lake.
While most people will complete this as a day hike, camping is also popular at both Hayes Lake and Mazama Lakes, with several designated spots for doing so. There are also plenty of options for extending this hike if you want something a little longer, such as Huntoon Point or Table Mountain, both of which are worthy additions.
While this is a well maintained trail, it is not that well signposted (in fact there are barely any signposts), so an offline map is recommended. The trail is also rugged in spots, with plenty of boulders to navigate at times. As such, don’t show up here in sneakers and expect it to be a walk in a park, sturdy boots are necessary.
In terms of seasonality, due to the elevation of this hike it is pretty much a peak summer trail only. While you can theoretically snowshoe this hike in winter (I did when I hiked Mazama Dome), it’s significantly more challenging and passes through complex avalanche terrain. Furthermore, access to the trailhead is reliant upon Mount Baker Highway being open for the season, so you should check to make sure it is open, especially if going early or late in the season. Generally speaking, July to October is the peak season, but you can absolutely still have snow along the trail at the start/end of this period, so if you want to guarantee snow free access, late July to the end of September are your best bet. If in doubt, check out AllTrails reviews for the latest conditions.
Dogs are welcome on this trail, and indeed are quite common. The terrain isn’t the friendliest for smaller dogs, and it’s a long hike with basically zero shade, so think twice before bringing a dog that isn’t made for hiking.
Maintaining this website requires a significant investment of both time and money, if you find this website a useful resource, please consider making a donation using this button.
Is the Chain Lakes Loop worthwhile?
Chain Lakes Loop is an absolutely breathtaking hike with constant views throughout. As a looped hike there is a lot of variety along the way as well, with mountain peaks, glaciers and pristine alpine lakes. It’s obvious why this is so popular, it’s perhaps one of the best easily accessible hikes in the Pacific Northwest.
How difficult is the Chain Lakes Loop hike?
At just 10km and 550m elevation gain this is a very moderate hike, perhaps even leaning closer to being easy. Most parties will be finished within 3 – 4 hours at a casual pace with frequent breaks. You will no doubt be stopping for photos throughout the whole hike. The only challenging parts are the climb up to Herman Saddle and then the climb up to Artist Point from Bagley Lakes. Outside of those, most of the hike is either flat or downhill. If you take your time on the climbs you shouldn’t find this too challenging.
Technically the hike is straightforward. The only challenge could be some of the rocky stretches of terrain, but that’s about it. As noted a map would be useful as the trail is not well signposted and there are a number of junctions you need to take along the way.
Chain Lakes Loop Route Information
Mount Baker highway is a paved road accessible to all vehicles. To park anywhere in the area you will need to buy a Northwest Forest Pass. There is a clearly signed pullout to buy one along the highway nearer the end, so if you don’t already have one, stop there and buy it (credit cards accepted). There are a couple of parking lots where you can begin this hike, and most people will just drive to the end of the road to Artist Point and start there. I don’t think this is the best starting point as it will mean you end the hike with a steep climb back up from Bagley Lakes. Instead, I suggest parking at the Austin Pass Visitor Center, or the Austin Pass Picnic Area and begin the loop from there.
From Austin Pass you should clearly see a small lake called Terminal Lake, which offers a beautiful reflection of Table Mountain if you go early enough. There will be a narrow trail climbing next to it in the direction of the highway, this is where you want to begin hiking.
The trail climbs at a decent gradient with ever improving views above Bagley Lake, with Mount Herman behind. Table Mountain and Mount Shuksan will also be visible. This is probably the least exciting part of the hike, and you might ponder why you’re hiking this when you could have driven it. Well, better get this out of the way now than end your hike with this climb.
You’ll soon climb a steep staircase as the trail nears another hairpin in the road, then shortly ahead you’ll actually cross over the road as the trail continues on the other side, reaching Artist Point immediately after. This is where most people will have parked, so now you’ll be joining the rest of the hikers.
The views will now be breathtaking, with Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan on full display, pretty much for the majority of the rest of this hike. At the other end of the parking lot the trail will descend slightly through a band of trees, exiting at the start of a long traverse beneath the steep southern slopes of Table Mountain. Make sure you don’t follow the trail that climbs Table Mountain, unless of course you want to add this on to your day.
The views really open up on this traverse, with staggering views of Baker and the vast valleys below. As you proceed, make sure to look behind you as the views of Mount Shuksan are arguably even better. The trail traverses across some steep rocky terrain and is mostly flat and easy to follow. There is certainly some overhead hazard from rockfall off the loose cliffs of Table Mountain, and this stretch is where there would be extreme avalanche risk in the winter. Thankfully that’s not a concern in the summer. Instead, you’ll get to enjoy an array of colorful alpine flowers along the way. These explode into life in the fall, with red, yellow and orange hues galore.
The traverse below Table in total is around 1.6km (1 mile) of easy hiking with stunning views. At the end you will reach a junction that is easy to miss. Keep an eye out for a wooden sign in the ground that should indicate the way, but if in doubt refer to your map. You’ll want to turn right at this junction as going straight will continue onto the Ptarmigan Ridge trail (a fantastic hike for a different day).
There’s a nice vantage point here for a break if you want one, otherwise the trail now begins a gradual descent below the steep cliff slopes of Table. Snow can linger here later into the summer, otherwise it’s mostly just boulders. After a little over a kilometer (0.60 miles) of descending you’ll reach the shores of Mazama Lake. The trail stays above this duo of lakes, but if you want to drop down to them it’s easy to do so. This is also one of the designated camping areas along the trail.
After just a few more minutes of hiking you will reach what some consider to be the nicest lake along this loop, Iceberg Lake. In the early season you can often see chunks of snow floating around the lake, but by the summer it’s usually thawed out. Still, the waters are generally ice cold, but many people do choose to stop here, have some snacks and go for a dip.
Back on the trail you’ll now wander around the eastern slopes of Iceberg Lake, soon reaching a junction. Keep right to continue on the Chain Lakes Loop, where the trail now passes between Hayes Lake and Iceberg Lake. If you were camping at Hayes Lake you’d want to turn left here.
The trail now begins its steady climb up towards Herman Saddle, with several nice viewpoints above Hayes Lake along the way. Most of this stretch is forested, with views mostly blocked by Table Mountain to the south and Mazama Dome to the north. As you gain elevation Mount Baker will start to come back into view, and you’ll soon see Iceberg Lake from higher up as well.
As you near Herman Saddle the forest terrain gives way to rocks once more. The route should be mostly obvious, albeit not always that well defined. It’s hard to go wrong here, but if need be, check your map. After a bit more grinding you will reach the saddle, where the views will be excellent again, with the vast valley below Mount Herman and Mount Shuksan to the southeast, and Mount Baker to the west.
Your hard work is (mostly) over now, as the remainder of the hike descends towards Bagley Lake. This whole hike down is beautiful, with the omnipresent Shuksan offering constant rewards. Over almost 3km (1.8 miles) you’ll gradually descend towards the lake, with multiple switchbacks making the gradient a manageable one.
Soon enough you’ll reach the shores of Bagley Lake, where again you might want to stop for a break. The trail hugs a cliff on the northern edge of a lake, with one narrow section that you’ll want to take care of. Once at the eastern end of the lake you’ll cross a bridge over Bagley Creek, with impressive views of the lake and Table Mountain backdrop as you do.
On the other side of the bridge you’ll want to ignore the trail to the left that follows the creek, instead you’ll need to climb up towards the Austin Pass Visitor Center. Unfortunately this still means you’re climbing at the end of this hike, but it’s only brief, and once you’re at the visitor center you’ll be thankful for the fact you parked here, and not at Artist Point.
When should I hike the Chain Lakes Loop?
If you want to avoid snow then you should probably time this one for July to the end of September. June will likely still have snow around, in which case you’ll need microspikes at least, and the snow will potentially return at some point in October, typically towards the end.
Top Tip
My biggest tip is starting from Austin Pass and not Artist Point to avoid ending your hike with a steep climb.
If you want to take someone new to hiking and make their life easier, you can actually make this hike easier for them by starting the hike at Artist Point and allowing them to finish at Austin Pass, while you hike back up to get the car and drive back to meet them. This will reduce the hike (for them) by about 1.6km (1 mile) and 200m of elevation (655 Ft.).
There is almost no shade on this hike, so bring plenty of sun protection. Also bring bug spray, as certain times of the summer they can be bad.
This is a very popular area, so an early start is suggested if going on a weekend. Ideally you’ll be at the trailhead by 8am to ensure a parking spot. Fortunately parking at Austin Pass is a bit easier than Artist Point.
If you want to extend the hike, consider adding on either Huntoon Point or Table Mountain.
