Hiking Mazama Dome in the Mount Baker Wilderness Area
Contents
Mazama Dome Hike Information
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 6.60Km (4.1 Miles)
Elevation Gain: 510m (1,673 Ft.)
Highest Elevation: 1,767m (5,797 Ft.)
Average Gradient: 15.45%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Moderate / Very High
Time Needed:
– Slow: 4 – 5 Hours
– Moderate: 3 – 4 Hours
– Fast: 2 – 3 Hours
Dogs Permitted?: Yes
Season: Year-Round (Winter Preferred)
4×4 / High Clearance Required? No
Scrambling / Exposure: Steep climb to gain the Mazama / Herman saddle, little exposure.
Mazama Dome Trail - Direct Route
Trailhead Coordinates: 48°51’42.0″N 121°40’57.0″W
Mazama Dome Trail - Table Mountain Circumnavigation
Trailhead Coordinates: 48°51’42.0″N 121°40’57.0″W
Disclaimer: Winter hiking (snowshoeing) involves significantly more risk than summer hiking. Hikers should be prepared with appropriate education, training and equipment for all possibilities, including but not limited to avalanches. A mistake such as going off trail, getting lost or injured can be far more dangerous in winter than summer. You are responsible for your own safety, and while I am happy to give my opinion on this website as to the avalanche risk of a specific hike, do not take this as fact and please do your own research. Everybody has different risk tolerances and mine might be different to yours.
Mazama Dome Overview
Mazama Dome is one of many summits located from the end of Mount Baker Highway in the Mount Baker wilderness area in Washington. There are a couple of routes you can take to summit Mazama Dome, with the fastest beginning at the Bagley Lakes trailhead and making a direct approach to the top, or an elongated route beginning from Artist Point, circumnavigating Table Mountain (via the Chain Lakes Loop), before ascending Mazama Dome from Herman Pass.
Thanks to the excellent Mount Baker Highway, Mazama Dome is a year-round objective and might actually be preferred in the winter, when the Mount Baker backcountry becomes a winter wonderland offering jaw dropping scenery. That being said this does pass through avalanche terrain, especially if doing the loop, so favorable conditions and avalanche preparedness and knowledge are a must for anyone going in winter.
Either way, the general route is much the same regardless of the season, ascending through a valley between Table Mountain and Mount Herman, to what’s known as Herman Pass. From here you climb steeply up to the saddle between Mount Herman and Mazama Dome, before a simple ridgeline stroll to the summit.
The longer route via the Chain Lakes Loop begins at Artist Point, navigates around Table Mountain, passing by several lakes in the process, before climbing up to Herman Pass and ascending via the same route from there. This route does work in winter as well, though it involves more avalanche terrain when traversing the southern slopes of Table Mountain. Both routes will be linked below.
Thanks to the well maintained highway this hike is accessible for all vehicles, however tire chains are mandatory in the winter months. Mazama Dome is a dog friendly hike.
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Is Mazama Dome worthwhile?
Given the relatively simple stats of this hike the views are extremely rewarding, with stunning views of Mount Baker, Mount Shuksan, Mount Herman and a lot more. If combined with the Chain Lakes Loop or Huntoon Point this hike is immediately rewarding and incredibly scenic no matter the time of year. Taking the direct route might not be the most preferred in actuality, it’s so short and the majority of it passes through a valley, however it’s the most direct route and the safest route in winter. Experienced and prepared parties should opt for the longer looped route around Table Mountain as it offers a much greater variety of scenery.
How difficult is the hike to Mazama Dome?
At just 6.6km and 510m elevation gain the direct route is a short, moderately challenging hike given the average gradient of 15.45%. In the summer it shouldn’t be too difficult at all given you will have a trail to follow for the majority of the hike. After departing from the trail you’ll likely have some light bushwhacking along the Mazama ridge, but nothing too debilitating.
In the winter this route passes through some steep terrain, with favorable avalanche conditions and avalanche knowledge a must. You will likely want to bring snowshoes and an ice axe for the climb up to the saddle between Mazama Dome and Herman Pass. Crampons might be handy in certain conditions as well.
The looped route will be almost twice as far but only marginally greater in elevation gain, around 800m or so in total. It will also pass through more avalanche terrain in winter while traversing around Table Mountain. In the summer this won’t be an issue of course. The final climb up is the same regardless of the route you take.
Mazama Dome Route Information
The trailhead for the direct route to Mazama Dome is from the Bagley Lakes trailhead on Mount Baker Highway. You could potentially also park at the Fire and Ice trailhead in the summer, though in the winter this isn’t accessible. If you opt for the longer route via the Chains Lakes Loop you’ll park at Artist Point, again this isn’t possible in winter. Note that in the winter tire chains are mandatory for all vehicles on Mount Baker Highway.
From the parking lot you’ll want to head to the southwest towards Bagley Creek where you should find the Bagley Lakes trail. In the winter there will usually be an abundance of tracks from skiers and snowshoers who have gone over to Bagley Lake, just follow them if so.
The trail will remain flat as you hike past Lower Bagley Lake first, before reaching Bagley Lake after around 1 km. In the summer you’ll want to connect to the Chain Lakes Loop trail by crossing a bridge over to the northern side of Bagley Lake, but in the winter the tracks will typically lead directly over the frozen lake.
Once you reach the other end of Bagley Lake the trail begins to climb gradually before quickly steepening. In the summer there will be an obvious trail to follow, with several switchbacks to reduce the gradient, but in the winter you’ll typically just follow the skin tracks that are likely winding their way up to the pass.
The trail will climb around 300m in a little over a kilometer, at least in winter. In the summer it’s a little longer as the trail twists around a bit more. Here you’ll reach the base of the climb up to the Mazama-Herman saddle.
The climb up to the saddle is a steep one, touching on 35 degrees in spots. You may need to take your snowshoes off and kick step up in the winter. There is often a well laid staircase up to the saddle as skiers like to head up and ski down the northern side of the ridge. Some people may choose to use an ice axe here but most people get by just using poles to gain the ridge.
Once at the Mazama-Herman saddle you’ll see the obvious ridge to Mazama Dome. In the winter it’s a fairly tame hike up on snow, with the odd steep roll here and there that you may need to zig zag up. At the end there’s a little bit of shimmying around some trees, but otherwise it’s quite simple. In the summer it might be a bit bushy but it will thin out as you get higher up.
From the summit the views are now panoramic, with incredible views of Mount Baker, Mount Shuksan, Mount Herman, Table Mountain and many other peaks on the horizon. In the summer you’ll also see multiple lakes from this vantage point, notably Iceberg and Hayes Lake.
After resting up at the top you simply return back the way you came. Take care on the descent from the saddle as going down is likely trickier than going up.
When should I hike Mazama Dome?
Mazama Dome is possible year-round, with both summer and winter making a fine time to visit. The winter will be more involved since this passes through avalanche terrain, so many parties will likely prefer summer. That being said, the views in winter from here are unique and spectacular, so if you’re confident hiking in the backcountry in winter I highly recommend giving this a go.
Top Tip
Combining Mazama Dome with the Chain Lakes Loop is a solid option given the fairly simple stats of this hike. This will be very straightforward in the summer, however in the winter this should only be attempted by capable and prepared parties that are confident and experienced in backcountry avalanche terrain.
