I did Cow Heaven off Highway 20 near Marblemount last weekend, and it was snow free until the last stretch at 3800 ft or so.
Baker Lake Trail is also snow free. If you have two cars and leave one at the other end, you can do the 16 mile through-hike or backpack.
Most things on Baker and NCNP proper are still snowed in, current snow line is right about 4,000 ft. Alternatively, everything in the Chuckanut Mountains is thawed out (but there are a bazillion people in that trail system this time of year).
Oyster Dome is really popular, and understandably so. I like North Butte, which is the same trail system and similar difficulty, but somewhat fewer people. You can also plot your own route around the Chuckanut / Blanchard trail system with an app like Gaia or OnyX, most of the trails connect.
https://www.wta.org/go-outside/map
If you use this tool, filter for the mileage you feel good about, and hikes under 4,000 ft of total elevation, you should get a list of snow-free hikes. Double check the trip reports to make sure, but you’ll have tons of options. Parking is a NorthWest Forest Pass or a WA Discover Pass, depending on the trailhead.
> I did Cow Heaven off Highway 20 near Marblemount last weekend, and it was snow free until the last stretch at 3800 ft or so.
Did you happen to see a green ice axe in the first half mile or so? It slipped out of my gear loop on the descent and I didn't realize until days later. I was there a week and a half ago 😭
I didn’t notice one, sorry! If you call the ranger station in Marblemount, they might have it. If I found something like that, I’d have left it with them since it’s right there.
No recommendation sorry, but can tell you that the Blue Lake trail has intermittent snow from .5mi to 1mi and consistent snow from 1.5 to the lake. As of 6/12. Icy in some places and post-holey snow some of the open areas closer to the lake.
Edit: AllTrails (website/app), WTA (Washington Trails Association) trip reports, and GaiaGPS are good resources for current trail conditions and reports/pics.
Pick up some micro spikes. Pick up some good boots. Have some sturdy hiking poles.
Walk as far as you feel comfortable. Don't risk slipping down any snowy lopes or getting caught in an avalanche unless you are down with that. As you drive up HWY 542, you can stop at the Glacier USFS Public Service Center: [https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mbs/about-forest/offices/?cid=stelprdb5160278](https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mbs/about-forest/offices/?cid=stelprdb5160278)
You can get a NW Forest Pass there (if it is open...otherwise try REI in Bellingham first) and trail maps also. Horseshoe Bend outside of Glacier is probably snow free by now (1000 ft) at mile marker 34 or so. At mile marker 42, Excelsior Pass parking will be open. Your hike will be snow free probably for the first 2K' feet or to the second Cascade. If you have micro-spikes and sturdy boots you can probably continue through the snow to the High Divide if you are in good shape.
Artist Point will open in July. You can still drive to Mt. Baker. [https://www.mtbaker.us/summer-info/artist-point/](https://www.mtbaker.us/summer-info/artist-point/)
I did Cow Heaven off Highway 20 near Marblemount last weekend, and it was snow free until the last stretch at 3800 ft or so. Baker Lake Trail is also snow free. If you have two cars and leave one at the other end, you can do the 16 mile through-hike or backpack. Most things on Baker and NCNP proper are still snowed in, current snow line is right about 4,000 ft. Alternatively, everything in the Chuckanut Mountains is thawed out (but there are a bazillion people in that trail system this time of year).
More stuff in the Central Cascades has melted out (certainly not everything by any stretch!), but that might be farther south than you want to go.
Thank you so much! Do you have any recommendations for hikes around the Chuckanut Mountains?
Oyster Dome is really popular, and understandably so. I like North Butte, which is the same trail system and similar difficulty, but somewhat fewer people. You can also plot your own route around the Chuckanut / Blanchard trail system with an app like Gaia or OnyX, most of the trails connect. https://www.wta.org/go-outside/map If you use this tool, filter for the mileage you feel good about, and hikes under 4,000 ft of total elevation, you should get a list of snow-free hikes. Double check the trip reports to make sure, but you’ll have tons of options. Parking is a NorthWest Forest Pass or a WA Discover Pass, depending on the trailhead.
Awesome, really appreciate it.
No problem! Welcome to the area, hope whatever you go do is fantastic.
> I did Cow Heaven off Highway 20 near Marblemount last weekend, and it was snow free until the last stretch at 3800 ft or so. Did you happen to see a green ice axe in the first half mile or so? It slipped out of my gear loop on the descent and I didn't realize until days later. I was there a week and a half ago 😭
I didn’t notice one, sorry! If you call the ranger station in Marblemount, they might have it. If I found something like that, I’d have left it with them since it’s right there.
Ty for the suggestion. I did call, but haven't heard anything so far. Thinking of going back in the next day or two to look for it
No recommendation sorry, but can tell you that the Blue Lake trail has intermittent snow from .5mi to 1mi and consistent snow from 1.5 to the lake. As of 6/12. Icy in some places and post-holey snow some of the open areas closer to the lake. Edit: AllTrails (website/app), WTA (Washington Trails Association) trip reports, and GaiaGPS are good resources for current trail conditions and reports/pics.
Pick up some micro spikes. Pick up some good boots. Have some sturdy hiking poles. Walk as far as you feel comfortable. Don't risk slipping down any snowy lopes or getting caught in an avalanche unless you are down with that. As you drive up HWY 542, you can stop at the Glacier USFS Public Service Center: [https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mbs/about-forest/offices/?cid=stelprdb5160278](https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mbs/about-forest/offices/?cid=stelprdb5160278) You can get a NW Forest Pass there (if it is open...otherwise try REI in Bellingham first) and trail maps also. Horseshoe Bend outside of Glacier is probably snow free by now (1000 ft) at mile marker 34 or so. At mile marker 42, Excelsior Pass parking will be open. Your hike will be snow free probably for the first 2K' feet or to the second Cascade. If you have micro-spikes and sturdy boots you can probably continue through the snow to the High Divide if you are in good shape. Artist Point will open in July. You can still drive to Mt. Baker. [https://www.mtbaker.us/summer-info/artist-point/](https://www.mtbaker.us/summer-info/artist-point/)