[lanzscape]

We originally intended on a 6 day backpack in Glacier Peak Wilderness, but the Buck Creek fire changed our plans, so we spent 2 1/2 days in Mt. Baker NRA, and 3 1/2 days in NCNP (Hannegan Pass/Copper Ridge). This report covers the Mt. Baker trip. On August 10, we (my brother, Jim, and friend, Jeff) flew from Ohio to Seattle, rented a car, went to REI for stove fuel, and found a motel up I-5. The next day, 8/11, we drove the rest of the way to the trail head, and hiked up to Cathedral Camp.

Schreibers Meadow from Cathedral Camp

looking east from Cathedral Camp

We set up camp, and then day hiked up to the Park Butte lookout. Just below the lookout, we were treated to an airshow demonstration performance by what I believe was the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, who were scheduled to perform in Vancouver the following day. They did at least four fly-by's of Mt. Baker in tight formation, while a isolation jet performed some rollover's and other stunts. It was amazing to watch from 5400 feet, and these photos don't do it justice.

Mt. Baker from below Park Butte

Air show

Air show

Air Show

After dark, we headed about 1/2 the way up the trail to the meadow above Cathedral Camp, and found a nice seat to watch the Perseid meteor shower above Mt. Baker until 1:00am. I hoped for some photos of meteors over Mt. Baker, but the moonlight on Mt. Baker was too bright for long exposures at high iso.

Watching for meteors from above Cathedral Camp

The following day, we day hiked up Railroad Grade to the climbers' base camp at Sandy Camp. The views from high up on Railroad Grade are most impressive.

View from Railroad Grade trail

View from Railroad Grade trail

High camp from Railroad Grade

On Railroad Grade trail

Climbing Railroad Grade

Looking south on Railroad Grade

View from Railroad grade trail

Climbers ascending Railroad Grade

On the way back to camp, I photographed the clouds over Mt. Baker and heather in the meadows.

Late afternoon below Cathedral Camp

Heather and Mt. Baker

In the afternoon, we headed back up to the meadow area above Cathedral Camp for water and to just hang out. What a beautiful area!

Mt. Baker

Mt. Baker reflected in tarn

Mt. Baker reflected in another tarn

Mt. Baker reflection

Enjoying the view while filling up

The scenery got even better in the evening.

Early evening reflection

Mt. Baker, rocks, and heather

Sunset on Mt. Baker

I awoke the next morning at 5:00am. The sky to the east look promising for a nice sunrise, so I grabbed my camera and tripod, and quickly headed back up to the meadow above Cathedral Camp, getting there just in time to photograph a fiery sunrise.

Fiery sunrise

Sunrise (alt)

Sunrise III

I headed back to camp after sunrise, and we hiked out in the morning. I took several more photos in the meadow below Cathedral Camp on the way out.

Finale

We then drove over to the Hannegan pass trail head, and hiked to Border Camp in late afternoon. I'll try to post a report of that trip soon. For three older guys (ages 59 to 67) from flatland (i.e., Ohio), this proved to be a very enjoyable and not too strenuous trip. The scenery was fabulous, and we were treated to two airshows (the Canadian air demonstration team and the Perseid meteor shower). It was my recently retired brother's first real backpacking trip, as well as his first trip of any kind to the Pacific Northwest, which made this trip even more special. Hope you enjoy the photos.

[olderthanIusedtobe]

Looks like a really nice trip. Glad you enjoyed it after traveling so far. Those tarns below Park Butte LO are magical. Amazing sunrise shots you captured there.

[williswall]

[Jackal]

Too bad you didn't get your GP trip in but what a consolation prize! Fantastic photos.

[Brushbuffalo]

[contour5]

Excellent photos, great light and clouds...

[GaliWalker]

Yummy photos!