Mt. Baker Backcountry
Cascades, WA
Elevation Profile
Current Conditions
Bottom Line
No snow on the ground at Mt. Baker right now — SNOTEL at Annie Springs (6,021 ft) is reading 0 inches. Temps are sitting in the mid-to-upper 40s with rain in the forecast all three days. This is a rain event at elevation, not a snow event. Ski touring is not viable this trip.
49°/40°F · Chance Light Rain
No Rating (0/5)
0" depth
Elevated flows · 5 gauges
No active fires within 50 miles
9h 22m daylight · Sunrise 8:10 AM · Sunset 5:33 PM
Full Briefing
The snowpack simply isn't there yet. Annie Springs SNOTEL at 6,021 feet is showing 0 inches of snow depth and 0.1 inches SWE — essentially bare ground at upper mid-elevation. No data from higher stations, but with forecast highs of 46–49°F and overnight lows holding around 40–43°F through Friday, any accumulation that does occur is going to be marginal and wet. The freezing level isn't dropping to ski-touring elevations during this window.
The weather pattern through Friday is a persistent onshore flow from the SSW/S at 15–22 mph with rain likely each day — 36% chance Wednesday, 32% Thursday, jumping to 72% on Friday. This isn't a storm cycle that's going to drop snow at Baker elevations anytime soon. The Northwest Avalanche Center has no rating posted for the zone, which reflects the pre-season status of the snowpack, not a clean bill of health — there's just nothing to assess yet.
Stream flows are elevated regionally, which is consistent with the warm, wet conditions. That's largely irrelevant to Baker touring but confirms the warm, wet pattern.
With 9 hours 22 minutes of daylight and a 5:33 PM sunset, the days are short, but that's also a non-issue when there's no touring to be done. Check back in December. Early season at Baker can build fast when the pattern flips cold — watch for SNOTEL at Annie Springs to hit 20+ inches before committing to a trip up there.
Waypoints
Upper Ski Area Lot
Start from the upper parking lot at Mt. Baker Ski Area.
4,199 ft
Herman Saddle
Saddle with views of Mt. Shuksan's north face. Common lunch spot.
5,200 ft
Shuksan Arm High Point
Highest accessible point on the Shuksan Arm ridge.
6,004 ft
Table Mountain Base
Base of Table Mountain. Multiple descent options back to the ski area.
4,593 ft
Route Details
Distance
5.0 mi
Elevation Gain
2,999 ft
Elevation Loss
2,999 ft
Max Elevation
6,004 ft
Estimated Days
0.5
Trailhead
Mt. Baker Ski Area Lot
Best Season
Massive snowfall November through May. Best touring March-May for stability.
About This Route
Mt. Baker in Washington's North Cascades holds the world record for single-season snowfall (1,140 inches in 1998-99) and offers some of the deepest, most consistent powder in North America. The backcountry zones around Mt. Baker Ski Area provide exceptional touring. The route explores the area around Shuksan Arm, Herman Saddle, and the Table Mountain area. Terrain ranges from moderate open bowls to steep couloirs on the flanks of Mt. Shuksan. The maritime snowpack creates a unique skiing experience with deep consolidated bases. The Northwest Avalanche Center provides forecasts for this zone. Weather can be severe—whiteouts and high winds are common. Carry navigation tools and be prepared for rapid weather changes. When the skies clear, the views of Baker and Shuksan are unmatched.
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