South Baker Lake to Maple Grove Camp

Dogs Leashed

Features Commonly Backpacked · Fishing · Lake · River/Creek · Swimming · Views

Maple Grove Camp is situated on the shores of Baker Lake beneath the mighty Mount Baker (Koma Kulshan). The Baker Lake Trail traverses along the eastern edge of the lake and is a great early season backpacking trip due to its low elevation. At only 705 feet above sea level, the trail is snow-free most of the year! Starting at the Baker Lake Trail at the south end of the lake, the trail runs 3.5 miles to Maple Grove Camp and only gains 500 feet in elevation. - Overview by Anne Coleman, Outdoor Project

This trail is great for running, and can be used at any time of year.

From the South Baker Lake Trail, follow the gently rolling trail through the forest and over streams. Cross Anderson Creek at 1.5 miles where a fallen tree acts as a footbridge, complete with handrails to guide you. At 1.8 miles, head down to Anderson Point for a snack break or to select your campsite for the night. This backcountry campground offers fire pits, toilets, tent pads, bear-proof food storage boxes, and spectacular views of Mount Baker across the lake.

The main trail continues another 2 miles past Anderson Point to Maple Grove. Another backcountry camping area, Maple Grove provides picnic tables and a dock for boaters. If you're on a day run, Maple Grove is a great place to enjoy lunch, take a dip in the lake; it is also a good spot to turn around for the 8.4-mile round-trip run. For those spending the night, six campsites are available with amenities similar to those at Anderson Point.

If you wish to extend your trip, you can run the entire 14 miles of the Baker Lake Trail. You could leave a car at the north trailhead, Baker River Trail, to make it a one-way trip. There are other campsites along the trail, so you can choose a short out-and-back adventure or a longer point-to-point excursion.

In the spring and early summer, you can expect to find trilliums and other wild flowers. If you catch a whiff of skunk, don't worry -- a plant called the Western Skunk Cabbage also grows along this trail. It is easily recognizable by its smell and yellow bulbous flowers.

Baker Lake is actually a reservoir, created by a 312-foot dam on the Baker River that was constructed in 1959.