Mount Baker National Recreation Area
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| Mount Baker National Recreation Area | |
|---|---|
 Reflecting tarn along Park Butte Trail | |
  | |
| Location | Whatcom County, Washington, United States |
| Nearest city | Concrete, Washington |
| Coordinates | 48°43′N 121°50′W / 48.71°N 121.83°W |
| Area | 8,473 acres (34.29 km2) |
| Established | July 3, 1984 |
| Governing body | United States Forest Service |
| Website | Mount Baker National Recreation Area |
Mount Baker National Recreation Area is a United States National Recreation Area in Northern Washington about 15 miles (24 km) south of the Canada–US border within the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
The recreation area was established in 1984 by an act of the U.S. Congress primarily to protect and conserve the wildlife and recreation in the area,[1] while accommodating the use of snowmobiles during the winter months on the southern slopes of Mount Baker. There are also many hiking trails and campgrounds in the recreation area. Mount Baker NRA is adjacent to the Mount Baker Wilderness area, where snowmobiling is not permitted.[2]
History
[edit]National Recreation Areas (NRAs) developed in the United States in the 1960s as a way to ensure that public land was used for recreational and enjoyment purposes.[3] These purposes include hiking, climbing, camping, fishing, swimming, or nature viewing. In addition to recreation, Congress maintains the goal that the wildlife, scenery, and history of an NRA is preserved when deciding to establish one. An act of Congress is required to establish an NRA, which states that it must be greater than 20,000 acres. The first NRA to be established in the United States was Lake Mead National Recreation Area, located in Boulder City Nevada. Lake Mead NRA was established in 1964 and was controlled by the National Park Service. Lake Mead NRA was created from the largest reservoir in the United States at the time of the Hoover Dam and set the example for future establishment of National Recreation Areas.[4]
Amenities
[edit]Climbing is common in the recreation area. To reach the summit of the mountain, the Coleman glacier and Easton glacier are a couple of routes that experienced climbers might utilize.[5] Climbing is not the only activity that can be utilized in the Mount Baker NRA. For less technically skilled individuals, hiking is enjoyed with many trail options, from a beginner to advanced level. Climbing and hiking are ways that recreation in the area is preserved.
Major hikes in the recreation area:[6]
- Park Butte Trail #603
- Scott Paul Trail #603.1
- Railroad Grade Trail #603.2
- Bell Pass Trail #603.3
- Elbow Lake Trail #697
- Ridley Creek Trail #696
The Mount Baker NRA is also home to the Mt. Baker Ski Area[7], with a lodge that allows for recreational activities, such as skiing and snowboarding. The lodge is open November through April, subject to change on given days due to weather or holidays.[8] The lodge offers many accommodations to individuals seeking to use its amenities, including day passes for casual use with the addition of gear rental and lessons for beginners, or season passes for more committed users.
Camping is another popular recreation activity in the area. Campgrounds can range from modern sites that allow for recreational vehicles (RVs) or trailers with bathroom amenities and running water, or primitive camping without those amenities, depending on the user's preference. Campgrounds in the recreation area include:[9]
- Bayview Campground
- Swift Creek Campground
- Shannon Creek Campground
Campsite at Douglas Fir Campground - Boulder Creek Campground
- Douglas Fir Campground
- Excelsior Group Camp
- Silver Fir Campground
- Park Creek Campground
- Panorama Point Campground
Indigenous Populations
[edit]
Mount Baker National Recreation Area is in the heart of many Indigenous peoples' land in the Pacific Northwest, with 29 federally recognized Indigenous Tribes in the state of Washington. [10] The recreation area sits on the Nooksack Indian Tribe's land. Mount Baker sits about 36 miles (58 km) east of Lummi Nation land and 9.5 miles (15.3 km) north of Skagit Tribe land.
References
[edit]- ^ American River National Recreation Area Feasibility Study. September 1990. p. 13.
- ^ "Mt. Baker National Recreation Area". www.fs.usda.gov. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ Beanblossom, Robert (2019). "National Recreation Area". Journal of Forestry. 117 (3): 312 – via Oxford Academic.
- ^ "Lake Mead". www.nps.gov.
- ^ "Mt. Baker Summit - Climbing". www.fs.usda.gov. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
- ^ "Mt. Baker National Recreation Area". www.fs.usda.
- ^ "Mt Baker". www.mtbaker.us.
- ^ "Operating Schedule". www.mtbaker.us.
- ^ "Recreation.gov". www.recreation.gov.
- ^ "Federally Recognized Indian Tribes in Washington State". goia.wa.gov.
External links
[edit]- Mount Baker National Recreation Area official site
- Home - Mt. Baker Ski Area (mtbaker.us)[1]
See also
[edit]
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