Dog News

Pet Friendly Hiking At Mount Baker

by Amy Burkert

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Want to hike a glacier with your dog? This week’s guest post from Amy Burkert shows you the pet friendly side of Mount baker.

If you’ve visited the Olympic Peninsula or Victoria, you’ve no doubt spent time admiring Mount Baker.

Mount Baker, WA

On a warm day in Bellingham we decided to take the 30 mile drive into the cool, snowiness we’d been admiring from afar.

Mount Baker, WA

Imagine our surprise when we got to the trail head and the thermometer read 85 degrees! Who would have expected that shorts and snow shoes would be appropriate attire for a late fall hike? Unfortunately for us, we didn’t have the snow shoes – we really could have used them.

Mount Baker, WA

Mount Baker, WA

The road was only cleared to the parking lot – from there the snow covering the road was still more than 10 feet deep in some places. Buster was in heaven – he loves the snow and we hadn’t seen any in months.

Mount Baker, WA
Mount Baker, WA

The reason for all the snow is that Mount Baker is covered by ten main glaciers. Combine that with record snowfall – 95 FEET in 1999 – and you’ve got precipitation with staying power.

I wonder how many years it’s been since anyone has used this mountaintop restroom.

Mount Baker, WA

Notice how the boys are panting – they were actually hot. It was the strangest juxtaposition I’ve ever experienced. It felt like summer, flowers bloomed like it was spring, and there was more snow than I’ve ever seen in the middle of winter.

Mount Baker, WA

Mount Baker, WA

There are miles of trails in the Mount Baker recreational area, and it lies within a national forest so your dog is welcome to join you. Pets must be leashed in developed areas (trail heads, campgrounds and picnic areas) and cannot be taken on Table Mountain Trail for safety reasons. Buster and Ty didn’t seem to mind at all.

Mount Baker, WA

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Planning a pet friendly trip of your own? Using the links below to make your arrangements:

Pet Friendly Hotels | Pet Friendly Campgrounds | Pet Friendly Restaurants | Pet Friendly Activities