Central Cascades - Blewett Pass

Ingalls Lake (9.2 Miles)

Central Cascades - Stevens Pass - East

Lake Janus (6.3 Miles)
Lake Valhalla (6 Miles)

Central Cascades - Stevens Pass - West

Boulder Lake (8.2 Miles)
Tonga Ridge (6.0 Miles)

Issaquah Alps - Cougar Mountain

Issaquah Alps - Tiger Mountain

Mt. Rainier - Carbon River / Mowich

Paul Peak (9.4 miles)
Spray Park (8 Miles)

Mt. Rainier - Longmire / Paradise

Snow Lake (2.2 mi)

Mt. Rainier - Sunrise / White River

Grand Park (13.6 Miles)

North Cascades - Baker Lake

Railroad Grade (6.0 Miles)
Scott Paul Loop (7.5 Miles)

North Cascades - Mountain Loop Highway

Heather Lake (4 Miles)
Lake Twenty-Two (4.8 Miles)
Mt. Dickerman (8.7 Miles)
Mt. Pilchuck (6 Miles)

North Cascades - Mt. Baker Hwy

High Pass (6.8 Miles)
Ptarmigan Ridge (7.6 Miles)
Skyline Divide (8.4 Miles)

North Cascades - North Cascades Hwy

Blue Lake (4.4 miles)
Cutthroat Pass (10 Miles)
Easy Pass (7.2 Miles)
Heather/Maple Pass (6.5 Miles)
Hidden Lake (9 Miles)

Olympics

Deer Park Trail (15.2 Miles)
Grand Valley (8.4 Miles)
Whiskey Bend Loop (6.7 Miles)

Olympics - Coast

Cape Alava Loop (9.2 Miles)
Cape Flattery (1 Mile)

Olympics - South

Puget Sound and Islands

Snoqualmie Pass - North Bend Area

Mt. Si (8 Miles)
US Forest Service
US National Park Service
Railroad Grade
Area:
North Cascades - Baker Lake
Permit Required:
Trailhead Elevation:
Difficulty:
A Walk
Elevation Gain:
2100' to Railroad Grade
Trail Type:
Hike
Distance Round Trip :
6.0 Miles
Trailhead Latitude:
48.722226
Peak Season:
July through September
Longitude:
-121.804390

Camping Allowed Photographic Opportunities Water Available

Conditions
Trail
Water
Other
Primitive and difficult trail conditions
Water crossings of logs and natural materials
Unimproved water crossings
Snow/ice fields on trail
Hazardous terrain on trail


Experience

Awsome!!

 

View from appoximately 3/4 of the way up Railroad Grade moraine looking towards Easton Glacier with Rocky Creek gorge to the right.

If you are looking for a trail with astonishing raw beauty, this is a trail for you.  The beauty of Mt. Baker towering above lush meadows will pull you onward and upward.  When you reach the moraine and look down at the chaos of Easton Glacier's gorge and Rocky creek, you will think you have arrived on a much younger planet.

You are likely to encounter other hikers as you travel along the moraine since this is a popular trail.  The crowd is just a small price to pay for such an awsome trip. 

You will pass by many snow fields on your way to Easton Glacier.  Just don't be lured by the yawning chasms, even if you see others venturing onto the ice.  Unless you know what you are doing, of course.

After Railroad Grade peters out, you can continue winding your way up through the rock and rubble.  Fit competent hikers can navigate beside Easton Glacier all the way to High Camp near 6200 feet.  Beyond that, ice axes and crampons are required equipment.  Mt. Baker summit seems within easy reach from High Camp but will take climbers another 5 hours to reach it.

Territorial views are breath taking in all directions from High Camp.  You will see the Cascades to the south and east, the San Juan Islands to the west and of course, Easton Glacier and Mt. Baker to the north.

Camp sites are available but come early.  The popular sites will fill up fast on busy weekends.  You'll have to grind it out with a full pack but it is well worth the effort. 

 

This picture was taken approximately 1/2 way up the moraine looking towards the southeast.

 


Nearest Town: Concrete, WA.


Weather Forecasts | Weather Maps | Weather Radar

Driving Directions:

Drive 15.5 miles east from Sedro-Woolley on Highway WA-20, or 6.0 miles west from Concrete, Wa. Turn north onto the Grandy-Baker Lake Road. Drive 12.2 miles until you are just past Rocky Creek bridge, go left on South Fork Nooksack Road # 12. Drive 3.5 miles and turn right at the sign Mt. Baker National Recreation Area onto Sulphur Creek Road 13. Follow the signs 5.1 miles to Shriebers Meadow where you will see the Railroad Grade trail parking area.

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Trail inf0 contributed by: Mr. Trail
Added on: 2006-12-17 22:18:59


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