That's My World: Exploring Mt. Baker

From anywhere north of Seattle to southwestern British Columbia, the most prominent peak on the skyline is Mt. Baker. Around Bellingham, you will find many places and things named in it's honour: Bakerview Road, Mt. Baker Highway and the Mt. Baker Theatre to name a few. While we can see Mt. Baker right from our condo, the views from the air in our airplane 997 are the best.

Mt. Baker is one of the 27 major volcanoes in the Cascade Range. The largest eruption was 6,600 years ago. In 1843 there was a smaller eruption, and in 1975 plumes of steam rose from the same crater. It is still an active, but dormant, volcano and continuing studies are conducted through our local Western Washington University.

Mt. Baker is a well known ski and winter sports destination in the Pacific Northwest. A short drive into the hills from Bellingham will take you to a winter wonderland. The Mt. Baker Ski area offer excellent skiing at very reasonable prices. All day adult lift tickets for the 2008-09 season are $35,75 mid-week and weekends and holidays are $43.17. If needed, they have rental equipment as well.

Want to make it a mini-vacation? Information about lodging in the area can be found at the Mt. Baker Ski Area website and the Mt. Baker Lodging website. You can also stay in Bellingham and drive up to the ski area. It is about 30 miles east, but due to road conditions in winter I would say it takes hour or so to get there.

I have a suggestion for a place to eat on the way to or from the ski area. It's called the Frosty Inn in a small commuinity called Maple Falls. They have great breakfasts. We haven't been there in the evenings, but they also have live entertainment on weekends, especially during ski season.

So whether you come for skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, biking or just relaxing - head on up the Mt. Baker Highway and experience all that Mt. Baker has to offer. - Margy