Mount Blum & Mount Hagan

GETTING THERE

From SR-20, turn north onto Baker Lake Road (Forest Road 11). Follow Baker Lake Road 26 miles to its end and the Baker River Trailhead (774 ft).

APPROACH ROUTE

Begin from the Baker River Trail at north end of lake. Hike about 10 minutes north, then cross Baker River on the bridge. Leave the trail about 175 yards downstream of the bridge (before Blum Creek) to find a path through old timber bearing away from the creek. Follow it or the forest slope eastward to the spur ridge north of Blum Creek. Make an ascending traverse along the south side of the ridge to just north of Blum Lakes (4,900 ft) and traverse easily to the two main lakes and good camping.

ASCENT ROUTE

Mount Blum/West Route—South Ridge

From upper Blum Lakes camp ascend a gully in rocky terrain connecting the lower lake to the 5,720 ft snow cirque lake to the southeast. From left of this lake’s headwall, turn northward and scramble a Class 3 gully. The gully traverses into heather slopes, which bear to a snow couloir heading toward the summit; the final south ridge is not technical.

Mount Hagan/Southwest Peak

From lower Blum Lake ascend southeast to 5,600 ft on east-west trending ridge. Traverse south roping up for the glacier to a pass between south and middle Hagan Peaks 6,831 ft. Ascend the south peak via its north side to a notch on its upper east side. Traverse on the south face, on the summit ridge; work up a spur on the east then bear around to the south where slabs lead to the summit (Class 3).

DESCENT ROUTE

Descend the climbing routes to Blum Lakes, then return to Baker River trailhead by way of approach route.

EQUIPMENT

Standard glacier gear and small rock climbing rack.

NOTES

• Because of the approach route this is a demanding climb. Participants must be in very good physical condition and willing to suffer some. This climb can be done in two long days by a fast group, however, a three day climb would be more enjoyable.
• This route starts in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and then passes through the Noisy-Diobsud Wilderness and into North Cascades National Park.

• Suitable Activities: Climbing
• Climbing Category: Intermediate Alpine
• Seasons: June, July, August, September
• Weather: View weather forecast

• Difficulty: Intermediate Mountaineering Climb
• Length: 13.0 mi
• Elevation Gain: 6,900 ft
• High Point: 7,680 ft

• Land Manager: North Cascades National Park
  Noisy-Diobsud Wilderness, Mount Baker Ranger District (MBSNF)
• Parking Permit Required: Northwest Forest Pass
• Recommended Party Size: 6
• Maximum Party Size: 6
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 6