Mount Baker · moderate
Chain Lakes Loop
6.5 miles round trip
1,820 feet of gain
Aug–Oct best season
moderate difficulty
Lakes strung like beads between Baker and Shuksan. Start at Artist Point when the road opens — the whole loop is a photograph pretending to be a trail.
Official details reviewed 2026-07-21 · Always recheck alerts before travel
Why choose this trail
A volcanic-view lake loop. From Artist Point or Heather Meadows, the loop crosses ridges and several lake basins beneath Baker and Shuksan. Direction and exact mileage vary with the chosen lot.
Landscape & habitat
Deep winter snow feeds small subalpine lakes and lush meadows. The exposed ridges sit between maritime weather from the Salish Sea and high volcanic terrain.
Access, passes & rules
Artist Point road access is highly seasonal and a federal recreation pass may be required. Confirm the road opening and parking rules.
Conditions & hazards
Snow can remain into midsummer and fog can erase visual landmarks. Stay on trail around fragile lake basins.