Cascades Field Trip Info

This field trip is to expose you to some of the cool geological things there are to see right here in our own backyard, and to explain some topics that we will cover later in the quarter. Our destination is the North Cascades National Park visitors center near Newhalem, and then on to the Baker Lake area, along the west slopes of the Cascade mountain range. It should take all day, and will involve some very short hikes (less than about 1/4 mile).

What we'll see

Mt Baker, an active volcano.
Old lava flows and mudlfows from Mt. Baker.
Hot springs warmed by magma under Mt. Baker.
Baker Lake, whose dam provides all our electricity.
river processes, including sediment, point bars, cut banks.
Glacially carved mountains and valleys.
Trees, birds, plants (all that boring stuff that tends to obscure the cool rocks around here ).
Lots more!

What to bring

lunch (We’ll probably eat lunch at the Kulshan campground near Baker dam. There will not be soda machines, restaurants or markets there, although there will be some mini-marts along the main road.)
water
decent shoes (sneakers are fine; boots are probably overkill; please, no flip flops!)
warm clothes, including a warm hat, gloves, and jacket (you never know)
sunglasses, sunscreen, and shade hat, if the weather might be sunny (Check forecast here).
rain gear (We’re going rain or shine)
camera, binoculars, etc., if you want them
a positive attitude
Don't bring: textbook, notebook, pens, pencils, etc. This is not a work trip; it's a fun trip!

Transportation

For legal reasons, we can't meet at WWU and caravan (because then you would have to fill out legal forms, and possibly have to pay). So, below are directions to each location we'll visit, starting from Bellingham. I strongly suggest you start out with a full tank of gas, so you don't have to worry about that during the day.

Timing

You should leave Bellingham by 8:30 a.m. in order to arrive at the first stop at the right time (10:15 at North Cascades National Park Visitors' Center). It takes about 105 minutes to get there, unless you stop for lunch / snacks / gas along the way, in which case you should allow more time. We will finish up in the field around 3:00 p.m., so you can be home by 4:30 p.m. If you are running late and you miss us at the first stop, follow the directions to try and catch up with our schedule.

Carpooling

Please, with gas so expensive now - carpool and share the cost! I've made a forum on the discussion board for finding rides and riders.

Directions / Schedule

Location	Approximate Mileage	Planned Time
I-5 at Old Fairhaven Parkway	0	8:30 a.m.
Head south to:
Cook Road exit.	18.2
Take exit and turn left (east). Take Cook road until it:
Meets highway 20 in Sedro Wooley.	22.7
Turn left, and take highway 20 east (it curves around a bit in Sedro Wooley itself. Note that this area is the last big stores / gas stations / etc. for the day, although there are smaller shops further on.). Continue to:
A great view of the Skagit River valley. Note the wide, flat-bottomed valley with the sloping walls. This indicates a fairly mature stream; the flat bottom is made of sediments deposited by the river during floods.	36.7
North Cascades National Park Visitors' Center (access is on right side of Hwy 20, just before Newhalem). We'll meet up here, and talk about geology for a bit.	103.4	10:15 a.m.
Go back on highway 20 the way you came, until you get back to:
The turnoff towards Baker Lake (i.e., Baker Lake Road)	166.4	11:45 a.m.
Turn right, and head up Baker Lake Road to:
The intersection with Sulpher Creek Road (FR12)	178.8
Turn left, and go until you reach:
A small quarry in which we find the youngest lavas from anyplace on Mt. Baker, only about 9800 years old!	180.3	12:10 p.m.
Head back to Baker Lake Road, and continue on until you get to
The turnoff to Baker Dam Road	183.3
Turn right, and go to:
Kulshan Campground. We'll eat lunch here and check out the dam.	184.5	12:30 p.m.
After lunch and dam-viewing, head back to Baker Lake Road, turn right and continue on to:
Boulder Creek Bridge. We'll spend a good bit of time here; there are lahars, cool rocks to see, and great views of Mt. Baker.	190.2	2:00 p.m.
Continue on Baker Lake Road to:
FR 1144.	192.3
Turn left, and head about 3 miles on pretty decent dirt road, but with some big potholes (watch out!), until you get to:
A scenic overlook with room to park. Park here, and walk up the trail about 1/4 mile to Baker Hot Springs. We'll talk about what's going on, and if you want, you can stay and soak in the naturally warm water. (Note: If you think you might want to soak, please bring a bathing suit. Note 2: Last Saturday, there was a family there in bathing suits, but there might be naked bathers there when we arrive. Many hot springs are generally considered to be clothing-optional.)	195.4	2:30 p.m.
If you don't want to stay and soak, you can head home. Hope you had a good time!		3:00 p.m.

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