NWBirding Bay View State Park

Baker Lake and Parker Lookout-Paul Scott Trails, Mt Baker National Forest, WA
September 2025

Synopsis
Soaking in the last dreges of summer, we took a camping/hiking trip to Baker Lake in Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. We lucked out and had a great sunny and clear day for our hike around the foothills of Mt Baker. We hiked up the very popular Parker Lookout trail. Despite the many people coming back from hiking the glacier or going up to the lookout on the trail, we did enjoy the beautiful scenery with glimpses of Mt Baker towering above. Crossing Rocky Creek took a little rock hoping and the bridge over the more rushing part of the creek was definitely helpful. We spotted pika collecting foder for the winter. Evening Grosbeaks, Kinglets and Chickadees called high from the spruce tops.

Closer to the pass, the meadows of spent heather blanketed the ground. And the view of Mt Baker opened up. The blueberries stood in contrast with the redening leaves and ash berries added to the early fall color. The view from Paker Lookout was impressive and it's easy to understand why this trail is so popular.

The best bird sightings were near the pass. A group of Band-tailed Pigeons flew in the distance and a flock of American Pipits flew over the meadows. Several Northern Harriers were gliding over the pass, likely starting their migration south. A surprise were the two Lewis's Woodpeckers that were actively flycatching from the snags.

On the way back down, we took the longer route on the Paul Scott trail, which skirted the ridges and provided more views of Mt Baker (although not as good as the Lookout trail). A bouncy suspension bridge crossed Rocky Creek where it was flowing more quickly, narrower, and deeper than down below. The trail continued through more open meadows allowing views of Mt Rainier in the far distance and the Cascades. Hoary Marmots hung out in the rocky fields. And patches of blooming yarrow were a buzz with bees, fritillary, blue, and checkerspot butterflies. Before decending back to the trailhead, we took in one more glimpse of Mt Baker and Mt Shukan. The trail decended through a tall hemlock forest. Except for a few Varied Thrush and an occassional peep from a chickadee or kinglet, the forest was fairly quiet.

We enjoyed our stay at Bayview Campground on Baker Lake. This campground is adjacent to the more popular Horseshoe Cove Campground. Horseshoe Cove Campground was popular with fishermen and families as it features a designated swimming area and boat ramp. Although the sites spaced well away from each other, they were also very open, with little undergrowth for privacy. Bayview Campground had much better privacy options and was good for friend groups and couples while still allowing access to the aqua-blue waters of Baker Lake.

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Pictures (click on thumbnails to enlarge)

Bird List

Canada Goose	B
Band-tailed Pigeon	P
Vaux's Swift	P
Green Heron	B
Sharp-shinned Hawk	P
Northern Harrier	P
Belted Kingfisher	B
Red-breasted Sapsucker	P
Lewis's Woodpecker	P
Northern Flicker	P
Downy Woodpecker	B
Hairy Woodpecker	B
Canada Jay	P
American Crow	B
Common Raven	P
Chestnut-backed Chickadee	P, B
Ruby-crowned Kinglet	P
Golden-crowned Kinglet	P, B
Red-breasted Nuthatch	P
Brown Creeper	B
Pacific Wren	P, B
Varied Thrush	P
Hermit Thrush	P
American Robin	P, B
American Pipit	P
Evening Grosbeak	P, B
Red Crossbill	P
Pine Siskin	P
Fox Sparrow	P
Dark-eyed Junco	P, B
Golden-crowned Sparrow	P
Common Yellowthroat	B
Yellow-rumped Warbler	P
Western Tanager	B

Critters:
Pika	P
Hoary Marmot	P
Townsend's chipmunk	B, P
Douglas Squirrel	B, P

B: Baker Lake
P: Parker Lookout-Paul Scott Trails

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