A Guide to the Chain Lakes Loop: Mount Baker's Most Rewarding Beginner Backpacking Trip
Updated July 23, 2026
Mount Shuksan overlooking Bagley Lakes while climbing over Herman Saddle
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I’ve hiked the Chain Lakes Loop four or five times now, and it genuinely never gets old. It’s one of the most iconic loops in Washington, with Mount Baker on one side, and Mount Shuksan on the other, and a string of alpine lakes in between. It’s also, hands down, one of the best beginner backpacking trips in the state.
I also did my first ever solo overnight trip here, so this hike feels extra special. I’d bailed on two earlier solo trips before this one, mostly out of nerves about being alone in the backcountry. The Chain Lakes Loop hike fixed that. It’s popular enough that you’re rarely more than a few minutes away from another hiker, which makes it genuinely a good confidence-builder if solo backpacking is new to you.
Here’s what you need to know, plus what keeps bringing me back.
Getting to the Trailhead
Coordinates: 48.8469, -121.6925 (Austin Pass Picnic Area)
There are a few ways to start the Chain Lakes Loop, 1) Austin Pass, 2) Artist Point or 3) the Bagley Lakes Trailhead. I usually park at the Austin Pass Picnic Area and hike counterclockwise, more of that later.
The drive from Seattle runs about 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours depending on traffic, so budget a full if you’re driving up there and hiking the same day. The road to Artist Point closes seasonally with snowfall, so check conditions before you go.
Even when the last section of the road to Artist Point is closed, the trail is usually still reachable from lower down.
From the Austin Pass Picnic Area, take a right toward the picnic area, then right again at the bulletin board — there’s a small lot with a viewpoint and a privy. If Artist Point is open, that lot puts you closer to the trailhead but if the road is close, this is a reliable fallback.
Hiking the Chain Lakes Loop
Fall colors on the Chain Lakes Loop trail
The Chain Lakes Loop runs just under 7 miles with about 1,700 feet of gain — I’d categorize this hike as moderate, and very doable as a first backpacking trip. I always go counterclockwise, hike down towards the Bagley Lakes trailhead and over Herman Saddle, which front-loads most of the climbing. The alternative, which is climbing the Wild Goose Trail, is steeper and in my opinion, a worse way to start.
The climb over Herman Saddle is a series of switchbacks and manageable even with a loaded pack, and the payoff at the top is one of the better views in the Cascades: Mount Shuksan looking straight down over Lower and Upper Bagley Lakes. It’s worth a real break here.
Wipe your tears, refuel, and just sit back and relax. You deserve it all.
From the saddle, you descend toward Iceberg and Hayes Lake, where most of the designated camping is, and then Mazama Lake where there are also campsites here. On some maps, you will see that this chain of lakes is aptly named the Galena Chain Lakes Camping Area.
On the way out, the terrain flips. Instead of Shuksan, Mount Baker dominates the skyline as you climb back over Table Mountain. The trail gets a little rockier and narrower here, nothing technical though.
Mount Bake dominates the view as you descend to the first lake of the loop.
About 2.6 miles from the Artist Point parking lot, you come to an intersection — continue straight to return to your car or take a right to get on the Ptarmigan Ridge Trail. That trail used to be less traveled but with the Mount Baker Wilderness seeing more use, the hike to Ptarmigan Ridge has become more and more popular. That hike is a little more difficult in terms of elevation gain but the rewards are endless. Some people even use that as an approach to climb and summit Mount Baker.
Camping on the Chain Lakes Loop
I’ve camped at both Hayes and Mazama Lakes. They’re not far from each other and are almost at the midpoint. Depending on which direction you’re hiking, one might be more preferred than the other.
Hayes Lake
The very first time I did this hike, I got to the lake at around 2pm on a Saturday. Every designated site was already taken. I spent about 45 minutes scouting before settling on a spot that’s durable and vegetation-free near the pit toilet — not glamorous at all, but it worked. If you are set on one of the actual designated sites, get there earlier than 2pm; I’ve learned that the hard way.
I’m not sure how accurate this is but AllTrails now has a feature where users can add their own community waypoints which includes an option for overnight spots. This is a premium feature which I think is pretty neat. If you’re interested, you can snag AllTrails Peak for 30% off.
I think it’s worth it because you get access to all their overlays and can create custom routes too. It is community-powered as well so you are getting some real on-the-ground beta from the reports.
Camping a little further away from the lake the second time I backpacked the Chain Lakes Loop
Mazama Lake
Since I’ve done this hike a few times and have camped at Hayes Lake a couple times already, I decided to camp at Mazama Lake. I went during the week so it felt very different from camping at Hayes Lake on a Saturday. Both lakes offer easy water access. I do think the sites at Mazama Lake are a little more spread out.
However, when I camped here, I picked the spot closest to the main trail. I did this because it didn’t seem like anyone else was camping so I wanted to stay close to the main trail just in case, but nothing happened.
I was charging my camera battery the night before and totally forgot to put it back into the camera so I didn’t get to take any professional-looking shots on this trip. I just needed a quick overnight though.
Evening at the Lake
Hayes Lake isn’t the best angle for sunset — for that, I would hike back up towards the main trail about 0.2 miles in the direction of Mazama Lake. That’s where Iceberg Lake and Table Mountain both catch the light in shades of pink, orange, and red. I didn’t find it the first time I went. But found it the other times I returned to the Chain Lakes Loop.
I do think Mazama Lake has the better angle for sunset. Similar to Hayes Lake, I did have to hike towards the main trail a little bit. I did find a spot and sat there and hung out with Tex for a little while. I reminisced the first time I backpacked on this trail — my first solo backpacking trip, and sitting there, it me how much this place meant to me.
The Morning After
The trail out is where Mount Baker takes over — you barely see it on the way in except for when you start descending towards camp. From this point of view, it' hits different. Climbing back past Mazama and up the ridge, it’s directly in front of you the while way. The terrain gets a little here so watch your footing. If you parked at Artist Point, you’ve made it back to your car! But if you started at the Austin Pass Picnic Area or the Bagley Lakes Trailhead, then you take the Wild Goose Trail down from Artist Point on the way out (steeper, and honestly I was glad I’d avoided it going up), trekking poles earn their keep on that descent.
Below are some photos of when I day hiked the Chain Lakes Loop with my sister and Tex in September — the colors were beginning to change.
We were fogged in the night before but woke up to blue skies the day after.
What To Know Before You Go
Camping: 4 sites each at Hayes and Mazama Lakes. No campfires at either. Stay 200 feet from the water if camping at a non-designated site.
Permits: No overnight permits are required for the area, but a Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful pass is needed for parking at the trailhead. No fishing license required to try your luck at either lake, though standard Washington fishing regulations apply.
Water: Filter from the lakes. I didn’t see any reliable sources along the loop. But it’s only about 2-3 miles from either trailhead to the lakes.
Dogs: Leashed dogs are welcome on this trail — it’s in the Mount Baker Wilderness, not a national park. Usual dog-friendly rules from the Forest Service apply.
Season: Typically accessible late June through October, dependent on snowpack and road access to Artist Point and/or Austin Pass.
Crowds: This is one of the busiest loops in the North Cascades, comparable to Snow Lake in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Great for a first solo trip because you’re never far from other people; not the pick if you want solitude.
Mount Baker at sunset while hiking back towards Artist Point
Final Thoughts
Chain Lakes has earned its popularity, and unlike a lot of busy trails, I don't think the crowds actually take much away from it. It's forgiving enough for a first backpacking trip, scenic enough to justify going back again and again, and flexible enough to do as a day hike if an overnight doesn't fit your schedule. I keep returning to it for a reason.
For what it's worth: despite the bear caution that shaped how I handled food that first night, I've never actually run into wildlife on this trail or at camp — on any of my trips out here.
Gallery
Resources
Trail info & conditions
Chain Lakes Loop — Washington Trails Association — best source for current trail and road conditions
Mount Baker Wilderness — Recreation Area (USFS) — current trail conditions and fire restrictions
Wilderness Regulations (USFS) — official regulations for the wilderness area
Leave No Trace — especially the campfire and 200-foot lake-distance rules here
More hikes nearby
Lake Ann — a 9-mile hike, also in the Mount Baker Wilderness
Ptarmigan Ridge Trail — trail description, passes, and directions if you're extending the trip
Before you go / after you're back
North Fork Brewery — pizza and beer, solid post-hike stop
Gunners Tex Mex BBQ — newer addition to the Glacier food scene
Heather Meadows Cafe — closest food option to Artist Point if you don't want to drive all the way back down