Round Trip Distance: 6 Miles
Hiking Time: 4 hours
High Point: 5400 ft.
Elevation Gain: 1500 ft.
Mt. Baker Mt. Shuksan
The Chain Lakes trail makes an almost level traverse around the south side of Table Mountain and Ptarmigan Ridge. It then drops 300 feet to the first of the four Chain Lakes, tiny Mazama Lake. A bit beyond is aptly named Iceberg Lake, which many years never melts out.
Alpine meadows loaded with blueberries (in season), a half dozen small lakes, and at every turn of the trail a changing view, dominated by the "magnificent pair," the white volcano of Mt. baker and the massive architecture of Mt. Shuksan.
Ice Berg Lake Autumn Colors
The area is a wildlife sanctuary, so deer are frequently seen. All this on an easy hike circling the base of a high plateau guarded on every side by impressive lava cliffs.
Herman Saddle at the high point of the trail is a narrow slot whose cliffs frame Baker to the west, Shuksan to the east.
Chain Lakes Iceberg Lake
Complete trail information and directions are available from the Forest Ranger Station in Glacier Village.
