It’s right next door to North Cascades; the area I camped in was next to Mt. Baker directly on Baker Lake. I chose this area because of the access to lake – I was hoping to get out my kayak.
The drive wasn’t too bad, from Concrete, WA turn North on 11 (Baker Lake Road) and follow the signs for campgrounds. There are many of them along this side of the lake. Horseshoe Cove was my first stop, 17 miles down the road from town.
Horseshoe Cove
The campground is reservable online, so check-in in is easy, pretty much pull up to you site and park 😊
The next day I was able to get my Kayak inflated and find a creative way to get it to the beach. It was roughly 0.25 mile away from my campsite. The kayak is not heavy, roughly 58 lbs, but there is no comfortable way to carry it considering its length.
I had to put it on my bike and attach Aesop’s bike buggy and then load the kayak on top. I was able to walk the bike to the lake a few times. All without incident.
The lake has a beautiful turquoise color and is very clear. I’m guessing that’s due to glacial powder coming from the snow-covered mountains. The campground and the beach were packed with people over the weekend, but it was almost completely empty on Monday and Tuesday.
I had a great time there. Not only on the lake, but also walking around the area, and riding my bike. I took a somewhat strenuous ride about 5 miles up the road which was mostly up hill. Luckily coming back was almost all downhill and I was cruising at 26mpg! It felt great. Of course, I had on my helmet and flashing lights, plus bright colored clothing for added safety.
I have been putting up my CLAM at most campgrounds, even though so far mosquitoes have not been a big issue. I got my propane stove out and cooked outside a couple of nights. It was so beautiful outside that I preferred making my meals while enjoying the greenery around me.
After checkout I proceeded back to town, Concrete, WA, to get a few things from the grocery store and refill my gas tank. I had the most amazing pizza fron Annie’s Pizza Station, or maybe it was just hunger from lack of junk food and fatty foods for a month. Hahaha
I made a stop at Cascades Organic Farm to get some goodies for later. I purchased fresh blueberries, fresh cherry tomatoes and freshly made organic ice-cream. This place is one of those YOU-PICK farms, but it was raining so I just went inside and bought what I needed.
Swift Creek
After getting my groceries I headed back to Baker Lake Rd (11) and drove 22 miles north to Swift Creek Campground. My entire stay there it rained. Maybe not the entire time, but every day.
The one time the sun came out I decided to go for a ride up Baker Lake Road towards the end of the lake, and left my portable solar panels charging my portable inverter and someone stole it. I don’t know why I was naïve to think no one would take anything from my campsite. I learned my lesson the hard way ☹
Outside of that we had an amazing time hiking and exploring the area. Even in the rain. Here are the pictures to prove it.
Even with clouds and some rain the beach was breathtakingly beautiful.
The colors of the creeks were so vivid. In the first picture clouds hide the peak of Mt. Baker. The island in the middle of one of them was shaped like a heart. <3
The campground was surrounded by mature forest with mossy trees.
The campground was beautiful, some of the sites were right against the creek or in the beautiful forested area…
NEXT: 
Olympic National Park
Such a great post! Love the photos! They are so beautiful and so vivid!!