Chain Lakes Trail(edit)

There are camp sites by Hayes lake and Mazama Lake A series of sub-alpine lakes, flowering meadows and constantly changing views of Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan distinguish the Chain Lakes Trail as one of the premier attractions in Heather Meadows, located along the upper reaches of the Mt. Baker Scenic Byway, State Route 542. 👍Start from the Artist Point parking lot. You can take the trail one-way to Bagley Lakes Trail #684.1 or you can hike a loop using the Wild Goose Trail #684.3 to return uphill to Artist Point. Another popular route is to reach Chain Lakes and return to Artist Point the same way, making a four- to five-mile hike with 700 feet of elevation gain and loss. 👍The trail heads west from the Artist Point parking lot, skirting the lava walls of Table Mountain. At about one mile, the trail reaches a junction. A left turn leads to the Ptarmigan Ridge Trail #682.1. Follow the trail to the right, which drops to Mazama Lake, the first of the Chain Lakes. 🏕Four campsites and a backcountry toilet are located here. In another quarter of a mile, look for frosty chunks of ice in the aptly named Iceberg Lake. 🏕The Galena Camp junction and another backcountry toilet are located between Iceberg and Hayes Lakes. 🏕Four more camps and one backcountry toilet are situated around Hayes Lake. No trail circles the lakes. After climbing to Herman Saddle, the trail drops to Bagley Lakes and a signed junction. Continue straight ahead to the Bagley Lakes Trailhead (Mt. Baker Ski Area parking lot) or return to Artist Point past the Heather Meadows Visitor Center via the Wild Goose Trail. The Wild Goose Trail takes off to the right, gaining 1,200 feet in the final mile to Artist Point.