Mount Baker

We did the Chain Lakes hike in pretty terrible weather: occasional rain, thick clouds, and a slippery trail. The clouds blocked the sunlight and muted the fall colors around Mount Baker, but the trail itself was amazing. As the name suggests, it links a series of glacial lakes tucked into the valleys. It was only 6 or 7 miles, but the view kept changing with every step. The road was closed to incoming traffic from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., so we had the trail mostly to ourselves. The moody weather made everything feel even quieter, and we really enjoyed being alone in the woods.