Weekend Adventures: Mt. Baker & Whistler Blackcomb
Matt survived his first (short) week back at work, and in celebration we decided to rent a car and get out of the city. The weather cooperated (sort of) and we had mostly dry weather with some nice spots of blue sky and sunshine here and there. I'm quickly learning to soak it up while it's around - and just learned this morning that the months of November & December average 7-8 inches of rain... each. We just keep reminding ourselves that we're not made of sugar (i.e. we will not melt if we get wet) and all that rain will produce oodles upon oodles of snow high in the mountains.
In that line of thinking, we thought it might be a good idea to check out our two options for big mountain riding this winter: Mt. Baker & Whistler Blackcomb. So on Saturday we picked up our rental (a sweet 2014 VW Touareg) and proceeded to the US border. (Note to future self: Do not try to bring snacks such as apples across the border. They will only get confiscated. Fail. However, bananas are okay.)
Matt and I visited Mt. Baker on our 2 month road trip, so we essentially knew where to go - there is only one road into and out of the area. Still, we wanted to check it out again considering it'd been 8 years since we'd been there. As we headed up the road we passed enormous, moss covered trees and dozens of rushing waterfalls. The access road wound up and up until we found ourselves at the top in the clouds. On our last visit, we hiked the Heliotrope Trail which brought us to the foot of the glacier on the slopes of Mt. Baker. This time we strained to see the peak through the dense cloud cover. Across the way, Shuksan popped in and out of the clouds and we were delighted by numerous rainbows as we stood waiting for the clouds to lift. The clouds never did lift, so we trekked back to the car enjoying the bounty of wild blueberries along the way.
In that line of thinking, we thought it might be a good idea to check out our two options for big mountain riding this winter: Mt. Baker & Whistler Blackcomb. So on Saturday we picked up our rental (a sweet 2014 VW Touareg) and proceeded to the US border. (Note to future self: Do not try to bring snacks such as apples across the border. They will only get confiscated. Fail. However, bananas are okay.)
Matt and I visited Mt. Baker on our 2 month road trip, so we essentially knew where to go - there is only one road into and out of the area. Still, we wanted to check it out again considering it'd been 8 years since we'd been there. As we headed up the road we passed enormous, moss covered trees and dozens of rushing waterfalls. The access road wound up and up until we found ourselves at the top in the clouds. On our last visit, we hiked the Heliotrope Trail which brought us to the foot of the glacier on the slopes of Mt. Baker. This time we strained to see the peak through the dense cloud cover. Across the way, Shuksan popped in and out of the clouds and we were delighted by numerous rainbows as we stood waiting for the clouds to lift. The clouds never did lift, so we trekked back to the car enjoying the bounty of wild blueberries along the way.
We hit up Bellingham on our way back to Vancouver, stopping at the Boundary Bay Brewery for lunch and a local gear shop for some maps. Then it was onto the border where an hour-long line awaited us. (Note to future self: Apply for a Nexus pass to avoid insanely long lines. And always travel with your work permit.) Once we did make it to the head of the line we received a head shake and a stern warning that safely tucked inside our hotel safe was not the proper place for our work permits. (To whomever was supposed to let us know that we need to travel with our work permits when crossing the border: Thanks for nothing!)
On Sunday we headed north to Whistler Blackcomb. Matt went there with a bunch of friends in high school but didn't remember the drive from Vancouver because they took a bus during the night. With a name like the Sea-to-Sky it was sure to impress, but even we were amazed at how gorgeous the passing scenery was. It started out winding next to an arm of the Straight of Georgia, perched high above the water, then sliced through the mountains at Squamish and paralleled the Squamish River all the way to Whistler.
The resort itself was enormous, with a rambling ski village with countless shops and restaurants. This is their slow season so we mostly had the place to ourselves. Matt geared up at the lululemon store (jealous!) then we enjoyed freshly made smoothies/juice before heading back toward Vancouver.
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| Go-go juice. Beet, carrot & apple. You're welcome tummy! |
We ended the day with a drive through West and North Vancouver to check out the real estate, a stop at a local bike shop to buy more (you guessed it!) maps and a nosh at what seemed like (and was later confirmed as) a favorite local hangout. (Note: If there's a line out the door, that's the place to be).
Our first successful weekend adventure in BC!
