Tag Archives: nooksack river

The sound of rushing water and songs of an ouzel draw me closer to the river. For years, drawn to the high mountains, I passed by the Nooksack River on my way to the North Cascades. Now, having cultivated a deep appreciation for the beauty and serenity of this beautiful watercourse, I stop and linger on its banks to soak …

The partially occluded, but dramatic view of Mt. Shuksan catches me by surprise. The hike thus far had been shrouded by the dense second-growth forest, squelching any hope of finding any inspiring mountain views. I point out the view to my daughter Sophia, who has followed me to the river to get water. “Ooh, pretty,” she says, and quickly refocuses, …

The Nooksack River is born among the glaciers and snowfields of Mount Baker, Mount Shuksan and the Twin Sisters Range. Its three forks roll down from the ramparts through shadow-dappled forest and verdant farmlands, sweeping past villages and towns, eventually flowing into the Salish Sea. The river is home to all five species of native salmon as well as steelhead …

People cross-country ski all over the country. Even in New Jersey. But few are fortunate enough to have – at their ready disposal – scenery on anything close to the magnitude that we enjoy here in the northwest corner of these United States. These blessings should be counted. The destinations that radiate from the Mount Baker Highway are sufficient to …