This unit is located in the Northern Cascade Mountains approximately 9 miles from the Canadian border on the northernmost tip. Mount Baker is the dominant terrain feature in this area with a summit of over 10,000 feet. Avalanche Gorge is considered the premier unit out of the three subunits that surround Mount Baker, and often holds the majority of the goats that live in this area. There is only one established trailhead in this unit that gets you close to where the goats live, and reports suggest that it is not very well maintained.

You will likely have lots of company, especially during the early weeks of the hunt and on the weekends, as this is a very popular recreation and hiking area. Once you get into the higher elevations, you will get past a majority of the crowds.

At 755 feet in elevation, the Baker Lake Hwy makes the small southern boundary. There are very few access points into this area, this area is mostly made up of long ridgebacks leading up to Mount Baker. Below this summit, you will find large drainages and mountain valleys weaving their way through a number of peaks. This is very broken country with many bald peaks, shale slides, and snowfields as you begin to gain elevation. This unit can be quite physical, and although there is a trail getting you a good ways up the mountain, much of the traversing and hunting will take place off of maintained trails in places where navigating will be technical, and even dangerous at times. Trekking poles are strongly encouraged.

A large array of different vegetation can be found in the Mount Baker National Forest, particularly in the Mount Baker area. The most notable vegetation when you finally get into goat country is the famous bristlecone pine; this evergreen typically does not grow below elevations of 9,500 feet and can grow up to 11,000 feet. In lower elevations, you can expect to see many other species, including but not limited to, vine maple, sword fern, douglas fir, western red cedar, alder, western hemlock, mountain hemlock, and the yellow cedar. There are multiple species of grasses, ferns, and shrubbery that make up the forest floor, including blueberries. All vegetation begins to fade as you gain elevation.

Following the Martin Lake Road as it comes off of the Baker Lake Hwy, you will eventually make your way up the switchbacks all the way to what is called the Mount Baker Cliffs viewpoint. From here, you will need to exit the vehicle and begin your climb. The Rainbow Ridge Trail can be a bit technical at times but will get you the most elevation of any trailhead in the unit as you make your way up to the southeast side of Mount Baker.

Primitive camping in the forest is allowed most of the year, but access and areas of the forest will get closed as winter weather starts to set in; call ahead to double check any restrictions, or permits necessary prior to your trip. If you are looking for a more established campground, Boulder Creek Campground is on the Baker Lake Hwy about 600 yards south of the Martin Lake Road turn off. If you are looking for a bed and a shower while you hunt, you will find these amenities as well as fuel and some supplies back on Hwy 20, south of Baker and Shannon Lake, in the town of Grassmere. Overall this is a rather remote area and you should come prepared with everything you need prior to leaving.