That pic was taken from about halfway up the Roman Wall on Mt Baker.. The hike in to base camp is only about 4.5 miles... but then it's glacier travel shortly there after.. roped up and equipt accordingly.. Most do it as a two day, but many do do it as a long one day adventure.. they would start sometime around midnight or 1 AM, so they could get onto the glacier (whichever route they are choosing) early so it is firmer and therefore safer (and easier).. Snowshoes are generally not needed (unless undertaking in winter.. then they are used for the approach), but crampons are a must.. esp on the firm early morning snow...

From a different perspective... note the Black Butes (old volcano cone) on the left, above which the other pic was taken.. Also in the other pic is the Backside of the Twin Sisters (center) and the San Juan Islands distant..

base camp would be near snowline beneath the Black Butes.. then basically up the ridge (Easton Glacier route) to the top then cross over to the back and the little bump (Grant's Pk true summit).. It's about 4 miles to the top from base camp and about 5000' elev gain.. Anyone in any modicum of good fittness can summit Baker (of course the fitter one is the more enjoyable it is). My suggestion to those who would like to do it would be to contact a guide service (AAI http://www.aai.cc/ProgramDetail/baker/ MM http://www.mountainmadness.com/search?id=Baker ) These services guide clients from all around the world, and they do a great job...

From the summit looking NE... http://photos.imageevent.com/banos/bakersummit09/giant/P7050141_Panoramashrpt.jpg