Continue for 12.9 miles until the trailhead. This is a great turnaround point for those seeking a short hike. Theres also a fork along the trail 3.5 miles in- if you follow the left trail, youll be led to a handful of campsites by Dead Horse Creek. Every bug (which there are millions of on this trail) and every switchback is worth it. Campstove: I could write a whole article about what to pack for a backpacking trip (in fact, I did write a whole post about that! On a clear day you can see west across to the Olympic Peninsula and north well into Canada. Light pollution is very low, was able to take clear shots of the milky way. And lets keep it that way for others to enjoy for years to come by following the Leave No Trace principles, especially: Plan ahead and be prepared: Bring plenty of water, have a map of the trail downloaded on your fully-charged phone before you head here (reminder: theres limited to no cell reception here), and be aware of any wildfires in the area. Skyline Divide is a rolling ridgeline hike that offers breathtaking panoramic views from Shuksan to Baker. Looking eastward, the distinctive crags of Mount Shuksan will come into view, foregrounded by lush, green forest and flanked by the characteristic white-flecked crags of this remarkable region. The creek plunges over a two-tiered drop in stages of 62 and 103 feet into a massive amphitheater, which flows into Bar Creek. The trail is open to hikers and llamas year-round and stock from August to the end of October. An information-gathering stop at the Glacier Public Service Center is also a nice addition. The Skyline Divide is a 6000-foot-high northward extension of Koma Kulshan that transforms itself into a summertime paradise of unrivaled mountain views and unending wildflower fields.The hike starts at a well-marked trailhead kiosk. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure. Even if the lot is full, Ive seen people find some creative parking spots along the road (especially behind the trailhead), which seems to be fine, so long as your car is not blocking the road or damaging plantlife. While Justin, and I had brought our gear to go backpacking, we turned around when we reached the initial ridgeline because we didnt think we could physically set up our tent with the level of flies that we were encountering (in addition to an unusual amount of grasshoppers flying around - it was a WEIRD day). Continue reading, 534 Twin Lakes Trail is a 14.7mi hike in the Mount Baker Wilderness that leads you to two picturesque, The Racehorse Trail Loop is an easy hike to a pretty waterfall that cascades over several tiers. In front of you is Chowder Ridge, a trail best reserved for those with either hooves or the proper equipment for scrambling, snow, and ice. Baker. This is an unforgettable day out in Washington State. Skyline Divide: The Most Beautiful Day Hike (or Backpacking Trip!) You should also know good hiking and camping etiquette to make sure you dont attract bears to your (or others) campsites- heres a helpful article if you need a refresher. Its a good place to have lunch and turn around. Regardless of your choice, the views are panoramic, and the flowers are ubiquitous. Sign up to receive our newsletter packed with the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and articles. But when we returned the following August, Ive never been subjected to a more buggy experience in my life. Let me know in the comments below! Hang a right at 2.5mi to avoid an unnecessarily steep climb. Wildfire smoke: Another reason we turned back on the trail in August? Baker, and the Puget Sound are second too none. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. All of the sites are first-come, first-serve- so if youre committed to snagging an awesome campsite, Id suggest visiting on a weekday or getting here early if your trip is on a weekend. The farther you go, the more likely you are to meet chipmunks and grouse. If youre planning on staying here multiple days, youll need to bring a water filtration system, like this one, and head down to Dead Horse Creek to get water. Although we thankfully have never had to use it, we have this one. Panoramic mountain vistas. Youll also find some good places for camping near Deadhorse Creek, just before Chowder Ridge, located in the valley between the Skyline and Cougar Divides. My husband, Justin, and I have hiked this trail twice- once in September and the second time in August. Immediately after the intersection with FR-39, follow the signs to the Skyline Divide Trail and turn left on FR-37. The terrain will become rockier and more wind-exposed as you keep approaching Mount Baker, with the wildflower population changing along with it. The trail will lead you on top of the one of the closest ridges of Mt. The hike continues 2.5 more miles on the gently rolling ridgeline over a series of five more knolls. Look out for colorful mountain heather, purple littleflower penstemon, sitka valerian with its tight, intricate buds, yellow glacier lilies, sulfur buckwheat, dwarf lupine and spearleaf stonecrop. It is unclear exactly where Skyline Divide ends and Hadley Peak trail starts, but if you do Skyline Divide you can choose how far you want to go.
The waterfall is framed by massive columns of volcanic rock that dwarf the falls, in comparison. Fantastic views. Make sure to get here early for a day hike or overnighter. When most species of wildflowers are trampled, they cant produce seeds, which is generally how they reproduce. Interested in backpacking here? They are usually scared of humans and its fairly unlikely theyll harm you, although mother black bears have been known to be aggressively protective around their young. A hemlock forest provides plenty of shelter from the elements as the trail switchbacks up to the ridge. The site is equipped with toilets, drinking water, campfire rings, and tent pads. A wanderlusty couple, who recently moved to the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Kulshan is just 3.5 miles from you. Weather changes quickly above 6000ft - even during summer. Shuksan, Mt. Our first hiking experience in September was absolutely glorious- fields of technicolor wildflowers, absolutely no insects, mountain peaks as far as the eye can see, and even a gorgeous cloud inversion at sunset. If you make a purchase through them, we may receive a small commission, for which we are extremely grateful, at no extra cost to you. After these 2 miles the grind of the hike is ultimately behind you. Lovely views! I wanted to attempt this if we were feeling up to it, since we had so much time as well. It was only 9:00 at this point, but already time for a mid-morning nap! Not worth it for no views and our campsite was now very far away and it was late afternoon. Rising above the treeline, youll step into a world of color that is perfectly offset by the green meadows, show-capped peaks and glistening glaciers that surround you. Fields of wildflowers. For the next 2 miles you'll be climbing just over 1500 feet in elevation. Bring plenty of water. And same for you- if youre camping along the Skyline Divide, know how to appropriately handle your waste (heres a helpful article if you need a refresher) and bring along baggies to pack out your used toilet paper. Bug spray: I went on my tirade above about the bug situation, so I wont subject you to it again, but bring bug spray. Key word in that last sentence is usually.. Great place to go if you only want to hike a couple miles with a pack, set up camp and then explore. Again, there will be a fork here- the fork to the left will take you to campsites near Dead Horse Creek between the Skyline and Cougar Divides, which are approximately a mile away, or, to the right, will continue along the main trail over the final two hills. Our packs were incredibly heavy and painful with the added weight. The views were amazing at the top. Bear spray: There are no grizzly bears in the Northern Cascades, but there are black bears that frequent this area. Its about more than standing on the mountain top. The waterfall is the most impressive in spring to early summer, due to the large amount of snowmelt coming fr Sholes Creek Falls is not easy to reach, but it is entirely worth the journey. The upper tier of the waterfall is only visible from the canyon rim above; the view is still p Wells Creek Falls is an incredible waterfall nestled in a tight canyon below Mt. Maximum party size is 12. Loving trailwork from WTA has led to steps and turnpikes that allow this trail to withstand up to 5000 pairs of boots each year. Follow signs to the Skyline Divide Trail, turning left on FR-37. If you feel like saving your thighs a bit of a workout, note there is a fork on the trail for both the second and third knoll, which will lead you to the right around the hill, rather than over it- this is especially helpful if youre carrying heavy backpacking gear! The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. 2022 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. Please respect the fragile meadows by only camping in established campsites. As noted above, you have a couple of options of where to camp- when you first enter the ridgeline, youll see the trail splitting off to the left, which will lead to approximately ten campsites. The trail gains 1500 feet in two miles to reach the ridgeline, so the grade is moderately steep as you ascend through a forest of western hemlock, mountain hemlock, and silver fir. With the green covered hills and large amounts of wild flowers, Skyline Divide is something of a summer paradise. This is such a great way to spend a sunny summer day with friends. So be sure to keep an eye on the Air Quality Index around the trail (Glacier, Washington is a good location to check), as well as this Fire and Smoke Map the week before and even the morning you plan to hike it- smoke conditions can change rapidly depending on the direction of the wind. 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Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Mount Baker Ranger District, Day Hiking: North Cascades (Romano - Mountaineers Books), Buy the Green Trails Mount Baker No. Its about nourishment and learning. Trips here can range from 4.0mi-9.0mi round trip, with optional side trails to explore. Check out our Tips for the Skyline Divide below, including the best campsites along the trail. trip reports for this trail. Turning around at 3.5mi makes for a great 7.0mi roundtrip day hike. Eventually as we continued we lost all of the crowds. Because of this risk (and some other critters like cougars who could make your day a no good, very bad one), I take bear spray (which is used much like pepper spray to temporarily disorient, but not injure aggressive animals) with me wherever I go hiking in Washington state. Travel and camp on durable surfaces: Be sure to only walk and camp on durable surfaces, like dirt or stone. Youll reach the fourth hill about 3.5 miles in. Do you have any questions about hiking the Skyline Divide trail? Stunning views. While a 13-mile forestry road to the trailhead makes light work of some elevation gain, the first 2 miles of the trail are steady uphill through the forest. There are no water sources on the ridge. Seekers of great craft beer, delicious vegan eats, and the best hiking trails. The Skyline Divide Trail is known for its marvelous views of Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan, and these two impressive mountains certainly dont disappoint. FR-37 switchbacks up the mountain for 12.9 miles. Start by driving roughly 2.5 miles up Forest Road 3040, conveniently named E Church Mt Road, to the trailhead. We had beta on an awesome campsite up ahead, but it was already taken. We love finding offbeat adventures and hidden gems, and would love to take you along with us! All rights reserved. Beautiful vistas. The ridge trail heads roughly 3 miles south, skirting a couple of minor peaks before ending with 360-degree views. Potential sites include the first knoll (left turn after achieving the ridgeline) or the Deadhorse Creek campground area mentioned above. Right at this opening to the left the ridge continues and there are campsites available right away. Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. For the most part, this plan worked! Its about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. Looking for the best spots to camp? Such an awesome thing to witness! Seriously. We got to a straight part in the trail about 3.5 miles in with a flat, durable campsite. From Bellingham, take the Mount Baker Highway (SR-542) east 34 miles to the Glacier Public Service Center. They did end up being a few patches of snow around, but by mid summer, I wouldn't count on it. Family friendly. Shuksan. These wildflower meadows are a real highlight of any trip to the Skyline Divide Trail. Would you like to see more hikes in Mount Baker? 05/10/2022 - The road to this trailhead is washed out, The Skyline Divide is a 6000-foot-high ridgeline extension of Mount Baker that transforms itself into a summertime paradise of unrivaled mountain views and unending wildflower fields, a trail that deposits you just 3.5 miles from the summit itself. A quick stroll from the parking area brings you to the upper or "lower" view, where you can either see the top of the waterfall cascading away from you, or see the whole waterfall. This post may contain affiliate links. This is a good hiking trail. Start the hike by heading over to the trail at the left end of the parking lot. These volcanoes and jagged peaks capture my heart. We had such an amazing experience that we returned again the following year for my birthday in August. At the second knoll, there is a fork. Be prepared and bring plenty of layers. adventures and follow local regulations. We promise not to annoy you, but if you wish, you may unsubscribe at any time. Friday, Kaelee and I left Seattle after battling traffic. From there, Wells Creeks snakes through the canyon and enters Bar Creek on the opposite side of the access road. We got back to camp, made dinner and then waited for the sunset. Go for 12.9mi to the trailhead. The only issue comes at 2 miles in where a stream runs over the road and has eroded a small ditch. Baker and Mt. Once youve gotten your fill of the endless wildflower fields and mountain views, do your best Julie Andrews impression as you retrace your steps back to the trailhead. Starting at the marked Heliotrope Ridge parking lot of FS Road 39, just 8 miles out of the quaint town of Glacier, Washington, you begin your ascent to the glacier viewpoint. And bring bug spray- while it doesnt seem to deter the flies at all, it should at least help if you encounter mosquitos along the trail (which, fortunately we didnt). Sunscreen: Once youre on the ridgeline, theres almost no tree coverage and, at such high elevations, the sun is pretty intense. Gaining roughly 1500ft in the first 2.1mi, the Skyline Divide trail starts out steep. Pssst heading to the North Cascades? One major thing to note about this trail is since it is on a ridge, there are no reliable water sources. Choose the length of your hike at Skyline Divide. But the best spots, in my opinion, are located here, right after the first few knolls and along a ridgeline, with nothing but the enormity of Mount Baker to look at from your campsite. Check out the Yellow Aster Butte, Chain Lakes Loop, or Heliotrope Ridge. Contributions to WTA are tax deductible, and we are committed to making the best use of every donation to our mission. Ive driven on a lot of sketchy unmaintained roads in the Pacific Northwest- and this one is honestly the worst Ive ever seen! No campfires are permitted. I accidentally slept through sunrise and we slept until around 7. Here, at 5800ft above sea level, views of Mount Baker, Shuksan and many more will take your breath away. 2021Outdoor Project. Excellent place. Specially since it is 3 hours away from Seattle. After 2.0mi, walk out of the woods into an alpine wonderland. I am going to go again and stay the night when Im more prepared. I made a goal to explore more of the North Cascades this year and so far it's going really well! Jaw dropping views are at the very top, along with free camping! We set our alarms for 2 AM to wake up to take night photos. Take inamazing views of Mt. Washingtons wildfire season usually spans from August through September, although in recent years, it has started to creep into July. Sweeping valleys. Once youve completed the harrowing experience that is conquering National Forest Development Road 37, theres a parking lot by the trailhead that fits approximately 20 cars. On the way back down, we passed a couple hiking up in what resembled a beekeeping outfit (i.e., long shirts and pants with gloves on and a mosquito head net). The sheer diversity of the world at your feet is truly remarkable. Their food and service is great, they also have a good selection of beverages on tap. Please explore responsibly! Nooksack Falls is a wonder of a sight, tumbling 88 ft in two segments averaging 50 ft across. Stunning!
Our tax identification number is EIN 91-0900134. Spectacular views of mountain peaks with snow, forest and lakes. When you approach the timberline (elevation 5900 feet), fields of wildflowers bloom and views of Kulshan peek through the trees, but you ain't seen nothin yet!Burst out onto a knoll on the ridgeline, with Kulshan confronting you to the south. The trailhead was absolutely packed with day hikers. Just as you walk past the sign noting your entry into the Mount Baker Wilderness, the trail dramatically opens onto the ridge with an unmissable view of Mount Baker and then, for the first time, unobstructed views appear east to Mount Shuksan and the peaks beyond in the North Cascades National Park. Shuksan, and the Puget Sound. 
