Whatcom County, Washington

Looking for the best backpacking in Whatcom County? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Whatcom County. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Backpacking Spots in and near Whatcom County

  • Deming, Washington

    Hike Skyline Divide

    5.0
    9 mi / 2500 ft gain
    If driving 13 miles on a forest road, and hiking miles of switchbacks doesn't bother you, your in for one of the most exquisite views that you can get from hiking in Washington state.Just a mile outside of the town of Glacier, turn onto Forest Road 37 and follow it up switchbacks for the majority...
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  • Deming, Washington

    Hike to Table Mountain via Artist Point

    5.0
    3 mi / 560 ft gain
    The hike takes off from the Artist Point parking lot at an elevation of 5,220 feett.The trail slowly meanders up for a while until reaching the final steep switchbacks where you'll have a sheer cliff to your side—don't let it distract you, and keep focused on the trail in front of you!Once you've...
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  • Deming, Washington

    Hiking the Kulshan Ridge

    This hike starts out at Artist Point, where already you can see jaw-dropping scenery of Mt. Shuksan, Baker, Coleman, and many other peaks of the North Cascades. No matter what time of year you visit, you are bound to get unbelievable views and photos.Artist Point is the furthest destination along...
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  • Deming, Washington

    Lake Ann and Lower Curtiss Glacier

    5.0
    11.67 mi / 3241 ft gain
    The trail begins just below Artist Point and is well marked from a paved parking lot. Make sure to have a Northwest Forest Pass for your vehicle. Start your hike by descending on switchbacks through sub-alpine forest. It's a nice start, but remember, that means an uphill hike out. After entering...
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  • Deming, Washington

    Climb Mt. Shuksan via The Fisher Chimneys

    Out of all of the ruggedly beautiful, non-volcanic mountains in the Pacific Northwest, Mt. Shuksan is the center piece. Rising to a height of 9,131 feet, Mt. Shuksan is one of the most photographed mountains in the world with its jagged ridges, hanging glaciers, steep rocky faces and ease of acce...
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  • Deming, Washington

    Winter Backpack in the Mt. Baker Backcountry

    6 mi / 1500 ft gain
    Arrive at the upper ski resort parking lot (approx. 4300 feet elev.) and snowshoe, skin, or split board up. Make your way toward Artist Point and eventually Huntoon Point, gaining approximately 1500 feet of elevation over approximately 3 miles (one way). Past Huntoon Point, there are several grea...
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  • Deming, Washington

    Winter Backpack to Lake Anne Ridge

    14 mi / 2000 ft gain
    Arrive at the upper ski resort parking lot (approx. 4300 feet elev.) and snowshoe, skin, or split board up. Make your way toward Artist Point and halt at Austin Pass, gaining approximately 1200 feet of elevation over approximately 2 miles (one way). From Austin Pass, turn left (south) to take the...
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  • Deming, Washington

    Winter Backpack to Artist Point

    4 mi / 1000 ft gain
    You do need a Northwest Forest Pass to park in the lot overnight. You can buy a day use E-pass online here (pick Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest from the drop down menu) and print it out and it's ready to use. Or you can buy the annual pass here.The adventure to Artist Point begins in the ...
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  • Concrete, Washington

    Climb Mt. Baker via Squak Glacier

    10 mi / 7500 ft gain
    NOTE: THIS ROUTE REQUIRES GLACIER TRAVEL SKILLSMt Baker, or Kulshan, is a remarkable mountain in northwest Washington. Whether you're in Anacortes, Bellingham, Vancouver or on the San Juan Islands you can see Mt Baker standing as a citadel over the Northwest. Unlike the more popular routes like t...
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  • Concrete, Washington

    Park Butte Lookout

    4.5
    7.64 mi / 2100 ft gain
    This place is really the stuff of fairy tales. Where else can you find a tiny cabin with 360-degree views of stunning mountain scenery? To the west, you can see all the way to Bellingham and the Puget Sound. To the south and east lie the jagged North Cascades. And the entire northern horizon is ...
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  • Concrete, Washington

    Backpack the Easton Glacier Railroad Grade

    10 mi / 3000 ft gain
    Begin at the Park Butte trailhead, trail 603. Hike past the first Scott Paul trail sign a few hundred feet from the trailhead. Continue on and cross appropriately name Rocky Creek heading up on the Park Butte Trail. Continue up the Park Butte trail passing the Scott Paul trail again at about 4,50...
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  • Whatcom County, Washington

    Yellow Aster Butte and Tomyhoi Peak

    4.7
    13.4 mi / 4902 ft gain
    The best way to describe the location is due east of Bellingham. After driving through gorgeous roads to reach Twin Lakes Road (fire service road 3065), you are treated to about a 4-mile drive up to the trailhead for Yellow Aster Butte (8.3 miles RT with 2850' of gain) and Tomyhoi Peak. The drive...
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  • Whatcom County, Washington

    Yellow Aster Butte

    9.08 mi / 3258 ft gain
    Yellow Aster Butte has to be one of the most visually rewarding hikes in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest for the effort required to get there. Abundant with lush, rolling mountain meadows, hikers can be treated to an abundance of wildflowers, heather fields, and berry patches with dreamy...
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  • Whatcom County, Washington

    Winchester Mountain Fire Lookout

    4.8
    3.28 mi / 1335 ft gain
    Winchester Mountain is said to have the greatest reward for least amount of effort in all the North Cascades. One of the last fire-lookouts in the region stands on the summit. Views from the summit of Winchester Mountain are beautiful and dramatic to say the least. Being one of the easiest hikes...
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  • Whatcom County, Washington

    Winter Hike to Winchester Mountain

    3.5 mi / 1320 ft gain
    Despite this trip report being titled "to Winchester Mountain", the fun doesn’t stop there. Even though Winchester Mountain is the most popular summer hike departing from Twin Lakes, this whole area turns into a fun-zone during the winter.Upon reaching higher ground above the lakes, this zone off...
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  • Concrete, Washington

    Dock Butte

    4.5
    3.92 mi / 1388 ft gain
    Dock Butte is an easy hike offering truly spectacular 360 degree views of the Mt. Baker region. In summer this summit can be done as an easy walk up. It is especially good during the late summer for hikers and introducing someone into hiking. From the parking lot the trail goes through forest wi...
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