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
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Deming, Washington
Hike Skyline Divide
5.09 mi / 2500 ft gainIf 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...Read more -
Deming, Washington
Hike to Table Mountain via Artist Point
5.03 mi / 560 ft gainThe 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...Read more -
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...Read more -
Deming, Washington
Lake Ann and Lower Curtiss Glacier
5.011.67 mi / 3241 ft gainThe 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...Read more -
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...Read more -
Deming, Washington
Winter Backpack in the Mt. Baker Backcountry
6 mi / 1500 ft gainArrive 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...Read more -
Deming, Washington
Winter Backpack to Lake Anne Ridge
14 mi / 2000 ft gainArrive 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...Read more -
Deming, Washington
Winter Backpack to Artist Point
4 mi / 1000 ft gainYou 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 ...Read more -
Concrete, Washington
Climb Mt. Baker via Squak Glacier
10 mi / 7500 ft gainNOTE: 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...Read more -
Concrete, Washington
Park Butte Lookout
4.57.64 mi / 2100 ft gainThis 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 ...Read more -
Concrete, Washington
Backpack the Easton Glacier Railroad Grade
10 mi / 3000 ft gainBegin 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...Read more -
Whatcom County, Washington
Yellow Aster Butte and Tomyhoi Peak
4.713.4 mi / 4902 ft gainThe 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...Read more -
Whatcom County, Washington
Yellow Aster Butte
9.08 mi / 3258 ft gainYellow 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...Read more -
Whatcom County, Washington
Winchester Mountain Fire Lookout
4.83.28 mi / 1335 ft gainWinchester 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...Read more -
Whatcom County, Washington
Winter Hike to Winchester Mountain
3.5 mi / 1320 ft gainDespite 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...Read more -
Concrete, Washington
Dock Butte
4.53.92 mi / 1388 ft gainDock 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...Read more