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Whatcom County, Washington

Looking for the best hiking 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 Hiking Spots in and near Whatcom County

  • 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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  • Concrete, Washington

    Climb Mt. Baker via the Easton Glacier Route

    16 mi / 7600 ft gain
    The Easton Glacier route is one of the mountain’s most popular and likewise, most crowded. Check out Mt. Baker’s Squak Glacier route or Coleman Deming Glacier route for an alternative climb with similar difficulty.You’ll start out at Schreibers Meadow Trailhead (3,200 ft.). To get there, exit off...
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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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  • Concrete, Washington

    Rainbow Ridge

    4.51 mi / 1552 ft gain
    The Trail From the parking area proceed back towards the road and hang a right up an abandoned road bed.  The trail follows this road bed for a about 0.2 miles before the real trail becomes evident.  The first 0.5 - 1.0 miles of this trail can be difficult.  Deadfall, wet, steep, and root covere...
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  • Concrete, Washington

    Winter Hike to Rainbow RIdge

    4.5 mi / 1200 ft gain
    Turn left off of the Grandy-Baker Lake Road onto FS RD 1130 just past the Boulder Creek Campground. Stay right at the first fork in the road. At 3.9 miles go right towards Rainbow Falls.  The falls are located at a large bend in the road at approximately 4.5 miles.  I have never found a good safe...
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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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  • Chilliwack, British Columbia

    Hike to Elk Mountain

    4.7
    4.3 mi / 2624.7 ft gain
    Elk Mountain is one of the not so hidden-hidden gems in Chilliwack, BC. Clocking in at around 4 hours return it is an easy day hike offering beautiful views of the Fraser Valley and surrounding mountains. Reaching around 1500m in only 3.5 km, this trail is steep, but beautiful forest and mountain...
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  • Whatcom County, Washington

    Climb Ruth Mountain and Icy Peak

    5.0
    17 mi / 6000 ft gain
    This is a great introductory glacial climb in the North Cascades with moderate glacial slopes and 4th class scrambling. The reward is outstanding views of the Picket Range, Mt Shuksan and the dramatic Nooksack Cirque. Even though this climb is easy it can be demanding and requires individuals to ...
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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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  • Concrete, Washington

    Mt. Shuksan via The Sulphide Glacier Route

    13.62 mi / 6230 ft gain
    NOTE: This is a very challenging mountaineering adventure. Please do not attempt without the proper skill, knowledge, and equipment.  The Sulphide Glacier is the easiest and most popular route to the summit of Mt. Shuksan, and is a great beginner’s glacier + rock climb. More experienced climbers...
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  • Concrete, Washington

    Hike the East Bank of Baker Lake

    4.3
    9.2 mi / 978 ft gain
    Access the hike from a 26.5-mile drive down Baker Lake Rd to the Baker Lake Trailhead. Note that the last 6 miles are unpaved and rather rough. The trail starts at low elevation so there's rarely snow or condition concerns, even in early spring. The trail runs alongside and then crosses the Bake...
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