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  • Whatcom County, Washington

    Top Spots in and near Whatcom County

    • Deming, Washington

      Hike the Horseshoe Bend Trail

      4.0
      6 mi / 210 ft gain
      Located just outside the town of Glacier, WA and 40 minutes prior to Mount Baker Ski area, sits the Horseshoe Bend Trail. A simple and straightforward 6 mile out and back route. To get here, take Hwy 542 towards the direction of Mount Baker. About 4 miles after you pass through the town of Glacie...
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    • 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

      Summit Church Mountain

      8.5 mi / 3750 ft gain
      Start by driving roughly 2.5 miles up Forest Road 3040, conveniently named E Church Mt Road, to the trailhead. The road is bumpy, but lacking the pot-holes that occupy many of the other forest roads. The only issue comes at 2 miles in where a stream runs over the road and has eroded a small ditch...
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    • Deming, Washington

      Hike Helitrope Ridge

      4.7
      5.5 mi / 1500 ft gain
      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. The trailhead sign indicates that it is a strenuous 2,000 ft gain over 2.5 miles up to the overlook.This clearly cut trail...
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    • Deming, Washington

      Hike to Racehorse Falls

      3.7
      Racehorse Creek is broken up into four distinct waterfalls that drop a total of 140ft through a relatively shallow gorge. The first two waterfalls are punchbowl-type falls that have deep holes at their bases. Immediately below the second waterfall, the creek descends rapidly before it arrives at...
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    • Deming, Washington

      Visit Nooksack Falls

      The View.  Nooksack Falls is a wonder of a sight, tumbling 88 ft in two segments averaging 50 ft across.  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.  The water...
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    • Deming, Washington

      Hike to Sholes Creek Falls

      5.0
      Sholes Creek Falls is not easy to reach, but it is entirely worth the journey. 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 waterfall is framed by massive columns of volcanic rock that dwarf the falls, in compar...
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    • Deming, Washington

      Bike to Wells Creek Falls

      Wells Creek Falls is an incredible waterfall nestled in a tight canyon below Mt. Baker. The falls plunges 93-ft. over a volcanic cliff face and envelops the small amphitheater below in a cloud of mist. From there, Wells Creeks snakes through the canyon and enters Bar Creek on the opposite side of...
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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

      Hike Ptarmigan Ridge in the North Cascades

      5.0
      9 mi / 1350 ft gain
      Directions are from Bellingham.  Drive Sr 542(Mt Baker Highway) approximately 60 miles to the parking area at Artist Point, elev. 5140 ft.  Try to park towards the southwest corner of the lot as this is where our trail begins.  Toilets are available.The trail starts from the southwest corner of t...
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    • Deming, Washington

      Explore Artist Point

      5.0
      Note that Artist Point is only accessible by car during the summer - it is closed off from cars as of First Snowfall (end of September) through June.The parking lot of Artist Point is only about an hour and fifteen minute drive from the city of Bellingham, WA. The beautiful and peaceful road that...
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    • Deming, Washington

      Snowshoe to Artist Point

      5.0
      5.5 mi / 1200 ft gain
      From the south end of the ski area, snowshoe past an old ski lodge along an old access road parallel to the ski hill. Then, ascend Austin Pass (2 miles) following the broad switchbacks. Once at the top of the ridge, follow the road to the left 1/4 mile and take in the views of Artist Point, Mou...
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    • Deming, Washington

      Stargazing at Artist Point

      A couple things must coincide for you to have a great time watching the milky way at Artist Point. The road up to Artist is only open during the summer and early Autumn months but it's always good to check on the Washington State Department of Transportation website to see current road conditions...
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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

      Hike the Bagley Lakes Trail

      4.5
      2 mi / 150 ft gain
      Set within the Mount Baker hiking wonderland, the Bagley Lakes trail is an easy, family-friendly hike with alpine lakes, copious amounts of wildflowers, and striking views of Table Mountain. Compared to the notoriety of many of the other hikes within the area, this is a hidden gem. There are actu...
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    • Deming, Washington

      Hike the Fire and Ice Trail

      0.5 mi / 100 ft gain
      Set within the Mount Baker hiking wonderland, the Fire & Ice Trail may be the easiest and most family friendly hike set within the park. About ½ mile beyond the Heather Meadows Ski Area and about a mile before Artists Point, you’ll encounter the sign for the Austin Pass Picnic Area. It’s a ra...
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    Camping and Lodging in Whatcom County

    Douglas Fir Campground
    Deming, Washington

    Douglas Fir Campground

    Silver Fir Campground
    Deming, Washington

    Silver Fir Campground

    Excelsior Group Camp
    Mount Baker Highway

    Excelsior Group Camp

    Park Creek Campground
    Concrete, Washington

    Park Creek Campground

    Boulder Creek Campground
    Concrete, Washington

    Boulder Creek Campground

    Panorama Point Campground
    Concrete, Washington

    Panorama Point Campground

    Guides, Insights and Stories from Whatcom County

    Dare to Challenge Winter in the Mount Baker Backcountry and the Payoffs Can Be Monumental

    Dare to Challenge Winter in the Mount Baker Backcountry and the Payoffs Can Be Monumental

    Randy Gordon

    Adventure on the Lake: Kayaking to the Stave Falls Dam Powerhouse

    Adventure on the Lake: Kayaking to the Stave Falls Dam Powerhouse

    Jonny Kelly

    5 Fall Hikes in Whatcom County

    5 Fall Hikes in Whatcom County

    Beau Gaughran

    The Top 10 Hikes in the North Cascades

    The Top 10 Hikes in the North Cascades

    Michael Fricke

    14 Photos from our Amazing Weekend in the North Cascades

    14 Photos from our Amazing Weekend in the North Cascades

    John Wingfield