Winchester Mountain Fire Lookout

Whatcom County, Washington

4.8/5

based on 6 reviews

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Details

Distance

3.28 miles

Elevation Gain

1335 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Beau Ramsey

One of the greatest reward for least amount of effort in the North Cascades. Stay the night in a historical Fire Lookout (1st come, 1st Serve). Campsites at lake or on the summit area.

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 on Hwy 542, it gains only 1,300ft in 2.5 miles from Twin Lakes.

NOTE: A high clearance vehicle is required to drive Twin Lakes Road beyond the Yellow Aster Butte trailhead. Otherwise park at the Yellow Aster Butte trailhead and hike 2 miles and 1,600ft to Twin Lakes (5,200ft). This will change the total mileage from 5 miles round-trip to 9 miles.

GETTING THERE:

From I-5 take exit 255 (Sunset/Mt Baker hwy) and drive east 31 miles to the town of Glacier
Drive another 13.5 miles and take a left on forest service road 3065 (Twin Lakes Road)
Drive 5 miles (stay left at all forks) park at the Yellow Aster Butte/Lake Tomyhoi trailhead
From here high clearance vehicles may be able to drive beyond this point but it gets very rough. Park at Twin Lakes Trailhead.

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Winchester Mountain Fire Lookout Reviews

Explorer

Jess Fischer

Explorer

Winchester Mountain Fire Lookout

09/22/18

Easily one of my favorite overnight trips to date. The hike quickly takes you uphill (slightly strenuous, but overall easy) so just give yourself time to recover when you need it. The views are INCREDIBLE. We went in mid September and the temperatures quickly dropped into the mid twenties at night but we were well prepared with our winter gear.

5.0

Explorer

John Sunich

Explorer

Winchester Mountain Fire Lookout

07/27/16

One of my favorite hikes when I lived in Bellingham. The best views I witnessed up there was right after the first dusting of snow but the fall colors were still bright orange and red.. Very beautiful scene!

5.0

Kyle Szegedi

Winchester Mountain Fire Lookout

10/22/15

Had a great time backpacking to the lookout tower, although steep the hike is relatively short and only takes around an hour to complete. Definitely one of my favorite views of Mt. Baker. Try to come on a new moon to see the milky way and aurora borealis!

5.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Winter Hike to Winchester Mountain

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 offers incredible views of Mt. Baker, Mt. Shuksan, Goat Mountain, Twin Lakes, Winchester Mountain, and ...

Yellow Aster Butte and Tomyhoi Peak

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 contains beautiful river views and waterfalls as it climbs its way up to the trailhead. It can get ...

Yellow Aster Butte

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 scenes of rugged peaks in every direction on the 9-mile round trip will get you up to the top of Ye...

Climb Ruth Mountain and Icy Peak

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Catch a Sunrise at Picture Lake

Set your eyes on one of the most photographic mountain landscapes in North America. You can drive up early for the sunrise, but really any time of day will be a treat.In the spring, make sure to come when the lake isn't frozen over so you can get the full reflection of Mt. Shuksan on the water. Towards the end of summer and in the fall, alternatively, a backdrop of wildflowers and colorful plan...

Snowshoe to Huntoon Point

This strenuous but rewarding hike takes you first to Austin Pass, where there is a great view of Mount Shuksan. Look out for skiers and snowboarders heading the opposite direction as you start out.The second major push heads further up to Kulshan Ridge, leading first to Artist Point, then Huntoon Point, with beautiful views of Mount Shuksan, the Border Peaks, and Mt. Baker.The trailhead is loca...

Winchester Mountain Fire Lookout

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Winchester Mountain Fire Lookout Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

Winter Hike to Winchester Mountain

Yellow Aster Butte and Tomyhoi Peak

Yellow Aster Butte

Climb Ruth Mountain and Icy Peak

Catch a Sunrise at Picture Lake

Snowshoe to Huntoon Point

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