Hiking Guide
WTA's hiking guide is the most comprehensive database of hikes in Washington, and comprises content written by local hiking experts and user submitted information. All data is vetted by WTA staff. This resource is made possible by the donations of WTA members.
We respectfully acknowledge the lands we are visiting are the homelands of Indigenous tribes of the Pacific Northwest, some of whom have reserved rights on these lands. Tribes continue to rely on and share in the management of these lands today. Please tread gently and treat these places with respect.
Results List
77 HikesArtist Ridge - Huntoon Point
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 1.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,150 feet
The road to Artist Point is closed for the winter season
This spectacular, short trail gets lots of love during its short hiking season. Accessible for less than three months each year, hordes of hikers and tourists take to it as the snow finally begins to melt.
Wild Goose
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 1.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,100 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,100 feet
The road to Artist Point is closed for the winter season
Hike from the Artist Point parking area to the Heather Meadows Visitor Center and back. With 1,100 feet of elevation gain, you'll have a great thigh workout. Combine Wild Goose with many of the other short trails in the area to make a full day of exploration, or use the Wild Goose trail to access Swift Creek or Lake Ann.
Silesia Creek
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 9.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,680 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,200 feet
Wildfire: trail closed
This is a lightly used trail located at the end of the Twin Lakes Road. Finding solitude is not a problem on this seldom used trail. Check out this hike for a break from the crowds at Winchester Lookout and Twin Lakes.
Picture Lake
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 0.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 45 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,157 feet
Road closed: The road to Artist Point is closed for the winter
Follow a short, ADA-accessible path around Picture Lake, home to one of the most photographed vistas in America. Featuring a backdrop of craggy Mount Shuksan and a foreground of wilflowers ringing a sparkling lake in summer, Picture Lake is pretty as, well, a picture.
Elbow Lake
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 16.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,100 feet
Above the banks of the South Fork Nooksack lies Pioneer Camp and the trailhead for the Elbow Lake Trail. Climb gently the first two miles through mature, mid-elevation forest to the Bell Pass Trail junction, a little used route to Mazama Park, or continue another mile to access the remote beauty of Elbow Lake. Large, ancient yellow cedars can be found on the north side of the lake as the trail continues to wind towards the Middle Fork Nooksack.
Scott Paul Trail
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,200 feet
A loop hike to the base of Mount Baker or a rugged alternate route to Park Butte: take your pick. Along the way, soak in sweeping views of the North Cascades, gaze at Koma Kulshan’s glistening glaciers, munch on an inexhaustible supply of berries, and marvel at old-growth western hemlock forest.
High Pass
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 3.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 765 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,965 feet
Discover views similar to Winchester Mountain and hike this seldom-traveled trail with views of Mount Larabee and increased chances of encountering wildlife.
Excelsior Peak via Damfino Lakes Trail
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 5.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,699 feet
Disregarding the apocryphal stories about their name, the Damfino Lakes are noteworthy only to distinguish this route from two other routes. The lakes pale in comparison to these magnificent destinations: Excelsior Pass, the High Divide, and Excelsior Peak.
Schriebers Meadow Snowshoe
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 11.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,200 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,200 feet
On the flanks of Mount Baker’s south side, Schriebers Meadow makes for a delightful snowshoe excursion, either for a daytrip or an overnight experience.
Mount Baker
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Highest Point
- 10,778 feet
The dominant feature in the North Cascades is Mount Baker, a glaciated volcano that can be seen on clear days from as far as Seattle and makes a great backdrop for photos of Vancouver, BC. Many hiking trails follow the ridges around Mount Baker and offer stunning views of the summit. Climbing to the summit is done mainly via the Coleman and Easton glaciers and requires technical expertise with high-altitude snow and ice.
High Divide Trail
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 11.0 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 4,723 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,821 feet
The High Divide Trail is popular because of its long ridge ramble through alpine meadows and its sweeping views of the North Cascades.
Canyon Ridge
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 10.3 miles, one-way
This multi-use trail meanders through mature forest to connect with the Boundary Way trail to expansive views of the North Cascades and Mount Baker.
Boyd Creek Interpretive Trail
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 0.7 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
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Highest Point
- 906 feet
Road washout: The Boyd Creek trailhead is inaccessible by car due to a road washout
This less-than-a-mile boardwalk hike is a lovely way to get outside and enjoy a little forest time in a cathedral of trees.
Coal Pass Snowshoe
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 10.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,500 feet
The road to this trailhead is washed out. Closure is anticipated to last until January 2023
Following a series of winding, snow-covered forest roads, the route to Coal Pass culminates in sweeping views of Mount Baker’s glaciated northwest flank.
Skyline Divide
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 9.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,563 feet
The road to this trailhead is washed out. Closure is anticipated to last until January 2023
The Skyline Divide is a 6000-foot-high ridgeline extension of Mount Baker that transforms itself into a summertime paradise of unrivaled mountain views and unending wildflower fields, a trail that deposits you just 3.5 miles from the summit itself.
Nooksack Falls
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 0.1 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 14 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,614 feet
This short trail leads to an observation area overlooking the waterfall on the North Fork Nooksack River.
Dock Butte
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 4.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,500 feet
6/7/2022 Road Closed: This trailhead is inaccessible
Dock Butte boasts sweeping views of Mount Baker, Baker Lake, and several prominent peaks in the North Cascades and Olympic Peninsula. It is a great option for beginner hikers looking to up their hiking game as well as those looking for exceptional mountain views without the mileage and time commitment of a longer hike.
Blue Lake
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 1.7 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 300 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,984 feet
6/7/2022 Road Closed: This trailhead is inaccessible
One of several Blue Lakes in Washington State, this Blue Lake lies about four and a half miles south of Mount Baker and requires less than a mile of hiking to reach it. Its translucent blue-green colors peek out beneath the shadows of a sheer rock wall partially encircling the lake, a reward for conquering the somewhat eroded and rooty trail that leads to it. Families, anglers, and hikers looking to experience a pretty subalpine lake will enjoy this short, yet memorable hike.
Huntoon Point Snowshoe
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,200 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,200 feet
With a starting elevation of 4,300, this tour is your best guarantee of good snow, even in a lean year.
Baker Hot Springs
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
Drive a rough road to a short trail leading to extremely popular hot springs near Mount Baker.
Artist Point Snowshoe
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,100 feet
Artist Point is the top competitor for best viewpoint in the state. The beautifully shaped Mount Shuksan is the star of the area, with a gorgeous summit pyramid and several impressive glaciers. This relatively easy snowshoe is an excellent winter destination with a virtual guarantee of good snow coverage.
Shadow of The Sentinels
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 0.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 50 feet
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Highest Point
- 900 feet
This interpretive trail is a great one for visitors of all ages. Thanks to the boardwalk, it's great for all comers, including those with mobility issues. Educational signs found along the trail illustrate the purpose of our forests and the reason we need to preserve them.
Salmon Ridge Snowshoe
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 5.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 300 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,400 feet
With gentle terrain, easy river access and views of snow-laden peaks, this narrow river valley is an inviting snowshoe destination, especially for beginners.
Nooksack Cirque
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 9.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 640 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,840 feet
This unique, low-elevation hike follows the North Fork Nooksack River to spectacular scenery near the base of Mount Shuksan. This is a great late summer or early fall hike when Ruth Creek is low enough to ford. Keep in mind the limited maintenance this trail sees -- you may be in for a brushbash.
Middle Fork Nooksack River Snowshoe
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,850 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,850 feet
This snowshoe route follows Forest Road 38 at the end of the Middle Fork Nooksack Valley.
Han Peak
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Elevation Gain
- 5,681 feet
A class 3-4 scramble up a peak above Lake Ann in the North Cascades. Climbing and route-finding experience and climbing gear required.
Edfro Creek Preserve
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 9.4 miles, roundtrip
This quiet little forested walk near Acme offers lush greenery, plenty of wildlife to spot, and a nice, newly-maintained trail to enjoy a half-day hike.
Coleman Pinnacle
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
A summit 5 miles into the Ptarmigan Ridge Traverse. Class 2 or 3 scramble -- equipment and expertise required.
Bearpaw Mountain Lake
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 1.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 650 feet
Bearpaw Lake is a small fishing lake near the Damfino Lakes Trail, which is the shortest route to the exquisite High Divide.
Excelsior Pass via Nooksack River
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 7.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,600 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,400 feet
This trail is a staircase of switchbacks that march ever upward through thick forest to deliver hikers to an iconic ridge walk in the North Cascades.