Aug. 5th Winchester Mountain & High Pass Hike

This hike is a request from a group member (I LOVE requests!) and it has it all: an old fire lookout, outstanding views of the mountains, beautiful lakes, and isn't too tough. The two hikes combined are 7.1 miles with 2100 feet of elevation gain.

We'll drive up to Twin Lakes and use this as our base of operations. First, we'll hike up to the Winchester Lookout, a trail of 3.4 miles and 1300' of elevation. The trail is well-traveled and in good condition, with only a few sketchy sections. After enjoying the views and taking pictures, we'll head back to our cars at the lakes for lunch.

After lunch, we'll head out to High Pass on the flanks of Mount Larabee. This trail is 3.6 miles with only 800' of elevation. Unlike the Winchester trail, this one has some dicey spots and exposure, so be sure to bring your poles. We'll hike up to Larabee base camp for a break before going back down the cars and heading home.

Notes

• Northwest Forest Pass (or Senior Pass) is required
• Dogs are NOT allowed in this Wilderness Area
• We'll be exposed to the sun the whole day - be sure to bring lots of water, appropriate clothes, and sunscreen.
• The road to Twin Lakes is awful! You'll need high ground clearance and AWD is highly recommended. We'll arrange carpooling beforehand for anyone who needs it.

For more info, please see:
WTA Winchester Mountain
WTA High Pass

Driving and carpooling: The trailhead is 1.5 hours east of Bellingham and due to the rough road we may need to carpool. Please leave a comment below if you plan to meet us at the trailhead.

• Bellingham: we'll meet at Lowes Home Improvement at 8:15 to sort out the driving and will leave at 8:30
• Trailhead: if you're meeting us at the trailhead @ 10:00AM, please leave a comment below so we don't wait for you at the carpool site.

Housekeeping:

• We will cancel for high winds or heavy monsoon rains but we will hike otherwise.
• You must sign-up and be on the “Going” list to participate.
• If you sign-up for this event, out of respect for the group and those on the wait list please make every effort to attend.
• Please practice leave-no-trace.

Disclaimer: We are not professional hiking guides or medical professionals. We are volunteers. You alone are 100% responsible for your own comfort and safety. By attending this hike you agree to these terms and do not hold hike organizer(s) liable for injuries and/or medical issues during or after this event.