What we’re about
This Meetup is led by volunteers of the Sierra Club Mount Baker Group that serves members and friends in Skagit, Whatcom and San Juan Counties. We love the outdoors and we'd like to have you join our activities in the forests, shores, in our parks, and anywhere else we plan interesting hikes, walks and overnight camping trips.
For information about the Sierra Club Mount Baker Group, please visit our website
The purpose of this outing is to support the Sierra Club's mission. You do not need to be a member of the Sierra Club to join us, yet we highly encourage you to show your support. For more information about becoming a member of the Sierra Club, please click here.
We strive to have minimum impact on the environment during our outings, as we follow the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace. Whether you are in the wilderness or a local park, outings, with proper planning, can provide a wonderful opportunity to unplug for a mindful hiking adventure.
Whatever type of trip you are planning, take items with you (the "Ten Essentials") that you cannot improvise so easily in the field and will go a long way towards ensuring a safe and rewarding experience.
Limited trailhead parking can be frustrating. Be kind to yourself and the environment by considering public transportation. To see if the trailhead may be available via bus, please check out WTA's Bus Tracker.
Participants under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
We seek to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all participants on our outings. Sierra Club's Outings Programs insist on a safe space agreement among participants, leaders, volunteers, and staff. We want to support everyone in exploring, enjoying, and protecting these phenomenal spaces, and hateful and dangerous behavior will not be tolerated. We don't want to deny participation in these outdoor programs and we will always say no to racism, sexism, ageism, homophobia, impairment, and disruption. Our space is to be a safe space, no matter your sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, race, religion, or language. The Sierra Club prohibits any form of inappropriate, bullying, harassing, or other discriminatory behavior (“inappropriate behavior”). All people who lead and participate in Sierra Club outings have the right to be treated appropriately. For a description of ways inappropriate behavior might manifest, please click here.
Generally, pet dogs are only allowed if the write-up includes language specifically welcoming them. If you need to bring a service animal on an outing, contact leader prior to trip date.
Upcoming events (3)
See all- Chain Lakes Loop HikeArtist Point, Deming, WA
To attend this event, click here to register and obtain detailed information.
Join us for a day hike into Mount Baker Wilderness on the Chain Lakes Loop Trail, and take in stunning views of the North Cascades as we traverse through an alpine environment. We will make plenty of stops to admire the scenery and any interesting plants and animals we encounter along the way. We'll also pause for a conversation about local opportunities to take action on behalf of wild places.
We will meet at the the Chain Lakes Loop Trailhead at Artist Point.
The purpose of this outing is to support the Sierra Club's mission. You do not need to be a member of the Sierra Club to join us, yet we highly encourage you to show your support. For more information about becoming a member of the Sierra Club, please click here.
Questions? Contact the leader listed on the registration page.
- Pride Walk at Stimpson Family Nature ReserveStimpson Family Nature Reserve, Bellingham, WA
Join the Mt Baker Group of the Sierra Club as we celebrate the first day of Pride Weekend with a leisurely paced, easy hike (approximately 3 miles, 350 feet gain), along the Main Loop Trail of this mature Lake Whatcom watershed forest. The Stimpson Family Nature Reserve offers hiking trails through a beautiful forest setting. The forest is largely undisturbed and displays characteristics of an old-growth forest, including Douglas Fir trees over 400 years old, a wide diversity of tree species, snags and decaying logs, and a complex architecture of canopy, understory, shrub layer, and tapestry of the forest floor. Two ponds and additional wetland areas support a wide variety of plants and animals, including beaver. Deer, cougar, and smaller mammals frequent the park. We will casually walk through the quiet of a towering forest, over streams and past ponds. We may have multiple brief stops, as there is potential to see a wide variety of animals, mature trees, ferns, mosses and fungi. This beautiful forest reserve is the result of the generous gift from the Stimpson Family, plus collaboration of various community partnerships and public entities. There are gender-specific, single stall restrooms at the trailhead, but no potable water access. We will meet at 1:00 PM at the parking lot. Level of difficulty: Easy.
The purpose of this outing is to support the Sierra Club's mission. You do not need to be a member of the Sierra Club to join us, yet we highly encourage you to show your support. For more information about becoming a member of the Sierra Club, please click here.
Questions? Contact the leader listed on the registration page.
COVID-19 - No vaccine or tests are required for this outing. You may be walking with people who are vaccinated and unvaccinated. You are welcome to wear a mask if it makes you comfortable. Please stay home if you are sick or experiencing any COVID symptoms.
Waiver - All participants in Sierra Club activities are required to sign a standard Participation Agreement when rsvping or at the trailhead. You can review the agreement form at the trailhead or here.
Medical - If you have any medical issues the leaders should know about, please tell the leader in person before you start the walk. You may also provide pertinent medical information about yourself (emergency contact, allergies, medications, and general medical history) on a Sierra Club medical form that is available here or from the leader at the meeting point. Your medical information will be referred to or passed along to emergency responders if you have a medical emergency during the walk. It is a good idea to keep a copy in your pack.
- Excelsior Peak HikeDamfino Lakes Trailhead, Washington, WA
To attend this event, click here to register and obtain detailed information.
Featuring conifer forest, alpine meadows, and stunning views of the North Cascades, the trail to Excelsior Peak is well worth the at times strenuous climb to the top. While taking our time on the way up we'll pause to talk about the forest and alpine environments through which we're passing and to note any interesting plants, animals, or fungi. We'll especially keep an eye out for fireweed, valerian, alpine heather, and other wildflowers. The hike will also include time to discuss opportunities to take action on behalf of wild places. This trail is rated by All Trails as challenging. Well-behaved dogs are welcome.
We will meet at the Damfino Lakes Trailhead.
The purpose of this outing is to support the Sierra Club's mission. You do not need to be a member of the Sierra Club to join us, yet we highly encourage you to show your support. For more information about becoming a member of the Sierra Club, please click here.
Questions? Contact the leader listed on the registration page.
