Church Mountain Trail - Epic North Cascades Views!

We’re heading up to Church Mountain for a challenging North Cascades adventure with beautiful alpine meadows and incredible panoramic views of Mount Baker, Mount Shuksan, Kidney Lakes, Tomyhoi, and the surrounding peaks. 🌄
The first few miles are a serious uphill grind through the forest with lots of switchbacks. Once we reach the meadows, the scenery opens up dramatically, followed by a steep final push toward the summit.
The final section includes a short rocky scramble, but the 360° summit views make the climb absolutely worth it! 🏔

📌 Hike Overview
🔥 Hike Rating: Hard / Strenuous
📏 Distance: ~8.2 miles round trip
⛰ Elevation Gain: ~3,789 ft
🚶 Pace: Moderate with microbreaks
🏔 Highest Elevation: ~6,100 ft
🌄 Highlights: Alpine meadows, Mount Baker, Mount Shuksan, Kidney Lakes, panoramic North Cascades views
🚗 Drive Time from Seattle: ~2.5 hours
🗺 Trailhead / Links
📍 Trailhead: Church Mountain Trailhead, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

🧭 Hike Details & Map:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/church-mountain-trail

🚗📍 Schedule & Meeting
Meeting Location: Green Lake P&R
• 7:00 AM – Meet at Green Lake P&R
• 7:10 AM – Depart promptly
• ~9:40 AM – Arrive at trailhead
• ~9:45 AM – Begin hiking
• ~3:30–4:30 PM – Return to trailhead (~5–6 hr hike + breaks)
• ~7:00 PM – Estimated return to Seattle
Times are approximate and may vary depending on group pace, road conditions, and photo stops.

📌 Carpool coordination & updates: Please check comments.
🅿️ Parking Permit
🎫 Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass required at the trailhead.

🚗 Carpool Arrangements
• Coordinate via comments
• 💵 Total carpool cost: $30

🛡 Safety & Fitness
• This is a hard and strenuous hike, with nearly 3,800 ft of elevation gain over ~8.2 miles.
• The first ~3 miles are a sustained uphill climb through forest with numerous switchbacks.
• The trail opens into beautiful alpine meadows before the final steep climb toward the summit.
• The last section includes loose rock and a short scramble. A cable near the summit can be used as a handhold.
• The road to the trailhead is rough and includes a seasonal stream crossing. Low-clearance vehicles should not attempt the road; AWD/4WD is recommended.
• Weather can change quickly at higher elevations, so bring appropriate layers.
• You are responsible for your own safety and preparedness.

🎒 Bring the 10 Essentials
• Hiking boots
• Trekking poles (highly recommended)
• Headlamp + spare batteries
• Waterproof / wind-resistant jacket
• Warm summit layers
• 3L+ water
• Food / snacks + lunch
• Sunscreen + sunglasses
• First aid kit
• Navigation / GPS — download offline map

🚘 Carpooling Culture
• State if you can offer a ride or need a ride
• Contributions help cover gas and vehicle wear & tear
• Be respectful of drivers — this is a long-distance trip
• Drivers: Understand your responsibilities and liabilities for the trip

⚠️ Disclaimer
By RSVPing and attending, you acknowledge that you are responsible for your own safety. Know your physical limits and come prepared for a long, strenuous mountain day.