| One
last fall hike...
By
Tara Nelson
Winchester Mountain
Length: 1.9 miles, one-way
Elevation gain: 300 feet
Difficulty: More difficult
The coming of fall brings cooler
temperatures and shorter days, but there are still plenty
of hikes in the Mount Baker wilderness and can be done in
less than a day.
One trail with spectacular views is
Winchester Mountain, a shortbut difficult trail that winds
through beautiful meadows to a well-maintained fire lookout
with perfect panoramic views of Mt. Baker, Shuksan, American
Border peak and the rugged peaks of the North Cascades.
The
two-mile trail starts between Twin Lakes and switchbacks
through sub-alpine forests and meadows with constant views
of the North Cascades before curving around the mountain
to the fire lookout at 6,500 feet. Alpine flowers and wild
blueberries are abundant along the trail and ripe for picking.
The
lookout, which is maintained by the Mt. Baker Club, is available
on a first-come, first-serve basis and provides sleeping
areas for two.
Note of caution
The Forest Service reports
that steep snow slopes below the lookout can hold snow well
into summer and recommends indivuduals check with the ranger
station for conditions before hiking.
Also, use caution when
crossing the rock wall mid-way on the trail, as it is steep
and partially eroded.
Directions
Take State Route 542 east past
Glacier approximately 13.5 miles. Turn left on Forest Service
Road 3065. Look for a sign that reads “Tomyhoi Trail
5, Twin Lakes 7”.
The road is steep and rough for 4.5 miles to the trailhead
of Yellow Aster Butte and becomes incredibly bumpy the last
two miles to Twin Lakes as it becomes a section of unmaintained
road with no room to pass.
Four-wheel drive may be required
past the Yellow Aster Butte trailhead and many individuals
park and walk up the steep road. Camping and fires are
permitted. A toilet is located at the lookout. |
