Mount Vernon, Washington
Top Spots in and near Mount Vernon
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Deming, Washington
Hike the Bagley Lakes Trail
4.52 mi / 150 ft gainSet within the Mount Baker hiking wonderland, the Bagley Lakes trail is an easy, family-friendly hike with alpine lakes, copious amounts of wildflowers, and striking views of Table Mountain. Compared to the notoriety of many of the other hikes within the area, this is a hidden gem. There are actu...Read more -
Deming, Washington
Chain Lakes Loop
4.08.35 mi / 2005 ft gainDriving Directions: Travel east on Mt. Baker Highway 542 to the road's end and the Mount Baker Ski area. Follow the signs to the upper parking lot and the Bagley Lakes/Chain Lakes trailhead. The trail can also be accessed from Austin Pass and Artist Point. Trail: From the Bagley Lakes trail...Read more -
Deming, Washington
Winter Backpack in the Mt. Baker Backcountry
6 mi / 1500 ft gainArrive at the upper ski resort parking lot (approx. 4300 feet elev.) and snowshoe, skin, or split board up. Make your way toward Artist Point and eventually Huntoon Point, gaining approximately 1500 feet of elevation over approximately 3 miles (one way). Past Huntoon Point, there are several grea...Read more -
Deming, Washington
Backcountry Skiing Near Mt. Baker
5.0Park at Heather Meadows parking lot at Mount Baker Ski Resort and follow the Blueberry cat-track, which is actually a paved road in the summer, leading south up for 2 miles passing Austin Pass and continuing southwest on to Artist Point, gaining 1200 ft in elevation. From there, dig out your snow...Read more -
Deming, Washington
Winter Backpack to Lake Anne Ridge
14 mi / 2000 ft gainArrive at the upper ski resort parking lot (approx. 4300 feet elev.) and snowshoe, skin, or split board up. Make your way toward Artist Point and halt at Austin Pass, gaining approximately 1200 feet of elevation over approximately 2 miles (one way). From Austin Pass, turn left (south) to take the...Read more -
Deming, Washington
Winter Backpack to Artist Point
4 mi / 1000 ft gainYou do need a Northwest Forest Pass to park in the lot overnight. You can buy a day use E-pass online here (pick Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest from the drop down menu) and print it out and it's ready to use. Or you can buy the annual pass here.The adventure to Artist Point begins in the ...Read more -
Deming, Washington
Snowshoe to Huntoon Point
5.06 mi / 1200 ft gainThis strenuous but rewarding hike takes you first to Austin Pass, where there is a great view of Mount Shuksan. Look out for skiers and snowboarders heading the opposite direction as you start out.The second major push heads further up to Kulshan Ridge, leading first to Artist Point, then Huntoon...Read more -
Granite Falls, Washington
North Lake via Independence Lake
5.56 mi / 2431 ft gainNorth Lake is everything you could want in a subalpine lake: emerald green hues, cold, clear water, lots of brook trout and far from cell-phone reception. This backpack is perfect when the weather gets hot and sunny, though it does reside in what is known as “the wettest section of the Cascades,...Read more -
Deming, Washington
Catch a Sunrise at Picture Lake
4.7Set your eyes on one of the most photographic mountain landscapes in North America. You can drive up early for the sunrise, but really any time of day will be a treat.In the spring, make sure to come when the lake isn't frozen over so you can get the full reflection of Mt. Shuksan on the water. T...Read more -
Friday Harbor, Washington
Hike to Lovers Leap on Stuart Island
5 mi / 200 ft gainThis hike is only doable if you are already on Stuart Island! There is no public transportation to Stuart Island, so you must already be there or have a plan to be there in order to complete this hike.I frequent this island during the summer months and it is one of my favorites. I always stay in ...Read more -
Friday Harbor, Washington
Kayak Camp on Stuart Island
5.0The northwestern-most point of the San Juan Islands, Stuart Island, is arguably the most gorgeous island to circumnavigate. Unfortunately, as Stuart Island is 16 miles away from the closest ferry port, there is no simple way to get there in one day. A couple of options to get there include:1) Onc...Read more -
Granite Falls, Washington
Dispersed Camp near Beaver Creek Group Camp, Mt. Baker Snoqualmie NF
This campsite is located along the Mountain Loop Highway. There are various options for dispersed camping around the area, as well as some you can reserve ahead of time such as the Coal Creek Campground and the Beaver Creek Group Campground. This campsite is located just before Beaver Creek grou...Read more -
Marblemount, Washington
Hike Lazy Bear Falls
3.0To get to Lazy Bear Falls, take Bacon Creek Road off the North Cascade Highway for 5 miles. At the 3-way fork, take the left road, which will lead you down and over a bridge crossing Bacon Creek. From here, the road will require 4x4 and high clearance.From here, continue up the road for about 0.5...Read more -
Sequim, Washington
Hike Dungeness Spit
3.511 mi / 130 ft gainPark at a the north side of the Dungeness Spit Recreation Area, in the Refuge parking lot. There is a kiosk at the Refuge where you can pay an entrance fee ($3) and check the Tide Table. Only attempt the hike at low tide or the sand spit becomes narrow and you have to climb over logs.Follow the R...Read more -
Mountlake Terrace, Washington
Kayak Lake Ballinger
4.0Getting Here: Heading North on I5 from Seattle Center, take exit 178 for 236th Street SW and Lakeveiw Dr. Take a left on Lakeview Dr. and follow along for a half a mile before you see the Lake Ballinger Boat Ramp parking area on the left. There is a community park and rental facility on the noir ...Read more -
Granite Falls, Washington
Big Four Ice Caves
4.32.38 mi / 289 ft gainDisclaimer: Hiking into the caves is extremely dangerous as there is potential for the ice to fall. We do not recommend hiking inside of them and if you choose to do so, you're doing it at your own risk. This is a short hike at just 2.3 miles roundtrip with little elevation change. The hike take...Read more