True summit far left. Photo courtesy of member Brian Jenkins

Standing just a 40 minute drive away from Bellingham, Church Mountain looms vertically above highway 542. The trail is a classic North Cascades day hike on a clear summer day. In winter the mountain offers a more challenging and seemingly remote wilderness experience. The bell shaped summit block offers 360 degree views dominated by Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan. Whether you're here swatting misquitos or making fresh tracks with your ski's Church Mountain is worth a visit.

The Southern portion of the mountain is composed of Chilliwack Group volcanics on top of Nooksack Group Strata. Rock is reasonably firm and because of its fractured nature tends to be "juggy". Given its Southern exposure, Church Mt. melts out early (usually by mid-June). The mountain also has excellent winter access due to the low elevation of the trailhead.

The climb is almost entirely on trail except for a short scramble section to the summit. The scramble section is mostly Class 3 with a few class 4 moves (maybe low 5th if wet). More technical variations are possible.

Church Mountain is a great place to see wildflowers. Get here just after the snow melts out and you'll find fields of Avalanche lilly. Look for the famed Calypso Orchid along the side of the trail. Columbine, Lupine, Heather, Paintbrush, Purple Aster, Heliotrope, & Monkey Flower are all common here. Marmots whistle and goats scramble here, but so do misquitos and flies.

First ascent by W.H. Garrett, John Lynch, W.H. Radcliffe, J.T. Shaw, Richard L. Smith and J.T Shaw in June 1891. First winter ascent by Heinz Arens and Hermann F. Ulrichs in March 1930.

Summer Route:

Rountrip 10 miles
Elevation gain 3,900ft
High Point 6,315
Short section of class 3 rock on summit pyramid

Start at the Chuch Mountain Trailhead (2,400ft)
Follow the wooded trail up many switchbacks until you reach high alpine meadows (4,900ft)
Continue West up the left side of the meadow (on trail) to a rocky peak and former lookout site (6,000ft)
From here there is a faint scrambling trail (class 3, can be loose in spots) that leads West to the summit (6,315ft)

**Winter route info now in route section**

Getting There

Take exit 255, Sunset-Mt. Baker Hwy, off I-5
Travel East 31 miles to the town of Glacier
From the Glacier Public Service Center, travel east on Mt. Baker Highway 542 for 5.2 miles
Turn LEFT on Forest Service Road #3040 (Church Mountain Road)
Follow Road #3040 for approximately 2.5 miles to the end

The trailhead and parking area are located at the end of the road.

***Due to the low elevation and short distance of the road, Church Mountain is one of the most accessible mountains in the area in winter.***

Always check Current Road Status

Red Tape

A Northwest Forest Pass is required for each vehicle parked at the Church Mt. trailhead $5 per day or $30 for an annual pass.

Where to get PARKING PASSES:

SHELL GAS STATION: in Maple Falls, is on the right (heading East). They make good pretzels too. ---NO GASOLINE AVAILABLE BEYOND THIS POINT!!!--- no gas between Maple Falls and Deming (heading West).

GLACIER PUBLIC RANGER STATION: (360) 599-2714

Closed for the season after Oct. 11

Bellingham REI: (360) 647-8955
400 36th St Bellingham. Take a left off exit 252 (WWU-Bill McDonald Parkway), another left, it's in the Haggen lot.

When To Climb

All year long.

Church mountain melts out early

Excellent winter access! trailhead elevation is 2,400ft and the road is only 2.5m long.

Church Mountain is beautiful in both summer and winter. In summer you'll find an abundance of wildflowers. In winter you'll find crystal clear views of massive peaks.

Camping

Camping is allowed on Church Mountain. No fires.
Campsites are available in the meadow once you break out of the trees. Please use existing campsites.

Mountain Conditions

Check Snow Level
Check Avalanche Report South, East, and Northeast Aspects
Check Weather Forecast
...More Info
Current Road Status

Remember that these are general warnings and forecast, always use good judgement and retreat if necessary.

Necessary Gear

Winter Gear List:

Ice Axe
Plastic or Leather Mountaineering Boots
Snowshoes or Skis
Shovel, Beacon, Probe
late season? hard snow? Crampons

Summer Gear:

Bug Spray!!!

External Links

National Weather Service's Surface Observation Map
This hyperlnk leads to a National Weather Service map of all surface observation stations in Washington State. Run your cursor over the Mt. Baker area to get an idea about the weather at Church Mountain.
Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center
Run your cursor over the interactive map of Washington State to learn about the weather and avalanche conditions at Mt. Baker (close to Church Mountain).

Images



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