Page Type:
|
Mountain/Rock |
|---|---|
Lat/Lon:
|
48.73589°N / 122.48107°W |
County:
|
Whatcom |
Activities:
|
Hiking |
Season:
|
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter |
|
Elevation:
|
620 ft / 189 m |
|
Overview
Sehome Hill from downtown Bellingham
 Looking toward Mount Baker from the Observation Tower |  Victoria Island from the Observation Tower |
The official summit of Sehome Hill is not the most popular part of the park and is often bypass by most non-peakbaggers. There area is a brushy place located just north of the parking area in the Arboretum. It is a 100 feet in elevation and around a tenth mile round-trip from the parking area located just south of the famous tunnel. Officially it is located just off the Tunnel Ridge Trail. There is nothing here to keep one here for more that a minute unless views of a cell phone tower in the woods or views of bushes thrill you. There is one set of rocks that the trail travels through just south of Sehome Hill that is somewhat interesting but that is it.
 BearQueen on the true summit |  BearQueen modeling on the rock near the true summit |
One could also walk up the Tower Ridge Trail for the other sub-summit of Sehome Hill located just north of the famous tunnel but from what I saw that was clearly lower. On the north side of this ridge lies the famous wooden observation tower. Which overlooks to the north Mount Baker and the Twins and to the west the San Juan Islands and Vancouver Island. It should be noted that this view is becoming rapidly overgrown and in the next ten to fifteen years it will not have anymore views unless modifications are done.
The twins from the Observation Tower
Getting There
VIA THE SEHOME ARBORETUM: From I-5 get off on the Samish Way exit and head west for a hundred feet or so. Make a left onto the Bill McDonald Parkway. Stay on the road for 3/4 miles until you reach the Arboretum Drive (25th Streer). Make a right and either park in the immediate parking are for access to trails or take the road all the way up to end which is very close to the true summit of Sehome Hill.
Route
The tunnel near the summit
Map of the Sehome Hill Arboretum
Red Tape
The park has specific hours of when to enter or not. Typically they are dawn to 11 but always the City of Bellingham Sehome Hill Page just to make sure. There is no fee at the trailhead.When to Climb
 Fall colors are coming out |  Fall colors |
This park is open all year round. The road to the Arboretum near the summit is open though at specific times. You can still walk up the road if it is closed though. This park is popular anytime of the year and in almost any weather condition so don't expect peace or serenity when you are at this park. Sunset are classic from the Observation Tower though the view is now fading fast up at the top.