| Winchester Mountain Mountain/Rock |
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| Winchester Mountain   | 
| Page Type: Mountain/Rock Location: Washington, United States, North America Lat/Lon: 48.95640°N / 121.643°W Elevation: 6521 ft / 1988 m | Page By: Duseks Created/Edited: May 30, 2005 / Jan 7, 2007 Object ID: 154144 Hits: 2380 Loading... Page Score: 88.08% - 8 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
OverviewWinchester mountain is an easy and scenic summit. One of the last fire-lookouts in the region stands on the summit. Views are spectacular including Larrabee, The Border Peaks, Baker, Shuksan, Goat, Sefrit, Tomyhoi and more. This is also one of the easiest hikes on Hwy 542 gaining only 1,300ft from twin lakes*. Few places offer such a fulfilling alpine experience with such little effort.
*A high clearance vehicle is required to drive Twin Lakes Road beyond the Yellow Aster Butte Trailhead. Otherwise park at the Yellow Aster Butte Treailhead and hike 2 miles and 1,600ft to Twin Lakes (5,200ft).
Summer:
Due to the long approach on the road* this trail is thankfully a iittle less popular than it would otherwise be. The hike is very family friendly since you can camp at twin lakes after you've braved the road section, then make an easy day-hike to the summit the next day. Dogs should have no problem with this route.
Winter:
This is a popular snowshoe trail in winter. You may want to bring an axe but you can leave the crampons at home except for late season. Given the Southeast exposure always check the avalanche forecast here. Check Snow Level Definitely bring ski or trekking poles to keep your balance. The crux of the climb may be road conditions, which will also dictate the length of the approach. Unfortunately the forest service doesn't post road conditions during winter so you'll have to gamble. This is a good objective in winter since you can skin or snowshoe an easy to follow road to 5,200ft. If you want to log less road miles consider Church Mountain (th elevation 2,400ft, 2 miles of road) or Excelsior Peak (th is right of Hwy 542 which is plowed all winter).
Skiing:
Winchester Mountain being can be skied off both the Northwest and Southeast sides. In either case advanced skiing ability and backcountry safety and diagnostic skills are required. Cliff bands and avalanche hazards exist on every descent route, a fall could be potentially serious.
The Northeast face is most feasible because it brings you back to the road (and your car if you made it to twin lakes) and offers the most gentle route down. The South and West faces offer good skiing but require either climbing/skinning back the way you came -or- hiking over Gold Run Pass (~1,700ft elevation gain) then down to the Yellow Aster Butte trailhead.
You can find trip reports here. Depending on snowpack Winchester can be skied as early as October and as late as June. Check Snow Level
Getting There- Take exit 255 (Sunset/Mt Baker hwy) drive east 31 miles to the town of Glacier
- Drive another 13.5 miles and take a left on forest service road 3065 (Twin Lakes Road)
- Drive 5 miles (stay left at all forks) park at the Yellow Aster Butte/Lake Tomyhoi trailhead
- ***high clearance vehicles may be able to drive beyond this point but it gets very rough park at Twin Lakes Trailhead
Please be respectful and find a good place to park that allows other drivers further access and the ability to turn around. If driving beyond the Yellow Aster Butte trailhead remember that the Twin Lakes trailhead is at 5,200ft so check your snow levels to see if your car can make it.
Always Check Current Road Status
Red TapeA Northwest Forest Pass is required for each vehicle parked at either the TWIN LAKES or Yellow Aster Butte trailhead, $5 Dollars 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
On the right (heading East) as you leave the town of Glacier.
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 ClimbThis hike is great all year. In Summer or Autumn it's a trail hike and in Spring or Winter its a snow climb. In Spring be very carefull crossing drainages on snowbridges and watch for holes created by melt-out around small trees and rocks. Also be carefull as wet slides and sluffs can occur here. Use common sense, retreat if conditions don't permit safe travel.
CampingCampsites are available at Twin Lakes. If your car can make it you can car-camp here. There are also campsites available at High Pass. Please use only established campsites! The Calypso orchid grows here, it is an endangered plant, if you were to trample or camp over one the forest service will give you a very hefty fine if they catch you.
Mountain ConditionsCheck Snow Level
Check Avalanche Report
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 GearWinter:
Ice Axe and Poles
Winter/Mountaineering boots and gaiters
Snowshoes/skis (perhaps crampons if you're going to go for larabee, remember Larrabee in winter generates a lot of avalanches)
Extra clothing
Summer:
Bug Spray!
General hiking/camping gear.
P.S.Haven't been there with my camera yet. Please add your own photos for now. I will be adding more of my own ASAP. Thanks for you contributions and comments
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