Winchester Mountain Lookout
Facility · Washington ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Mt. Baker National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 6,506 ft
- Elevation
Enjoy views of the Northern Picket Range and Canadian Peaks from Winchester Mountain Lookout.
It was built in 1935 and is maintained by Mt. Baker Hiking Club volunteers.
Steep snowfields on the Winchester Mountain Trail usually require an ice axe well into July. Cross these steep snow slopes with caution.
The Twin Lakes Road may not be drivable to the Winchester Mountain Trailhead. In this case, parking is at the Tomyhoi Lake Trailhead, adding 2 miles to the hike.
NOTE: Starting November 2017, the lookout will be locked and not open to public use from November through May. Winter visitors will not be able to access the inside of the lookout or use it as a shelter. The lookout will reopen for visitation in June, or when conditions allow.
For more information about volunteering or maintaining this facility contact Mt. Baker Hiking Club, PO Box 73, Bellingham WA 98227.
Winchester Mountain Trail #685
Getting there
Mt. Baker Highway (State Route 542), Twin Lakes Road #3065 (N Fork Nooksack area), Trail #685 - Hiker Only
48.95656, -121.64298 · 48°57'23.6"N 121°38'34.7"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 11.1 | 7.8 | 9.3 | 6.1 | 4.2 | 3.5 | 1.9 | 2.2 | 4.1 | 8.3 | 12.9 | 11.4 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 9 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Member photos
Common questions about Winchester Mountain Lookout
- Can you reserve a site at Winchester Mountain Lookout?
- No. Winchester Mountain Lookout is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.
Camping near Winchester Mountain Lookout
- Silver Fir Campground 4.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Excelsior Group Camp 8.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Douglas Fir Campground 12.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Shannon Creek Campground 15.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Park Creek Campground 15.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Swift Creek Campground 15.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Panorama Point Campground 16.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Boulder Creek Campground 16.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Park Glacier Climbing Route 7.9 mi · Facility
- Mt. Baker Summit - Climbing 14.8 mi · Facility
- Mt. Baker Highway (SR 542) 15 mi · Facility
- Coleman Glacier Climbing Route 15.7 mi · Facility
Contact
- Info Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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