Winchester Mountain Lookout
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 Trailhead. In this case, parking is at the Tomyhoi Lake Trailhead, adding 2 miles to the hike.
View Winchester Mountain Trail 685 information.
Alert: The lookout is 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 when conditions allow.
For more information about volunteering or maintaining this facility contact Mt. Baker Hiking Club, PO Box 73, Bellingham WA 98227.
General Information
Toilet facilities at Winchester Lookout may not be available. When toilets are not provided, please pack it out.
The lookout is locked closed 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 when conditions allow.
Open 24 hours/day
A Recreation Pass is required for each vehicle at the trailhead.
The Winchester Lookout is located within the Mt. Baker Wilderness area where wilderness regulations apply.
- Party size is limited to 12 people
- Campfires are prohibited
No fees are required for this site
Address: 810 State Route 20 Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284
Phone: (360) 854-2553
Hours: OPEN: Mon & Tues 8am-4pm, full service (All Interagency Passes, Forest Permits, Maps, NW Forest Passes); Wed-Fri 8am-11:45 pm & 12:30 pm-4pm, limited service (Maps, NW Forest Passes, Interagency Annual Pass Only); CLOSED: Sat & Sun
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 48.95670556
Longitude: -121.641725
Directions
From Glacier, Washington travel east on Mt. Baker Highway SR 542. Twelve miles from the Glacier Public Service Center, turn left on Twin Lakes Road (Forest Service road 3065). The road is located at the east end of the Department of Transportation's Shuksan maintenance facility. After 4.5 miles, reach the Tomyhoi Lake/Yellow Aster Butte Trailhead. The road beyond this point is narrow, with few pullouts, and is not maintained for passenger vehicles. During summer there may be mining truck traffic traveling on the road.
High clearance vehicles can negotiate the remaining two miles to Twin Lakes. Four-wheel drive is not necessary, but helpful. Check with the ranger station for road conditions before heading out. Twin Lakes Trailhead is located 6.5 miles from the highway between the two lakes.
Facility and Amenity Information
Restrooms
Restrooms are not available at this site.
Water
Potable water is not available at this site.
