Forum Index > Trail Talk > Camping in Winchester Mountain Lookout or close by
 Reply to topic
Previous :: Next Topic
Author Message
nehiker
Member
Member


Joined: 09 Mar 2003
Posts: 21 | TRs | Pics
Location: Washington
nehiker
Member
PostSat Jul 18, 2020 11:36 am 
To shake off some backpacking rust, I was thinking of backpacking from the trailhead for Tomyhoi / Yellow Aster Butte and camping in or near the Winchester Mountain Lookout (Mount Baker area). I would be taking a dog with me and it would be just for 1 night and during the week. Anyone have any idea how often that lookout is used by campers? Also if it were taken, are there somewhat flat spots I could pitch my tent in that area? The one thing I'd rather not do is set up camp at Twin Lakes as it would feel like I did the backpacking effort just to camp with car campers.

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
altersego
Member
Member


Joined: 22 Jun 2015
Posts: 77 | TRs | Pics
altersego
Member
PostSat Jul 18, 2020 6:47 pm 
We hiked up to Winchester Lookout on a cool, cloudy early evening last August. No one was there when we arrived and we stayed for maybe 20-30 minutes. On the hike out a family was on their way to stay in it. I'd imagine the ideal is to show up in the early evening so you're not dealing with visitors too long. No water up there unless you find some snow. Sorry, it's all I got! Yellow Aster Butte looks like a great place to camp. Tougher hike. We saw a bear on the way up there in mid-September. I think you can camp near some tarns.

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Snowdog
Member
Member


Joined: 21 Jul 2006
Posts: 1027 | TRs | Pics
Location: on (& off) the beaten path
Snowdog
Member
PostMon Jul 20, 2020 10:56 am 
Beware that snow lingers there late and there have been accidents (one of which I witnessed) on the steep upper slope leading to the LO.

'we don't have time for a shortcut'
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
fyodorova
Member
Member


Joined: 29 Apr 2012
Posts: 93 | TRs | Pics
fyodorova
Member
PostMon Jul 20, 2020 2:33 pm 
High Pass nearby has flat spots for camping. There was no water when I was there in late October, but there might be seasonal springs or snowmelt (that said, it's probably very snowy up there still).

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Foist
Sultan of Sweat



Joined: 08 May 2006
Posts: 3974 | TRs | Pics
Location: Back!
Foist
Sultan of Sweat
PostMon Jul 20, 2020 9:36 pm 
I slept in the lookout last year on a Sunday night with my dad. We had the lookout to ourselves. One guy with a dog showed up right at dusk and camped outside the lookout, didn't even ask to come in. Caveats: I would echo the comment that the trail to Winchester will have a steep snow finger until late summer. High Pass also has steep snow that lingers late. Also, I would not want to walk the road from the YAB trailhead -- brutally sunny and rocky and dusty. That said, without a high-clearance car, I would not want to drive it either. You could always set up a tent at Twin Lakes, try for the lookout, and if it's occupied or if the snow is too treacherous, go back down to the lakes. The lakes are quite nice.

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Dr. T
Member
Member


Joined: 03 Aug 2016
Posts: 80 | TRs | Pics
Dr. T
Member
PostSat Jul 25, 2020 6:16 am 
Could camp here, check out the YAB

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
   All times are GMT - 8 Hours
 Reply to topic
Forum Index > Trail Talk > Camping in Winchester Mountain Lookout or close by
  Happy Birthday speyguy, Bandanabraids!
Jump to:   
Search this topic:

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum