Forum Index > Trip Reports > Winchester Mtn Lookout (Mt Baker area) 07-25-10
 Reply to topic
Previous :: Next Topic
Author Message
Elvis
Shuffl'n



Joined: 09 Jun 2004
Posts: 1804 | TRs | Pics
Location: del Boca Vista
Elvis
Shuffl'n
PostMon Jul 26, 2010 12:30 am 
Put in a no-advance-notice call to Smartboard for a spontaneous trip to the Winchester Lookout, located in the vicinity of Mount Baker. 30 minutes later he pulled up into the driveway and off we went. 10 minutes later we spied a drunk driver almost run off the road three times in less than a mile and almost wipe out an unsuspecting pedestrian. Time out for a call to 9-1-1 before continuing to the trail head without further incident. Weather was spot on. Bugs were just doing fly-by's, but weren't being a nuisance at all. The road was in its usual condition but we made it all the way to Twin Lakes with a Subaru Outback without bottoming out whatsoever. Thank goodness... saved us a lot of road walking in the sun. At the Twin Lakes trail head we encountered about four other vehicles, including a Honda Accord. Snow covers the road at the last corner to the lake, right by the privy if you've been there before. The trail was easy to follow, with a number of short snow crossings where you could see the trail emerge on the other side.
One of the Twin Lakes
One of the Twin Lakes
Twin Lakes Ice
Twin Lakes Ice
Melting Twin Lakes Beauty
Melting Twin Lakes Beauty
Trail Intersection
Trail Intersection
Trail Bliss
Trail Bliss
Snowfield in upper right is the steep snow crossing
Snowfield in upper right is the steep snow crossing
Mount Baker from Winchester LO trail
Mount Baker from Winchester LO trail
Happy Family hikers descending toward the lakes
Happy Family hikers descending toward the lakes
Snack Break with Larrabee Pk in the distance
Snack Break with Larrabee Pk in the distance
Looking down on Twin Lakes from trail to LO
Looking down on Twin Lakes from trail to LO
There were two steep snowfields as we reached the upper end of the switchbacks above the lake. We were able to skirt around the bottom of the first one and then safely crossed the second one with ice axes in hand. The second snowfield ends in a moat that's probably 8 feet deep but it was easy to cross with a little time and caution.
Crossing the final steep snowfield
Crossing the final steep snowfield
Before we knew it we were at the Lookout. Snack Break and Picture Break.
Tomyhoi, Canadian and American Peaks
Tomyhoi, Canadian and American Peaks
Lookout sign and Mt. Baker
Lookout sign and Mt. Baker
Lookout Entry
Lookout Entry
Photos inside the LO
Photos inside the LO
Lookout signage... what is the arrow pointing to?
Lookout signage... what is the arrow pointing to?
Tomyhoi Peak and Lake from Winchester LO
Tomyhoi Peak and Lake from Winchester LO
Winchester Lookout
Winchester Lookout
Snack with a view
Snack with a view
Descent on the trail was uneventful.
Can't beat that scenery!
Can't beat that scenery!
The Lingering Steep Snowfield Crossing
The Lingering Steep Snowfield Crossing
Le Moat
Le Moat
Glissade Tracks
Glissade Tracks
Ursine Etiquette and Guidelines
Ursine Etiquette and Guidelines
Descent on the road was also uneventful, although we were surprised to see a 4WD red truck with a young male driver pulled over by a Law Enforcement SUV while we were still about 2 miles away from Hwy 542. Very unusual in that situation. Fantastic day for a short notice trip. Thanks for joining me Smartboard! ****There is a work party scheduled for the weekend of August 7th, 2010 by the Mount Baker Club. During that weekend the Lookout will not be available for use or overnights.**** Happy Trails! ~E

"Ill habits gather unseen degrees, as brooks make rivers, rivers run to seas." ~John Dryden My Trip List
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Highwalker's Daughter
Member
Member


Joined: 12 Aug 2006
Posts: 1575 | TRs | Pics
Location: Bothell, WA
Highwalker's Daughter
Member
PostMon Jul 26, 2010 3:49 pm 
I haven't been to the lookout since I took my small children up there many summers ago, but we did snowshoe into Twin Lakes in January. It's a lovely area - nice photos and TR.

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
GeoHiker
Rocky Walker



Joined: 26 Feb 2005
Posts: 6033 | TRs | Pics
Location: Off the Deep End
GeoHiker
Rocky Walker
PostTue Jul 27, 2010 4:55 pm 
Thanks for the TR and pics that I missed on Friday when I was up there. Great to see the view from the top and what the LO looks like. I'll have to give it another couple weeks and get back up there. Awesome area!

You call some place paradise, kiss it goodbye......Eagles
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
marta
wildflower maven



Joined: 07 May 2003
Posts: 1761 | TRs | Pics
marta
wildflower maven
PostTue Jul 27, 2010 5:03 pm 
This is one of my favorite Fall hikes. I love to do this about the 3rd week in September when the blueberry hillside is all red. Lots of ash also for color. The hill across usually is a great patchwork of color. I suspect my Honda Civic won't make it. The last time I did it, we took our truck which is currently not in any shape to take out of town. frown.gif But gorgeous pictures. Thanks for showing us what it looks like in the summer.

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Gimpilator
infinity/21M



Joined: 12 Oct 2006
Posts: 1684 | TRs | Pics
Location: Edmonds, WA
Gimpilator
infinity/21M
PostTue Jul 27, 2010 5:52 pm 
I climbed it that day too! But it was mostly at night in the dark. That moat was fun. Nice pics.

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
   All times are GMT - 8 Hours
 Reply to topic
Forum Index > Trip Reports > Winchester Mtn Lookout (Mt Baker area) 07-25-10
  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