Church Mountain
A day hike or scramble of 8.4 miles with 3,700 feet of gain depending on the conditions. The trail goes up through steep wildflower meadows, eventually following a ridge to an old lookout site with amazing views of Mount Baker and the North Cascades. Fossil Mountain can also be scrambled from the Church Mountain Trail.
getting there
Drive SR-542 to the Glacier Public Service Center (Ranger Station) It's 34 miles from Bellingham. Continue east on DR 542 for 5.4 miles and then turn left onto Forest Road 3040 (East Church Mountain Road). Follow it 2.7 miles to the trailhead (2,350 ft).
On the Trail
Church Mountain (6,000 ft)
Hike the Church Mountain Trail 4.2 miles to its summit.
Approach & Ascent
Fossil Mountain (5,740 ft)
Fossil Mountain can be approached from either the Church Mountain Trail or the Excelsior Pass Trail. Either one delivers an incredible ridge walk through wildflowers with Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan seemingly close enough to touch. Consider making a loop trip with a short car shuttle by going up one trail and down the other.
- Suitable Activities: Backpacking, Day Hiking, Scrambling
- Weather: View weather forecast
- Difficulty: Strenuous 4, Technical 5, Moderate/Strenuous
- Length: 10.0 mi
- Elevation Gain: 4,300 ft
- 6,315 ft
-
Land Manager:
Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Mount Baker Wilderness, Mount Baker Ranger District (MBSNF)
- Parking Permit Required: Northwest Forest Pass
- Recommended Party Size: 8
- Maximum Party Size: 12
- Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12
- USGS Glacier
- USGS Bearpaw Mtn
Upcoming Activities
There are no activities scheduled at this location.
This is a list of titles that represent the variations of trips you can take at this route/place. This includes side trips, extensions and peak combinations. Not seeing a title that fits your trip? Log in and send us updates, images, or resources.
- Fossil Mountain
- Fossil & Church Mountains
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