Excelsior Ridge

Park: Mt Baker Wilderness Area

10.0 km one way.

Terrain: Intermediate
Approximate Elevations (in meters)
Start: 1280End: 1700
Minimum: 1280Maximum: 1740
Net Gain: 460Cumulative Gain: 460

Canyon Creek Road Trailhead: (180 km from Saanich Hall, 10 km on logging roads, ferry required). Drive to Glacier WA and beyond on WA#542. A short ways beyond the Douglas Fir campground (on the far side of a bridge a couple of km beyond Glacier) turn left onto Canyon Creek Road (#31). Follow this paved one lane road for 23.5 km to the trailhead which is in a small clearcut. (There are a couple of small unpaved sections on the road and the last 8.2km are unpaved). (A $5 parking fee is charged.)

Uses

BackpackEasy to moderate.1.5 hours one way.Best from July thru early October.
Dayhike3 boot (moderate).3 hours one way.Best from July thru early October.

Description

The trail climbs gradually through the forest past a junction with the Boundary Way Trail before dropping briefly to the Damfino Lakes (el. 1380m) - actually two small ponds- and then continues to climb through the forest to open out into meadowland just before reaching Excelsior Pass (el. 1615m, 4 km from the trailhead). Shortly after reaching the pass you come to a junction with trail 670 (right fork) which descends, via steep switchbacks, 1070 m to highway 542. Continuing to your left you soon have the option of either climbing to the summit of Excelsior Mtn (el. 1740m) via a way trail on your left or continuing on the main trail skirting the south side of the mountain. The climb to the summit, while steep in places, is not difficult and the views are outstanding, if you choose this option then descend the east side of the mountain to rejoin the ridge trail.

Continue along the ridge for as long as you are comfortable, preferably stopping before you descend the steep switchbacks at the east end of the ridge (there are a couple of switchbacks along the ridge itself).

Although there are no designated campsites on the trail it is possible to camp at the Damfino Lakes or at other spots on the trail. Shortly after entering the large meadow section there is a clearing on your right which can be used. Also, a couple of hundred meters beyond the crossing of the creek just after the aforementioned campsite there is a way trail off on your right. This leads up to a small bench with excellent campsites. There are small ponds here with water although it is recommended that you take the 5 minute walk back to the stream crossing. There are also good spots for camping along the ridge but water is a problem. Taking the trail below Excelsior Mountain you come to a small flat area. A way trail leads through this and then down to a meadow area that could make a great campsite but it would be a long walk to water. There is a trail off this that we didn"t investigate, which may lead to water.

Features

This trail features flowers, forests, meadows, mountains, natural wonders (Spectacular autumn foliage) and views.

Hazards

Comments

I would recommend this hike over the Excelsior Grand Traverse as the views on the return journey, with the sun in a different position, are as rewarding as the views outgoing.

For backpacking the summit of Excelsior Mtn would make an awesome spot from which to watch the sunset and sunrise.

Water

None along the ridge except possibly some from snowmelt or from Canyon Lake (off trail 625 to the north of Excelsior Pass). Water is available from a stream that is crossed approximately 1km from the ridge. Treat all water by boiling, chemical purification and/or filtering.

Other trails in Mt Baker Wilderness Area

Trail-conditions

View trail condition reports for this trail.