Skyline Divide

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Skyline Divide is a beautiful open ridgetop hike that offers non-stop breathtaking views in all directions, but as with most trails in the region, those views need to be earned. With the current road washout, you can't even get here without a 10-mile approach hike or bike ride. Once on the trail, you must ascend about 1,000 vertical feet to your first views above the treeline, then you have the option to continue much farther along the panoramic ridgeline with a lot more ups and downs.

$5 per day fee to park at the Skyline Divide Trailhead. Purchase pass at the 24-hour kiosk at the ranger station in Glacier, or display your Interagency or National Forest pass in the windshield of your vehicle. There is a USFS-style outhouse at the trailhead. However, currently because of the road washout the access road is not open to cars. The only way to access the trail is by walking/riding a bike 10 miles up the access road (about 3000') feet of gain to the trailhead.

The trail rises quickly through the forest for the first 1.6 miles, switchbacking relentlessly through the trees. After entering the Mt. Baker Wilderness, the trees begin to thin; a tenth of a mile later, top the ridgeline and enjoy stunning views toward Mt. Baker. This is where most visitors turn around. For views of the Canadian Cascades (not included in this trail), turn left along the ridgeline.

To continue farther along Skyline Divide, turn right toward Mt. Baker. The ridgeline undulates gently as the trail wanders through alpine meadows and wildflowers in season. The trail often goes over as well as around the humps on the ridgeline; either trail is fine, but the trails that skirt the humps are easier to navigate. At 3.7 miles from the trailhead, a trail will descend off the ridgeline; turn right to stay on the ridgeline and continue along Skyline Divide.

The views never cease to become more jaw-dropping the closer you work your way toward Mt. Baker. Mt. Shuksan is also apparent to the left, and the Canadian Cascades are lovely to the north. About 4 miles from the trailhead, the trail becomes steeper to ascend a gravelly hill. Keep running another 0.8 miles to ascend a high point and absolutely spectacular views of Mt. Baker. Continue another half mile along the ridgeline to views of Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan, or even further as weather and time allows.

For those even more adventurous and willing to go off-route and do some scrambling, Hadley Peak is accessed via the main ridgeline. Continue along the ridgeline and you'll see Hadley Peak in the distance. There will be some easy class 2-3 scrambling involved to access the approach as well as the summit of Hadley.