High Divide Trail #630
| Trail Uses |    |
Length | 13 miles one-way |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season of Use | Summer / Fall | Beginning Elevation | 1800 feet (Excelsior Pass Trailhead) |
| Visitor Use | Heavy | Elevation Gain/Loss | +4100 feet / -3700 feet |
| Map(s) | Green Trails: Mt Baker #13, Mt Shuksan #14 |
Level of Difficulty | More Difficult |
Trailhead Access 1 (Excelsior Pass)
From the Glacier Public Service Center, travel east on Mt. Baker Highway 542 for approximately 7 miles. The parking area for the Excelsior Pass Trailhead (elevation 1800 feet) is located on the left hand side of the highway.
Trailhead Access 2 (Welcome Pass)
From the Glacier Public Service Center, travel east on Mt. Baker Highway 542 for approximately 11 miles to Forest Service Road #3060, located between mileposts 45 and 46. Turn left on Road #3060. The parking area is located at the end of the road, about 1.5 miles from the Mt. Baker Highway. The trailhead (elevation 2200 feet) is about 75 feet back down the road from the parking area, which has a minimal stock trailer turnaround.
Description, Attractions & Considerations
The south facing Excelsior Pass and Welcome Pass trails, which access Excelsior Ridge, also known as High Divide, are some of the first in the area to melt out, making this a good early to midsummer hike.
The High Divide Trail starts at the Excelsior Pass Trailhead on the Mount Baker Highway (SR 542) and climbs steadily up a timbered slope, with evidence of old forest fires visible for the first 2 miles. In 4 miles the trail breaks out above timberline and into heavy brush. At 4.5 miles the trail reaches the meadows of Excelsior Pass, with its outstanding views of Mt. Baker and the Nooksack Valley The trail follows the crest of High Divide east from Excelsior Pass to Welcome Pass, offering miles of meadows with supreme views. Alpine wildflowers grow in profusion here in mid to late summer. Autumn brings brilliant color. Though camping is plentiful, plan to carry water, as the ridge is dry once the snow melts. From Welcome Pass the trail takes very steep switchbacks downhill through old growth forest to connect to Forest Road 3060.
Trail #630 enters the Mt. Baker Wilderness. In keeping with wilderness regulations, party size is limited to 12. No fires are allowed.
The trail is open to stock use from August 1 to November 1 and open to llamas all year long.
A Northwest Forest Pass is required for each vehicle parked at the trailhead.