Blue Mountain
Blue Mountain is among many large blobs in the hills between Sedro Woolley and Bellingham. For a really low elevation summit, Blue Mountain has a surprising amout of prominence, 1,428 feet. Probably best as a winter walk, you can count on recent harvest cuts to open up a few views, if the weather cooperates.
WillhiteWeb.com - Washington Hiking
Access:
From Sedro Woolley, take Highway 9 north to Saxon, just a few miles before Acme. Turn right on Saxon Road, and follow it to the end of the pavement at a fish hatchery and several gated roads. There is parking off to the side in several spots not blocking any gates.
Route:
Walk the gated road uphill, soon passing a road cut where a landslide dropped all the way down to Skookum Creek. Not far beyond, take the first road left. A few minutes later, reach another three way intersection. If the forest isn't cut here, you can cut the switchback and easily climb uphill through nice second growth. Continue up the road following the map as several spur roads exist from all the new logging. At the summit plateau of Blue Mountain, a minor spur cuts left to the highest point area. A minute or two of thrashing through a young plantation is required to find the highest point, at least according to a GPS.
Distance: 5 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,048 feet
Summit Elevation: 2,448 feet
Access: Paved
Photo by Paul K.
Standing on the guessed highpoint
Logging operations
At the gate
The final spur road to the summit
Bailed trip that morning at Mt. Baker Ski Area