Excelsior Point Lookout Site

Just one of many bumps along the long Damfino Ridge, Excelsior Point has the most history. A fire lookout was built here in 1935, and L-5 cab. Panoramic photos taken from the from the roof on September 29th of 1935 show a unchanged view today. The lookout was abandoned in 1968 and little if anything exists today. Excelsior Point can be reached year-round thanks to a trailhead parking area that gets plowed right along side the Mt. Baker Highway. In winter, snowshoers typically cut a trail rather high to treeline area where you can then access if the snow is good for a short push to the summit. Near the summit, expect snowmobiles from Canyon Creek road to be making tracks all over the ridgeline.

According to Dolly Connelly in the 1963 Mountaineer Annual:
I know that Damfino Ridge, the massive upheaval of rock extending from Church Mountain to Tomyhoi Peak, was so named because gold prospectors came upon an old coot hacking into a quartz vein and asked him, “Any gold in these mountains?” “Damfino,” answered the miner, and Damfino is the ridge to this day.

WillhiteWeb.com: Washington Fire Lookouts

Elevation: 5,712 feet
Elevation Gain: 3,926 feet
Distance: 4 miles
Access: Paved

Just follow the trail to the ridge. In summer, there is a split near the top to take the ridge east. The summit can be reached from the ridge east, west or south. In winter, follow the safest route near the summit given conditions.

Just follow the Mt. Baker Highway past Glacier until you see the trailhead on the left, shortly after the signs for Nooksack Falls. In summer, an easier route is from the Canyon Creek Road and Damfino Lakes Trail.

Southwest View in 1935

Southeast View in 1935

Looking south to Mt. Baker

Looking east to Tomyhoi Peak

Looking west to Church Mountain

Looking north, Mt. McGuire (BC) in distant center

Aug 12, 2001 Irene Potter

1952 USGS (1954 edition)

Easiest way to the summit