Winchester Lookout
Closed — Locked and closed from November through May. Winter visitors cannot access the inside of the lookout or use it as shelter. Reopens in June when conditions allow.
Alcohol Prohibitions
This Order describes acts that are prohibited upon lands, roads and trails within the National Forest System administered by the Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region in regards to alcoholic beverages.
Aquatic Invasive Species
This Order prohibits 1) possessing, storing, or transporting any aquatic invasive animal species AND 2) prohibits possessing, storing, or transporting any aquatic or riparian invasive plant species - on National Forest System lands in the Pacific Northwest Region as specified in the Order.
Restrictions on Use of Forage and Mulch Products
This Order prohibits unloading, storing, or using any straw, hay, grain, seed, or other forage or mulch products that are not state-certified weed free on the National Forest System lands, roads or trails in any Closure Area as specific in the Order.
Mountain Loop Highway Closed Due to Landslide
A landslide is blocking the Mountain Loop Highway at milepost 37.5, about 15.5 miles south of Darrington. There is no access to Forest Service Road 49 and N. Fork Sauk and Sloan Creek trails.
Hazardous Conditions likely across Forest
Update December 15th, 2025Hazard Alert: National Forest Roads &Trails
Mountain Loop Highway and Mt. Pilchuck Rd Closed for Winter!
A 14-mile section of the Mountain Loop Highway is closed to vehicles due to snow and road conditions between the Deer Creek and Bedal gates.
Franklin Falls Sno-Park Closed this Winter
The Franklin Falls Sno-Park will not operate this winter, and the Denny Creek Road (Forest Service Road 58) will be closed to motorized traffic. The Denny Creek Road and parking lot at Franklin Falls will not be plowed.
Mountain Loop Highway closed for the winter season from Deer Creek to Bedal Campground
The Mountain Loop Highway on Darrington Ranger District is now closed to motor vehicles for the winter season from Deer Creek to Bedal Campground. Timing of re-opening in the spring depends on weather but typically occurs in mid-May.
Tupso Pass Road (FSR 41) Work
Tupso Pass Road (FSR 41) work has been completed. The road is open and passable to the Canyon Creek Bridge at milepost 8.5.
Fairfax Bridge Permanently Closed
The Fairfax Bridge on State Highway 165 (milepost 11.5) across the Carbon River has been permanently closed by Washington Department of Transportation (DOT) due to safety concerns.
FSR 23 and FSR 27 Closure Order
This alert is to announce the closures of Forest System Road #23 (White Chuck Road) from milepost 3.7 to its terminus with Forest System Road #27 (Rat Trap Pass Road) and Forest System Road #27 (Rat Trap Pass Road) from milepost 4 to its terminus with Forest System Road #23 (White Chuck Road).&nb
Middle Fork Camping Closure
A dispersed camping closure along part of Forest Road 56 and Forest Road 5640 went into effect June 1st. Attached is the closure order and map. The decision to close dispersed camping stems from the 2017 Wild and Scenic River designation of the Middle Fork River.
Camping Restrictions
Camping for a total of 28 days, per calendar year, on National Forest System lands outside of a developed campground is prohibited. [36 CFR § 261.58(a)]
Alcohol Prohibitions
Possessing a beverage, which is defined as an alcoholic beverage by State law, by anyperson under 21 years of age is prohibited. 36 CFR § 261.58(bb)Providing or selling a beverage, which is defined as an alcoholic beverage by State law, to
Entire Forest Under Food Storage Order
The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest has a food storage order in effect across the entire Forest. This order requires visitors to the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (MBSNF) to store food items in a “bear resistant manner” and to properly dispose of wildlife attractants.
About
Winchester Mountain Lookout is a historic fire lookout perched at 6,521 feet in the Mount Baker Wilderness, offering some of the most spectacular panoramic views in the North Cascades. Built in 1935, the lookout was scheduled for demolition in the early 1980s before being saved and restored by the Mount Baker Hiking Club, whose volunteers continue to maintain it today. The lookout is reached via Winchester Mountain Trail #685, a relatively short but steep 3.5-mile hike that climbs through alpine meadows and wildflower-filled slopes. Hikers should be prepared for steep snowfields that often linger well into July, requiring ice axes and experience traveling on snow. The Twin Lakes Road may not be drivable to the Winchester Mountain Trailhead early in the season, requiring parking at the Tomyhoi Lake Trailhead and adding 2 miles to the hike. From the lookout, visitors are rewarded with commanding 360-degree views of the Northern Picket Range, Mount Baker, Mount Shuksan, Mount Larrabee, and peaks extending into Canada. The lookout is available for overnight use on a first-come, first-served basis during the summer season, providing a unique backcountry shelter experience for those who arrive early enough to claim it.
Directions
Take Mt. Baker Highway (State Route 542) to Twin Lakes Road #3065 in the North Fork Nooksack area. Access the lookout from Winchester Mountain Trail #685, a hiker-only trail. The Twin Lakes Road may not be drivable to the trailhead early in the season, requiring parking at the Tomyhoi Lake Trailhead.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | No |
| Toilets | No |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| Winchester Mountain Lookout | |
| View on Recreation.gov |
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