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Boundary Way

North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
48.9869, -121.9346 Map & Directions
Length
8.2 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
1,458 feet
Highest Point
5,658 feet
Calculated Difficulty About Calculated Difficulty
Moderate/Hard
  • Mountain views
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Summits
  • Fall foliage
  • Ridges/passes

Parking Pass/Entry Fee

Northwest Forest Pass
Saved to My Backpack

Put your navigational skills to the test! This unmaintained trail just off Damfino Lakes trail may be brushy, but if you can find your way to Boundary Way, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views into Canada and the epic North Cascades. Continue reading

Rating
3.20 out of 5

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Hiking Boundary Way

Starting at 4,200 feet of elevation on the Damfino Lakes Trail, you'll gain 400 feet in 0.7 miles to the junction of the Canyon Ridge Trail. Make a left at the junction and hike 0.4 miles to the junction with the Boundary Way Trail at 4,800 feet.

Stay right at this junction and hike 0.1 mile in open terrain. The trail angles left, heading northwest into the forest, climbing gradually into boggy but scenic meadows.

The trail turns northeast and moderately gains elevation along the south side of a steep slope reaching a ridge at 5,300 feet, where you will enjoy fabulous scenery in every direction.

Slides often can obliterate sections of trail, and this trail in particular sees very little maintenance. The way continues among abundant avalanche lilies northeast for about two miles, losing elevation to 4,400 feet, just 0.7 miles short of the Canadian border.

WTA Pro Tip: Rather than finishing in a somewhat nondescript location, try climbing in a westerly direction from the first views, to the high point on the ridgeline. This gives you a commanding view of the spectacular mountains of British Columbia and the North Cascades

To the north, look across the deep, broad valley of Tomyhoi Creek into Canada. Looking south reveals Mounts Baker and Shuksan, Bearpaw Mountain and Church Mountain.

WTA worked here in 2021!

Hike Description Written by
Multiple authors contributed to this report, WTA Community

Boundary Way

Map & Directions

Trailhead
Co-ordinates: 48.9869, -121.9346 Open in Google Maps

Before You Go

See weather forecast

Parking Pass/Entry Fee

Northwest Forest Pass

WTA Pro Tip: Save a copy of our directions before you leave! App-based driving directions aren't always accurate and data connections may be unreliable as you drive to the trailhead.

Getting There

Travel east on The Mount Baker Highway 542 approximately two miles from the Glacier Public Service Center to Canyon Creek Road 31. Turn left onto Road 31 and continue 15 miles to the trailhead. The trailhead and parking area are located at the end of the road. There is room for approximately 15 cars.

More Hike Details

Trailhead

North Cascades > Mount Baker Area

Boundary Way (#688)

Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Mount Baker Ranger District

Guidebooks & Maps

Green Trails No 13 Mt. Baker

USGS Bearpaw Mountain

USFS Mt. Baker Ranger District and Mt. Baker Wilderness

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Boundary Way

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