What we’re about
Hello and welcome to the Skagit Whatcom Adventure Group (formerly Bellingham Trails and Adventure Group)(and now amalgamated with Skagit Adventure Group and Bellingham/Skagit Hiking Meetup)! We are all about getting outside, having adventures of all kinds, meeting new people, and, most of all, having fun. We are open to anyone with an adventurous spirit. Our vision is to have a variety of different events hosted by a diverse leadership team.
In the past year we’ve led lots of hikes, played in the snow, attended live music events, gone to outdoor-related movies, and, of course, eaten plenty of good food. We hope to see you on one of our adventures soon!
Dues for this group are $5 annually, which covers the fees Meetup charges to host and maintain the website. We have set this price low to keep it affordable to all and we believe it’s a great value for your money.
The fine print:
- If signing-up for an event, please make every effort to attend. We understand that life happens at inopportune times, however no-shows will be documented and three no-shows may result in removal from the group. Please update your RSVP with as much advance notice as possible, even if it’s just an hour before the start. Otherwise, the group can end up waiting for someone at a carpool location or a trail-head (where there's often no cell reception).
- Organizers in this group are not guides, instructors, or medical professionals. You alone are 100% responsible for your own safety and comfort and for the safety of those you bring as guests. We may give you our opinions on whether or not an activity is suitable for you, but the ultimate responsibility lies with you, as we are not experts. Certain activities may require other gear. If you don't know, ask! Someone can likely share advice or ideas.
- Be respectful and have fun. We are a group of fun-loving people who enjoy the outdoors and staying active. We are also a diverse group of all ages, backgrounds, and nationalities, and we believe in treating everyone fairly and equally. We ask that you do the same and we’ll all have a great time.
Upcoming events (3)
See all- Friday hike of Horseshoe Bend & Maple Creek Loop TrailsHorseshoe Bend Trailhead, Glacier, WA
Join us for two easy, low-level hikes up by Mt. Baker: Horseshoe Bend and Maple Creek Loop trails. They total 6.7 miles with 930 feet of elevation gain and have great views, thick forest, and even a waterfall (Maple Falls, natch).
We'll start at Horseshoe Bend Trail and follow the North Fork Nooksack River. This is an out and back trail and we'll take it to its end, for a round trip of 4.2 miles and 530 feet of elevation. The trail starts in a thick rain forest with bright green moss everywhere, and then opens up to bigger views of the Nooksack River. There are a few short, steep sections where the trail narrows, so, if in doubt, bring poles.
After Horseshoe Bend, we'll drive back to Maple Falls and the Maple Creek Park. After a short break for lunch (we'll be next to the store if you need goodies!), we'll walk to the Maple Creek Loop trail (2.5 miles and 400 feet of elevation). There's an optional, sketchy side trail to the Maple Creek falls we can check out and then we'll hike the loop trail, taking a short side trail to a Mt. Baker view.
The Horseshoe Bend trailhead in on Hwy. 542/Mt. Baker Hwy., 1 mile past the Glacier ranger office and directly across the road from the Douglas Fir Campground. We will meet there at 10AM.
Carpooling: If you'd like to carpool, we'll meet at 9AM at the Lowes Home Improvement parking lot, in the corner right by the KFC/A&W restaurant. At 9:15 we'll hit the road and be at the trailhead by 10AM.Notes:
- No parking passes are needed for either trail.
- Well-behaved dogs are allowed, but must be on least the whole time.
- There's no bathroom at the trailhead, but there is one at the Glacier ranger office and at the Maple Falls store.
Housekeeping:
- You must sign-up and be on the “Going” list to participate.
- If you sign-up for this event, out of respect for the group please make every effort to attend.
- We will cancel for high winds or monsoon rains. We will hike sun, rain, snow, or sleet.
- Please practice leave-no-trace. Hope to see you on this hike!
Disclaimer: We are not professional hiking guides or medical professionals. We are volunteers. You alone are 100% responsible for your own comfort and safety. By attending this hike you agree to these terms and do not hold hike organizer(s) liable for injuries and/or medical issues during or after this event.
- Sunday Chanterelle Loop HikeChanterelle trails, Acme, WA
The snow has melted, all the downed trees have been cleared, and the sun will be shining - let's hike!!
The Chanterelle Loop Trail has become one of Whatcom County's best loved trails since it opened. A strenuous hike covering ~11 miles with 2,200 feet of elevation gain and 300 stairs isn't for the faint of heart (or knees) but is worth it for the overlooks and the challenge.
We'll be going up the stairs on the Connector trail this time and will check out the overlooks on the way up and back down. At the very top we'll have a short food break.
Stamina Alert: This is a long, steep hike over all sorts of trail conditions; good shoes and poles are recommended. The pace will be moderate - this isn't a race, after all - but we'll need to keep moving in order to be done before dark.
Notes:
- Well-behaved dogs are welcome on leash; unruly hikers must also be on a leash. :-)
- We'll meet at the Lake Whatcom Park lot - no pass required and bathrooms available.
- Trail info: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report.2023-12-12.6763342285
Disclaimer: We are not professional hiking guides or medical professionals. We are volunteers. You alone are 100% responsible for your own comfort and safety. By attending this hike you agree to these terms and do not hold hike organizer(s) liable for injuries and/or medical issues during or after this event.
- Savanna Woods Live Music at Farmstrong BreweryFarmstrong Brewery, Mount Vernon, WA
Join us at Farmstrong Brewery in Mt. Vernon for a live music night with Savanna Woods! Admission is free, but please support her directly by throwing some cash in her tip jar on stage.
Savanna Woods is a local signer/songwriter who's performed all over the world and was even on The Voice! Her style ranges from folk to rock and her shows have both original songs and covers that everyone knows the words to. https://savannawoodsmusic.com/
Farmstrong Brewery is a family- and dog-friendly joint, low key and not too noisy. Perfect for everyone, and they brew some excellent beers using ingredients sourced from Skagit Valley. Photo says all ages, but I'm not certain this is indeed an all ages event.
Note: This show will be popular and there's no way to reserve seating. She'll be playing from approximately 6pm-8pm. Several of us will go early (5:00-ish) and try to get a table, but there's no guarantee of seats. I recommend arriving early to beat the rush. There's a food truck onsite, Rooted Kitchen, if you want to grab some dinner or snacks.
