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 (1)
See all- Thurday hike of Thunder Knob & Thunder CreekColonial Creek Campground, Newhalem, WA
The snows are melting, which means it's time to start hiking deeper into the foothills. The Newhalem area has been snow-free for a while, so let's hike some trails near Diablo Lake: Thunder Knob and Thunder Creek.
- Thunder Knob is a 3.6 mile, 650 foot elevation gain out and back trail that crosses Colonial Creek and heads up a hill to a great overlook of Diablo Lake and the surrounding mountains.
- Thunder Creek Trail follows Thunder Creek (well, duh!) away from the lake and heads deep into the Cascades. We'll hike about 5 miles out and back (10 miles total), enjoying the fast running stream and thick forests.
The weather is looking GREAT for Thursday and this area is an arid zone, so hats and sunscreen are recommended (ask me how I know).
Stamina alert: The hike is about 10.6 miles total, with about 1,200 feet elevation gain. There's a slightly dodgy stream crossing and some rocky sections that might require hiking poles, otherwise the trails are in good shape.
For more trail info, click here Thunder Knob and here Thunder Creek.
No parking pass is required. There are bathrooms at the Colonial Creek Campground where both hikes start. Dogs are welcome, but they must stay on leash.
Driving and carpooling: The trailhead is 2 hours from Bellingham and 1.5 hours from Sedro Woolley, and I would like to carpool.
- Bellingham: we'll meet at the Lake Samish Park & Ride @ 8:15AM and will leave @ 8:30 (I-5 exit 246, Google map)
- Sedro Woolley: we'll meet at the W Ferry St Parking lot @ 8:50 and will leave at 9:00AM (Google map)
- Trailhead: if you're meeting us at the trailhead @ 10:30AM, use Colonial Creek Campground in your navigation app.
- Please expect to get back to town around 6:00 - 7:00 PM.
Housekeeping:
- We will cancel for high winds or heavy monsoon rains but we will hike otherwise.
- 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 and those on the wait list please make every effort to attend.
- Please practice leave-no-trace.
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.
