September 29, 2007  Email for details of the September 29 hike. Recent Photos
	Bellingham Herald story on 1st Annual Gary Haufle Hike to the L.O. Read about a father and daughter, Mike Hamrick (Portland, OR) and Ashley J. Hamrick (Long Beach, CA), who stayed in the L.O. for three days and found more than they were looking for in August, 2007.  The Mount Baker Club restored the Winchester Fire Lookout in 1982.  Gary Haufle led the restoration, along with many other members of the Mount Baker Club.  The L.O. was scheduled for demolition because of liability to the U.S. Forest Service.  It is now on the registry of historical places. Wide Angle View Looking Over the Canadian Cascades The L.O. is always open for individuals who want to stay overnight.  There are cots, propane, and a few cooking utensils.  If you want, feel free to take "supplies" up and donate them to the club. Bring your own water and sleeping bags.  The L.O. does not take reservations and is mostly visited during the months July-September because of snow.  Elevation Gain: 1,300 ft. L.O. Elevation: 6,521 ft. Center for Pacific Northwest Studies Winchester Fire Lookout Restoration; Led by Gary Haufle, 1982

Gary Haufle in red hat and plaid shirt after restoration.

The Mount Baker Club would like to extend a sincere thank you to the following folks for their thoughtful donations to the Winchester Lookout.

Supplies - Mike Hamrick, Portland, OR
Supplies - Ashley Hamrick, Long Beach, CA
Chama Archimede, Deming, WA
Linda Welch, Bellingham, WA
June Steen, Anacortes, WA
Stephanie A. Smith, Woodinville, WA
Steve and Linda Shiels, Pacific City, OR
Denis Goodwin, Enumclaw, WA
Ulrich G. Knorr, Salt Lake City, UT
Jason C. Fortner, Bellingham, WA

Winchester Fire Lookout 2007
1st Annual Gary Haufle Hike

Winchester Fire Lookout 2006

Winchester Fire Lookout 2005

Winchester Fire Lookout 2004

Winchester Fire Lookout 2003

Winchester Fire Lookout 2002

Jack Kerouac spent 63 days during the summer of 1956 as a fire lookout on Desolation Peak, in North Cascades National Park. He wrote about his experiences in the books "The Dharma Bums" and "Desolation Angels".

Join us for this day hike or overnighter to the historical Winchester Fire Lookout.  The Winchester Lookout is one of the few remaining fire lookouts in the State of Washington.  Although no longer used by the Forest Service as a fire lookout, it still offers one of the most spectacular 360 degree views of Mt. Baker and the Northern Cascades anywhere. 

Day trippers are welcome.  Overnighters should bring gear for sleeping and the 10 Essentials.  Please Email us at Info@MountBakerClub.org to verify your participation to this historical destination.

Letters from Great Folks!

9-29-07
To Mt. Baker Hiking Club~
Hello!  Here's a small donation to put towards the maintenance of the lookout on Winchester Mt.  We were able to spend a night up there (9/17) and had a wonderful time.  The views are amazing and it was just so neat to be in a little house on top of a mountain. 

Thank you so much renovating + maintaining the lookout.  It feels like a step into the past being up there + it's great you have preserved a piece of our local history.  It's so nice that it is open to the public.  We really appreciate your hard work + efforts.  Happy Fall!
Sincerely, Chama Archimede and William Baroch

Mt. Baker Club: Please put this check into the Winchester Lookout Fund in memory of Gary Haufle who has done so much for the club-serving as President, finding and leading trails, organizing backpacks, take care of the inventory, instigating the club to save and rebuild the Winchester Lookout and to keep maintaining it. We have lost a faithful servant. Carl & Ruth Hoth

Dear Friends: Jim joined the Mt. Baker Club in 1946 and I joined in 1951 so we were glad to welcome Gary as a young teenager willing to hike with all ages. This donation comes with love and respect from the O'Brien clan: Jim, Pat, Bell, Maura, Kathleen. As a member of the club from my first year at Western, I was very happy when Gary joined the hiking club in 1961. He added a new enthusiasm to the club and soon became one of the regular hikers and one of the leaders, full of ideas for walks and a friend of all the members. Jim O'Brien

January 17, 2007 - Hi Folks! My son, Aidan, and I enjoyed a stay at the Winchester Mountain Lookout last August. I don't know if my 8-year-old completely appreciated it, but it was one of the coolest things I've ever done. Thank you so much for doing all the work you do to keep this place available. I packed an envelope in my pack with the plan to drop you a donation, then forgot. I just found the envelope (all sealed shut and soiled) last week when I had the pack out. Sooo, here's a little donation. Thanks again. Next time we're heading up, I'll get in touch and see if there's anything you're in need of up there.
We'll bring it! Todd (& Aidan) Cowles

Photos supplied by Mount Baker Club member David Inscho and Diane Smith and her friend. Click Here for great shots of Winchester Lookout