Elbow Lake - Bell Pass - Ridley Creek Loop

Dogs Unknown

Features Views

This is a great loop on the side of Mount Baker and the mountains to the southwest.

At the time of writing (Aug 2022), the bridge was out at the river crossings at the beginning and the end. If flow is low enough, either may be ford-able (is that a word?). Otherwise, heading out there was a tree across the river 100 yards downstream and on the Ridley Creek Trail there was a tree across the river maybe 100 feet upstream.

The description is largely in the name. You'll start and head up the Elbow Lake trail. You may have to drive past where it is indicated on TRP, but the TH will be obvious. Cross the river (hopefully there is a bridge back by the time you head out there... see "Need to Know") and follow the trail as it gradually climbs toward Elbow Lake.

Past the lake, keep climbing and eventually you'll get to Bell Pass Trail. This is a well-maintained and marked trail (there were crews out there when I went through). This will climb to an opening with wonderful views (if the clouds are agreeable) and a place to rest and eat all the snacks (it's why we run, right?).

From there, you drop down Ridley Creek Trail (finding it might be a little challenging in the meadow. Just use your Hiking Project mobile app)and drop down this trail back to the beginning.