Join Reconnect Earth in Summer 2022 for an experience you’ll never forget: hiking, camping, and exploring social and environmental issues in Washington’s North Cascades mountain range. On one of our 3-9 day backpacking trips you might sleep in a subalpine meadow, hike through groves of ancient old-growth trees, climb to the base of an alpine glacier, or stand on a peak and look out at forest and mountains stretching away into the distance. Along the way we’ll discuss important topics like Indigenous land rights, colonization, impacts of climate change, and how make a difference on issues you care about.

We’ve extended the deadline to apply to join this summer’s trips. Apply here!

Reconnect Earth trips are designed to be as accessible as possible, regardless of your income or level of experience in the outdoors. All of our trips have scholarship options, including scholarships covering up to about 80% of the tuition cost depending on the trip. And whether you’re a seasoned backpacker or have never slept in a tent before, we’ll make sure you have the support you need to thrive in the backcountry. Read on learn more about each experience:

Mountain Glaciers and Meadows: July 5-8th

Spend four days exploring beautiful subalpine meadows and glacier-carved valleys in the National Recreation Area on Mount Baker, also known by its Indigenous name, Kulshan. We’ll hike to Park Butte Fire Lookout and the base of Easton Glacier, pausing along the way to admire fields of flowers, look for pikas and marmots among the boulders, and (weather permitting) take in amazing views. Our facilitated discussions will focus on climate change impacts and how to harness your power as an agent of positive change. This trip is a great choice for those seeking a shorter backpacking experience in a truly beautiful place. Tuition: $380

Forests and Peaks of North Cascades National Park: July 15-20th

On this 6-day trip we’ll follow the Bridge Creek Trail into the heart of North Cascades National Park, through forests of ancient cedars and Douglas-firs and valleys nestled between the towering peaks. A highlight midway through the trip will be a day hike to the top of Goodee Ridge, which on clear days offers stunning views of the surrounding mountain range. If we’re especially lucky, we might see some of the wildlife like black bears or martens (tree-dwelling members of the weasel family) who frequent this part of the park. Discussions we have along the way will focus on forest ecology and caring for more-than-human landscapes. Tuition: $510

Ready to join us in the mountains? Apply here ( you’ll specify which trip you want to participate in on the form)

Mount Baker Wilderness Immersion: August 2nd-10th

Experience the mountain’s diverse natural environments, from subalpine meadows to giant glaciers to lush old-growth forests. We’ll spend the first part of the trip in Mount Baker National Recreation Area, visiting nearby viewpoints like Park Butte Lookout and Easton Glacier. Then, we will descend into the more primitive Mount Baker Wilderness and camp surrounded by ancient trees next to remote Elbow Lake.

During our time in the backcountry we’ll have plenty of time to delve into topics like Indigenous sovereignty and colonization, climate change, how to make a difference on issues you care about, and exploring our own relationships with the more-than-human environment. This 9-day trip is an ideal choice if you want to be truly immersed in a backcountry setting and perhaps stretch your edge a bit (though no prior backpacking experience is required). Tuition: $675

Horseshoe Basin Adventure: August 19th-21st

On this short, 2-night backpacking trip be prepared to experience some of the most stunning landscapes in a popular part of North Cascades National Park. We’ll start by hiking up and over Cascade Pass–keeping an eye out for marmots and other wildlife–then spend a day exploring the flower-dotted meadows and boulder fields of Horseshoe Basin. Along the way we’ll talk about some of this special area’s human and natural history and issues that affect it today. This trip is a great choice for those looking to make the most of a relatively brief time in the backcountry. Tuition: $330

Ready to join a trip? Take the first step and apply here! If you’re requesting a scholarship, you’ll have a chance to do so as part of the application process.

For a preview of the questions you’ll be asked to answer on the application form, see here.

Hike Lookout Mountain, April 23rd

Join us for a hike along the trail system that loops up and over Lookout Mountain, with a panoramic view of Lake Whatcom at the top! This trip will be during the height of spring wildflower season, and we’ll take lots of breaks to admire and identify the beautiful flowers and other organisms we find along our way. While immersed in the forest we’ll have a chance to talk about ecosystem succession, our place in the natural world, and ways to take positive local action.

When: Sunday, April 23rd, 11:00am – 4:00pm*

Location: Meet at the Lookout Mountain Preserve Trailhead (a 20 minute drive from WWU, also accessible via the 512 bus).

What to bring: Lunch, a full water bottle, and a rain jacket just in case. Sturdy shoes recommended.

Difficulty level: Moderately challenging.

Suggested donation: $10. Register

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New Date: Exploring Clayton Beach, May 21st

Clayton Beach in Larrabee State Park is one of the best places in Whatcom County to see tide pool life and other small marine creatures that live along the shoreline. After meeting at the South Lost Lake Trailhead parking area, we’ll follow the trail that descends through the woods to the beach, then make our way along the sandy shore, following the water’s edge. Whether it’s colorful anemones clinging to a rock or sand dollars burrowing in the mud, we’re sure to find some remarkable sea creatures. We’ll also pause for a discussion about issues facing marine life and how we can help.

When: Saturday, May 21st, 11:00am – 3:00pm*

Location: Meet at the South Lost Lake Parking Lot (a 15-minute drive from WWU, also accessible by bike via the Interurban Trail).

What to bring: Lunch and a full water bottle. Sturdy shoes recommended.

Difficulty level: Moderately challenging.

Suggested donation: $10. Register

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*All end times are approximate. We will do our best to finish up by the time listed on this page, but there is always the possibility of things taking longer than expected and we recommend not making plans that depend on being back by exactly then. Some trips may also finish early.

COVID note: Reconnect Earth strives to follow health authority recommendations for preventing the spread of COVID-19. To help keep all participants on our trips safe, please keep in mind the following:

• By choosing to come on the trip you are attesting that you have not recently experienced signs or symptoms of COVID-19 not attributable to other causes. Signs and symptoms include dry cough, chills, congestion/runny nose, unusual fatigue, sore throat, muscle/body aches, nausea/vomiting, shortness of breath not caused by exercise, persistent new diarrhea, and new loss of taste or smell. Please stay home if you’ve had any of these in the last 48 hours.

• We’ll be working to follow the latest recommendations and mandates around social distancing and mask wearing outside. Please bring a face mask in case it is necessary to use one.

On Sunday, October 10th, Reconnect Earth set out for Lost Lake on Chuckanut Mountain, our first Fall 2021 day hike for students. After meeting at the North Chuckanut Mountain Trailhead just south of Bellingham, we followed the Hemlock and North Lost Lake Trails through forests of Douglas-firs, western red cedars, big leaf maples, and other Northwest trees. Along the way we stopped frequently to identify plants, look at fall mushrooms, and admire the Chuckanut sandstone cliff formations that towered above the trail as we drew near to the lake.

On arriving at Lost Like itself, our group took some time to enjoy the sunshine by the lake’s edge as we listened to Douglas squirrels and a barred owl calling from in the trees. Before leaving, we came together for an activity that involved making a large map of the area around Bellingham with lengths of rope and sticks from the forest floor. We moved ourselves to different points on the map in response to a series of prompts, including “Go to the place where you spend most of your time,” “Go to a place that you associate with nature,” and “Go to the place your water comes from,” learning in the process about our local landscape and how we each interact with it as individuals.

Finally, it was time to begin hiking back to the trailhead–though we stopped along the way for an action opportunity, writing letters to U.S. Representative Rick Larsen about the importance of federal action on climate change. By the time we neared the trailhead, dusk was beginning to fall and we heard the sound of a great horned owl hooting as it wakened from its daytime slumber. It was a fitting reminder that we share Bellingham’s landscape with many wild creatures whose lives may touch our own.

Want to join Reconnect Earth’s hike? Check out upcoming events here!

Reconnect Earth is once again leading day hikes–geared especially for college students or folks of college age–to natural areas in and around Bellingham in Fall 2021. Learn more and sign up to join a trip below!

Fall Hike to Lost Lake

Experience autumn and the changing of the seasons on a hike to Lost Lake on Chuckanut Mountain. A secluded body of water surrounded by dense forest, Lost Lake is only several miles from central Bellingham but feels like it could be in a remote wild area. After meeting at North Chuckanut Trailhead, we’ll follow the Hemlock and Lost Lake trails to the lake itself, pausing to enjoy the colorful leaves, fall mushrooms, and whatever other plants and animals we find along the way. We’ll also stop for a discussion or two about the landscape through which we’re traveling and our role as humans in the ecosystem.

When: Sunday, October 10, 11:00am – 5:00pm*

Location: Meet at the North Chuckanut Mountain Trailhead (a 10 minute drive or 15 minute bike ride from WWU).

What to bring: A full water bottle, lunch, sturdy shoes, and a rain jacket in case of wet weather.

Difficulty level: Moderately challenging (includes a long, gradual climb uphill on the hike in to the lake).

Suggested donation: $10. Register

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Search for Migrating Salmon

Witness one of the most iconic wildlife spectacles in our region: the return of migrating salmon to their ancestral spawning grounds. We’ll follow Chuckanut Creek through Arroyo Park–and if we’re lucky, we’ll get to see these big, powerful fish up close. We will also take a break for a conversation about the Indigenous history of what is now Northwest Washington, and Indigenous uses of the salmon that have provided food for people since time immemorial.

When: Saturday, November 13th, 1:00pm – 4:00pm*

Location: Meet at the Arroyo Park parking area off Old Samish Road (a 10 minute drive or 15 minute bike ride from WWU).

What to bring: A full water bottle and clothing that will keep you warm and dry. Sturdy shoes recommended.

Difficulty level: Easy (slight uphills and downhills; potentially wheelchair accessible, though not ADA-approved).

Suggested donation: $10. Register

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Hike Around Lake Padden

The forest and lake edges of Bellingham’s Lake Padden are home to giant trees, scenic views, and some of the best bird watching sites in the area. We will follow the trail that circles the lake, taking time to admire mushrooms growing on fallen logs, ducks and other water birds foraging in the shallows, and perhaps a salamander or two on the trail. We’ll also have time to pause and discuss how our interactions with nature shape our day-to-day lives and the ways in which we experience the world around us.

When: Saturday, December 4th, 11:00am – 3:00pm*

Location: Meet at the Lake Padden Park East Entrance off of Samish Way (a 10 minute drive or 25 minute bike ride from WWU; also accessible via the 533 bus).

What to bring: A full water bottle, lunch, sturdy shoes, and clothing that will keep you warm and dry.

Difficulty level: Moderate (trail is relatively level with some short uphill stretches).

Suggested donation: $10. Register

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COVID note: Reconnect Earth strives to follow health authority recommendations for preventing the spread of COVID-19. To help keep all participants on our trips safe, please keep in mind the following:

-By choosing to come on the trip you are attesting that you have not recently experienced signs or symptoms of COVID-19 not attributable to other causes. Signs and symptoms include dry cough, chills, congestion/runny nose, unusual fatigue, sore throat, muscle/body aches, nausea/vomiting, shortness of breath not caused by exercise, persistent new diarrhea, and new loss of taste or smell. Please stay home if you’ve had any of these in the last 48 hours.

-We’ll be working to follow the latest recommendations and mandates around social distancing and mask wearing outside. Please bring a face mask in case it is necessary to use one.