Horseshoe Bend WA
May 31st, 2026
The North Fork of the Nooksack starts just east of Mount Shuksan, forming from meltwater off the East Nooksack Glacier, following the Mount Baker Highway west, before meeting up with the South and Middle Forks outside of Deming to form Nooksack River Proper. The Horseshoe Bend trail, which starts right off Mount Baker Highway, takes one along the North Fork just past Glacier, WA. I decided to check it out on a Sunday evening with my friends Rory and Erika.
The trail directly heads for the river, and within a few hundred feet, you're face-to-face with the rushing blue glacier water that makes up the North Fork of the Nooksack. Signs of humans are everywhere, from the metal poles in the ground to the occasional sounds of cars when the trail veers too close to the highway, and of course, the powerlines that sit above you. I, for one, love when humans and nature meet. The towering power lines and the rushing river created an interesting contrast.
Into the trees
Just so much water
About .6 miles in, the trail reaches the bank of the river, allowing you to easily walk down to its shore. A small wooden bench allows hikers to sit and take in the river's breathtaking power. We saw a few people flyfishing in this spot. From here, the trail begins to wind away from the river, as you begin to head back towards the road, gaining a few hundred feet.
The North Fork of the Nooksack
This provides an aerial view of the nearby hillsides, the river, and, occasionally, some of the bigger peaks in the distance. Right before reaching a forest road the trail suddenly descends back down towards the river, taking you to a nice rocky beach spot. Two people with a dog were there, so we kept it pushing, but this is the place to stop and have a snack. This marks the end of the trail, so we turned around and made our way back to the car. We totaled about 3 Miles, 350’ Elevation Gain, and 1:10 C2C.
Sun peaking through the trees
From up above, the highest spot along the trail
This is little more than a stroll through the woods, and although there are definitely more interesting trails closer to Bellingham, you'll be hard-pressed to find one with fewer people and a nicer drive to your destination. I think it's always fun to explore random local trails, and I would recommend others do the same. As always, Stay Safe and Happy Hiking!
