Day Hikes

Do you love keeping your feet on the ground, moving slowly through the outdoors, and taking in the gorgeous landscape of Washington? If so, we encourage you to join us for one of our monthly day hikes! 

When

Join us once a month throughout the summer as we explore Washington’s hiking trails! On Saturday or Sunday, we’ll leave Bellingham early (around 7-8am) and be back in the evening (around 5pm).

Our hikes are rain or shine, but we will cancel them if the conditions are unsafe.

Who

Our day hikes are open to all women! We will offer a variety of hikes that adhere to all hiking abilities and comfort levels. Each hike will include 10 participants, a Day Hike Leader and Support.

Where

We’ll explore a different hike in Washington each month! Each hike has a designated skill level so please choose a hike that is appropriate for your experience, interests, and comfort levels. They build upon each other throughout the season, with each hike increasing in elevation and length.

Cost

Shifting Gears provides a tiered registration system to ensure accessibility for everyone, regardless of financial status. We encourage you to choose the registration tier that best fits your budget. Your fees help cover essential logistics, experienced trip leaders, permit fees, and transportation costs.

FAQs

  • You’ll need to bring clothes and footwear that are comfortable for hiking, an extra layer, water, and snacks/lunch. Hiking poles are recommended for our longer hikes. We’ll provide you with an extensive packing list with suggestions on what to bring once you register!

  • We provide transportation from downtown Bellingham! You can always choose to drive separately.

  • Beginner: These hikes are perfect for newcomers to hiking, offering shorter distances and gentle terrain to help ease you into outdoor exploration.

    Moderate: Ideal for those with some hiking experience, intermediate trails provide a bit more challenge with longer distances and varying terrain, allowing you to explore further while still feeling comfortable.

    Hard: Geared towards seasoned hikers seeking adventures, advanced trails offer longer distances, rugged terrain, and breathtaking views, providing a rewarding challenge for those ready to push their limits.

  • Pre-registration is required to ensure that we stay within our group capacity. Registration for each hike opens one month in advance and can be found below.

  • Full Refund Deadline: Participants are eligible for a full refund if they cancel their registration up to one week before the program start date.

    Partial Refund Option: After the full refund deadline, participants may cancel their registration up to 72 hours before the program begins and receive a partial refund. The partial refund will cover a portion of the registration fee, determined by our administration.

    No Refunds: No refunds will be issued for cancellations made within 72 hours of the program start date. This policy helps us ensure adequate preparation and resources for the program.

    If you need to cancel your registration or have questions about our cancellation policy, please don't hesitate to contact us. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

Day Hike Program Dates

June 30

Wallace Falls
5.6 Miles, 1300ft
Beginner/Moderate

July 21

Lake Valhalla Trail
6.3 miles, 1364ft
Moderate

August 11

Chain Lakes Trail
6.2 miles, 1794ft
Moderate

September 7

Lake Ann Trail
8.6 miles, 2047ft
Moderate/Hard

October 12

Gothic Basin Trail
9.3 miles, 3,146ft
Hard

Meet Your Hiking Team

  • Amanda Porter

    Hike Leader

  • Mel Fernandes

    Hike Leader

  • Rory Humenik

    Hike Leader

  • Ava Larsen

    Hike Leader

  • Erin Kreutz

    Hike Support

  • Teresa Flinn

    Hike Support

Upcoming Programs

Select a date to learn more about specific programs and register to participate.