Rising above the Western Washington University campus, Sehome Hill offers a number of top rope routes and boulder problems on mostly good sandstone. It is an historic area, with a tradition of climbing dating back to the 1950s. Sehome Hill has been the starting point for many climbers, including Chuck Pratt, a Bellingham high schooler who went on to become a Yosemite legend.
The main Sehome Hill area is a collection of boulders and small walls up to 35 feet high. The rock features occasional pockets and veins of pebbles. The toprope climbs range from 5.6 to hard 5.10, with boulder problems running the gamut from easy to hard.
Ownership/Management:
The Sehome Hill rocks are within the Sehome Hill Arboretum, which is cooperatively managed by the City of Bellingham and Western Washington University.
Current status:
Open.
Access considerations:
The Sehome Hill Arboretum closes at sunset.
Because the arboretum is devoted to preserving a natural forest habitat, avoid obtrusive cleaning (gardening).
For more information on park rules, click here.
Other resources:
Weather forecast
Weather cam
Joe Barker on Dr. Google Eyes, V8, Sehome Hill.
Photo by Kris Taylor