All WTA buses are temporarily fare free. This facility includes a customer service office, passenger lobby and public restrooms. Is at least 65 years of age. • Must pass a comprehensive background check in accordance with RCW 43.43.830 through … We were excited to see Whatcom Pass today as it had been handful of days since we had been above 5,000 feet in elevation. Route 80X runs between Bellingham and … (We reversed this as a traverse, down climbing the North Ridge).There are two ways to get to Whatcom Pass. NOTE: veterans with 39% or less disability level are eligible for WTA's Veteran Card, which is valid for reduced fares on WTA buses, and for reduced fare bus passes. Also, be sure to bring a Discover Pass (WA State Parking Pass) to avoid any tickets, there is a pass kiosk at the trailhead if you forget. When WTA does begin charging a fare again, students’ Western ID cards will not work as a bus pass. Vernon to Bellingham) and all local Skagit Transit and WTA routes for $6 ($3 Youth or Reduced Fare Riders). The bus pass function on the Orca Card … The hike up the Little Beaver Trail to Whatcom Pass felt more rugged and wild -- the valley opened up and greeted us with a wall of waterfalls and views of Mt. Started at Hannegan Pass, down the Chilliwack River, up Whatcom Pass, down into the Big Beaver Valley, over Beaver Pass and down the Big Beaver Valley to Ross Dam. You can climb Whatcom Peak via the North Ridge from Whatcom Pass at 5200 feet. After leaving Bear Creek Camp and retracing my route west along the Chilliwack river, I continued past the previous day's junction to the Brush Creek trail, which heads 2500 feet up to Whatcom Pass. The company is an important transport agency in the state of Washington, WA. One very attractive, and under-publicized, program that WTA offers to pass holders and Smart Trips program enrollees is an Emergency Ride Home program: Employee pass holders who commute by bus (or walk or cycle) are entitled to a ride home should a need come up during the workday that cannot be addressed by regular bus service. The trail for Fragrance Lake seems pretty steep to begin with, but thanks to the hard working trail crew from Washington Trails Association , is really quite pleasant. But at least the descent was down a much lower grade over a much longer distance. Major destinations in the area include historic Fairhaven, Downtown Bellingham, Lakewood, Bellis Fair Mall area, Sunset Square, Lakeway Center, Lake Padden, Whatcom … The Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) is the public transit authority of Whatcom County in northwestern Washington, based in the city of Bellingham.It provides bus service on 31 fixed routes, including branded "GO Lines" with 15-minute frequencies on weekdays, to cities in its service area. WTA Emergency Ride Home Current WTA bus pass holders or registered SmartTrip participants who walked, biked, or carpooled to … TouchPass Electronic Fare System. Fares for paratransit, zone service and vanpool are different from those on fixed routes. 36 were here. The basin is shaped somewhat like an amphitheater, with the main show being the stupendous views of Mount Challenger and Whatcom … Permanent Permit. In March of 2016, WCOG kicked off a two-year pilot project to provide transit education and a free quarterly bus pass to every 7th grade student in Whatcom County. Purchase fares and passes for riding whatcom transportation authority. • Applicants must have an acceptable driving record (in accordance with WTA personnel policy "Employment Requirements") and must submit a five year driving abstract. The $6 pass is good on the 80X to Mount Vernon, and all Whatcom and Skagit Transit routes. North Cascades National Park. With the County Connector 31-day pass, you can ride all WTA and Skagit Transit routes, including Route 80X and 90X. Whatcom County Community Resource Directory A directory of resources for basic needs, childcare resources, food, housing, energy assistance. The Little Beaver Trail begins on the eastern side of Whatcom Pass. There was a buggy camp just below the pass where I spent the next night. Most of the WTA … WTA says this will allow them to increase social distancing on buses and at pass outlets because they will not be selling passes or collecting fares on board. In addition to bus service, the WTA offers paratransit service and a vanpool programs. This facility includes a customer service office, passenger lobby and public restrooms. Challenger, the Challenger Glacier and Whatcom Peak. T hanks to Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) and Whatcom Smart Trips, your seventh-grade son or daughter will soon receive a free quarterly bus pass (for … A stunning wide-open view of Lake Whatcom below will make you glad you made the effort. If you still need to burn off more energy, the trail continues after the jaw-dropping view. The Whatcom Community College Store is committed to exemplary customer service and providing the WCC community competitive prices on textbooks, and other relevant merchandise. Many of these trails are available for hiking year round, while … Hike eastward to Hannegan Pass, descend to the trail fork and bear right on the Chilliwack Trail. We are here to provide information and class materials to students, as well as convenient on-campus purchasing for everyone at WCC. While WTA’s support of the Whatcom Smart Trips program is laudable, it might also help promote pass purchases by allowing pass-holders to get discounts at various places, especially restaurants and cafes, by simply showing their pass rather than having to go through registering with Smart Trips. The Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) is a transit provider whose ridership has been stagnant or in decline in recent years after a dramatic growth of ridership between 2005 and 2009. Nestled near the south end of the Chuckanut Mountains, just south of Bellingham and only one-half-mile off of I-5, Squires Lake offers an easy and accessible hike. 2. It is responsible for carrying thousands of passengers daily. To use your Orca Card on WTA buses, place the card on the oval scanner located on top of the farebox. From bayside beaches to alpine lakes; from easy urban strolls to strenuous mountain climbs, there’s a hike for everyone here. WTA's Bell ingham Station is located at 205 E Magnolia in downtown Bellingham. Note: With WTA's Gold Card, riders 75 years old or older , ride free on … Whatcom Pass – A Journey for a Glimpse in Fireside / Trails — by Thom Schroeder + — January 3, 2012 Sixteen miles in, six-and-a-half hours from shouldering my pack, twenty pounds or so back at the Hannegan Pass trailhead earlier that morning. While ridership is falling, costs are rising and cutting into funding that could go toward improving services. Tapto Lakes sit in a basin about 800′ above Whatcom Pass. Once I made it over Whatcom Pass, the trail descended for pretty much the rest of the day, losing all that hard-fought rise in elevation. Whatcom Pass and Tapto Lakes. I took an hour-long rest at Whatcom Camp, just past Whatcom Pass, and couldn't help but note that there wasn't snow anywhere. WTA General Manager Pete Stark said, “We are extremely pleased to be partnering with Whatcom Community College on this new pass program. Follow the Chilliwack River 7 miles to Brush Creek. One is from Haneggan Pass (note info above), but stay on main trail system to Whatcom Pass 17 miles from the trailhead at the Hannegan Pass area. WTA bus schedules, lines, routes, and stations overview by TrainUS. Several weeks ago I was finally able to make a return visit to Whatcom Pass and Tapto Lakes, in North Cascades National Park.In the heart of the park, Whatcom Pass is quintessential North Cascades wilderness. Turn right on the Brush Creek Trail and hike 5.2 miles to Whatcom Pass. Brief Review of Part 1 Part 1 of this three-part series on Whatcom Transportation Authority’s (WTA) bus system described and documented its trend of stagnation and decline in ridership after a period of dramatic ridership growth over a decade ago. Hannegan Pass was very pretty as usual, but this time was only a precursor to coming attractions. Your WWU student bus pass is good on all WTA buses including the 80X to Mt Vernon. WTA operates bus across Washington, WA. The hike down the Chilliwack river is a good forest walk on a very good trail. Skagit-Whatcom Day Pass (1-Day) Riders with this pass can take unlimited rides on the 80X (Mt. Serving Whatcom County, Washington with safe, reliable and friendly public transportation. We also offer a regional County Connector pass, for those who ride the bus in both Whatcom and Skagit Counties. Students overwhelmingly supported this initiative, saving Whatcom students 50% on comparable bus passes each quarter. Bellingham and Whatcom County offer hundreds of miles of hiking trails. The basin contains on large lake and several smaller lakes set in a heather filled subalpine meadow. The Smart Trips staff created the teaching tools and is providing the instruction. This means that students registered for fall classes do not have a student Whatcom Transit Authority (WTA) bus pass on their Western ID cards. Washington Trails Association 705 2nd Ave, Suite 300 Seattle, WA 98104 (206) 625-1367. This pass is not valid on the Route 90X to Everett. Is now certified by the Veterans Administration at a 40 percent or greater disability level. Challenger Mountain, North Cascades National Park #61459 Purchase Whatcom Pass Tapto Lakes North Cascades National Park Part 1. We rested and enjoyed the views of the Little Beaver drainage and explored a footpath that went south from the pass to get a close up view of the Challenger Glacier and Whatcom Peak. Contact Us. Check out Squires Lake! 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