Whatcom County, Washington

These two quaint lakes in the Chuckanuts are a must-do for people looking for a day hike, short camping trip or steep trail run in the Bellingham area. Starting at the trailhead off of Old Samish Road, one begins the 2 mile ascent to the two lakes. The first 1,400ft climb has its fair share of up...

The trail to Locust Beach is very easy to find. Parking on Locust Avenue is available from dawn to dusk on the side of the road, and in a small gravel lot. Follow the road towards the water, and continue right on a small but well-marked trail down to the beach. Be careful - the stairs are kind of...

South Bay Trail is an out-and-back trail that provides a good opportunity to view wildlife located near Bellingham, Washington.

On Chuckanut Drive (State Route 11) pull off onto a small, unmarked, one-way road that offers parking for Teddy Bear Cove before quickly rejoining the road. There is space to pull over on the road for approximately 15-20 cars. If you are heading North to South, the road is on your right, if headi...

Porcupine Peak (also known as Goat Peak) is a little known trail that begins beside the popular Lindeman and Greendrop Lakes trailhead. The hike is tough, going straight uphill for a significant portion, with some ups and downs right before reaching the peak.  The trailhead is a bit tricky to fin...

You start the trail in a newly created parking lot (outhouses as well). Follow along the trail, and within a short distance from the parking lot you will come to a fork. Take the left trail (right goes to Flora Lake). This part of the trail is fairly flat with some nice scenery. You will follow t...

The sunset is amazing at Sammish Overlook. The view is the definition of panoramic and you almost have to strain your eyes because there is so much to look at. Plan to arrive before sunset if you want to capture some photos. This is a great "date spot" and you're likely to see couples up here pic...

The HikeThe hike there isn't short, has several steep sections, and ends at the top of the mountain. There are cliff warnings at the top, so be careful as you explore the view! The steepest portions are at the beginning and right at the end. The trail is very well maintained (because it is so pop...

The trail begins on the Pacific Northwest Trail, which ascends quickly up the side of Blanchard Mountain. The trail contains several switchbacks which wind through second-growth alder, Western red cedar, and Douglas fir forest. After about one mile there is an overlook with a bench that offers a...

Take Chuckanut Drive to the trailhead which is located directly across from the entrance to Larrabee State Park. A small lot in front of the trail has space for 8-10 cars, or you can park at the State Park and walk across the road (carefully!) to reach the trailhead. Either way you will need a Di...

Driving up to the park entrance: take a right to drive towards the barnyards, playgrounds, covered picnic areas, historic house and community gardens, and access to the Snoqualmie River.  Or, drive straight and park outside of the fragrance gardens and historic house/ museum, and take a walk to a...

When you get to the parking lot go past the access gate and follow the very well maintained trail. The hike to the viewing platform is all uphill, but short. After a couple minutes you will reach wooden stairs that take you to a viewing platform as well as to the suspension bridge where you can c...

To get to Lazy Bear Falls, take Bacon Creek Road off the North Cascade Highway for 5 miles. At the 3-way fork, take the left road, which will lead you down and over a bridge crossing Bacon Creek. From here, the road will require 4x4 and high clearance.From here, continue up the road for about 0.5...

Even from the Trailhead, the views overlooking the Skagit River valley, all the way out toward Mount Vernon, are outstanding. The trail follows 20 tight switchbacks as it makes it's way 600 feet up to the southern crest of the summit ridge. This is a steep slope and it's possible to look straight...

Southwest of Hope and just east of Chilliwack, Jones Lake is a recreation site at a reservoir lake in the coastal mountain range, managed by BC Hydro. Set below granite mountain peaks and surrounded by a dense forest (that is unfortunately being logged), this lake isn't pristine, but it sure is p...

Jones Lake Reservoir is approximately 25 km southwest of the town of Hope, British Columbia. Directly off of BC Highway #1 at the community of Laidlaw. To reach the lake, you will have to drive 9 km (5.6 mi.) on a  steep and pretty beat up gravel road. The Jones Lake Forest Service Road is car ac...