A popular spot in the heart of the Chuckanut Mountains, little Fragrance Lake makes for a fine destination any time of year. On a well-built hiker-only trail through big timber, the way to Fragrance Lake includes a scenic lookout of Samish Bay and a glistening horizon dotted with islands. Loop back on a gentle old fire road and admire a crashing cascade. And if more exercise and exploration are desired, miles of interconnecting trails will more than satisfy. You won't be without company however-folks from Bellingham flock to this "backyard wilderness."

Waste no time warming up. The trail commences in a series of short, steep switchbacks. Upward mobility is quickly interrupted, however, upon intersecting the Interurban Trail. Once a trolley line that serviced Mount Vernon and Bellingham in the early twentieth century, the railbed was converted into a 6-mile trail in the late 1980s.

Cross the Interurban, regaining the Fragrance Lake Trail a few dozen feet to your right. Through a dark, dank forest of mature cedar and Doug-fir the trail winds its way upward. At 0.9 mile (elev. 600 ft) reach a well-marked junction. Take the fairly level side path 0.2 mile to a madrona-framed ledge that grants delightful views westward over Samish Bay to Lummi Island and the San Juans.

Soak up the scenery and perhaps some sunshine, then resume your trek to Fragrance Lake. Back under a coniferous canopy, the trail briefly dips into a damp ravine before once again heading upward, occasionally at a steep pitch. At 1.9 miles pass through a bike barricade and arrive at another junction. The trail left heads to Fragrance Lake. The trail right leads to an old road (your return trip).

Head left first, slightly dropping into a muddy depression. Reach the small lake in about 0.1 mile and circumnavigate it on a 0.7-mile loop. Take a break at a pair of shoreline benches. Admire big cedars and babbling brooks along the eastern shore, and be impressed by a series of sandstone ledges along the western shore.

For your return, follow the old road for a gentle descent, pausing briefly about halfway to check out a pretty little cascade. The road ends in 2.2 miles, delivering you to the Clayton Beach parking lot. Return to your vehicle by following the Interurban Trail 0.5 mile north back to the Fragrance Lake Trail.