This outing was a WTA work party to continue construction of the new Rock Trail to Lost Lake. We arrived at the Cyrus Gates Overlook in Larrabee State Park to a welcoming committee of mosquitoes and flies. This welcoming committee had been present in previous days, prompting a few members of the work party to bring mosquito netting to the occasion. Our day was partly sunny, and it remained that way. Our crew leader was Kathy, with ACLs Tomoe and Mike.

We hiked down from the overlook along the new trail, which is taking shape nicely. We hiked about 1/2 mile to a section in-progress. About half of the work party cleared organic material and hewed new trail. The rest of us graded trail, removed roots, scraped away organic soil, and moved a large rock or two. After the work was over, we cached some tools, carried the remainder back to the overlook, and enjoyed drinks and cookies.

Slugs, snails, and millipedes were out. Wildflowers, in particular bleeding heart, were in bloom. Spring is taking hold in the Chuckanuts.

I started at the Clayton Beach parking lot which does require a Discover Pass contrary to one of the previous trip reports as there is a big sign that says so as you drive in. Anyway I took the old road to the Lost Lake trail and through the gate. I gotta say this is a nice little trail through a good looking forest and I didn't see a single soul until I was back at my car. It gradually goes downhill until a junction and then a right turn takes you to the lake. Not sure where the trail left from there goes I followed it for about 45 minutes and came to a junction with "Raptor Ridge" where I turned around. The lake isn't much to look at but if you want a nice long walk with very little or no people this is a perfect trail for you. Only a little bit of mud near the lake but nothing you can't side step.

This was a work party to continue construction of a new trail to Lost Lake. The trail will start at the Cyrus Gates Overlook, at the top of Cleator Road, in Larrabee State Park. It will skirt several rock faces on its downhill route to Lost Lake; proposed names include the Rock Trail and the Lost Antler Trail. We'll see which hiking constituency wins the naming game....

The day started with the safety lecture and the distribution of two personalized hardhats for Pancake and Susan E. The crew leader was Arlen, with ACLs Terry and Marty. Our plan was to improve or make trail surface and move some rocks. The work started right away with a steep downhill approach to the work area. Prior to the construction of the trail, this was a challenging downhill/uphill bushwhack. Stairs are now installed on the steepest sections. Conditions were muddy, so it was no picnic getting out, especially with 2 tools to each person. Rope came in handy!

Views of Bellingham and Samish Bays opened up in places, and we enjoyed the sheer rock walls as we approached the worksite. Three stretches of developing trail were the foci of our efforts. One group built new trail next to the rock wall. The second group moved some boulders and worked as stone masons on a switchback section. The third group, which I worked with, removed organic material from and derooted a developing trail section near a ridgeline. I spent my day grubbing and shoveling, with some chopping towards the end.

We had sunshine most of the day, but we encountered a pelting with 1-2 mm size hail during lunchtime. At the end, we enjoyed cookies and cider, as usual, as we looked out over Bellingham Bay.

I was looking for some time alone and I got it! This is a very nice hike in a popular area, but I got lucky today. I started out in the parking area for Clayton Beach which is just north of the "official" Fragrance Lake trailhead. This doesn't require a Discover Pass, and I opt for this being a bit of a rebel. It's a very short jaunt from this area to the Fragrance Lake trailhead. I took the gated road to the junction for Lost Lake. This route isn't very scenic, but is very efficient. At about two miles is the junction to Lost Lake. The route gets somewhat wilder from there as it traverses a bit and then switchbacks a little to a saddle. From there it's mostly downhill to Lost Lake. The trail here feels real lonesome through a coastal forest and today it felt pretty remote. Nice. After about one mile of downhill is an unsigned junction. Go right and meander around a bit passing short trails to the lakeshore, but the lunch spot is a rocky cliff overlooking the lake probably 1/8 of a mile from the junction. Such nice solitude and even some sunbeams to warm my lunchtime. The best parts of this trip is the solitude and the lovely coastal forest. I took the Fragrance Lake trail back and it's in great shape and artfully built. Lots of big trees, salal and moss. Really enjoyable.