Trip Reports

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.

This gloomy first day of winter was a good time for a waterfall hike. I chose Lost Lake Falls and was not disappointed. The weather improved all day. I had bright sun for the last five miles of the hike.

The trails are in good condition, considering the recent weather. There is a small amount of snow on the ground above 1,500 feet. I met only one other hiker all day.

What was supposed to be a ten-mile hike became quite a bit more demanding. I hiked to Lost Lake on the high trail above the lake, dropped down at the north end and went around and along the lake to the waterfall on the opposite side. After spending time photographing the Lost Lake Falls, I continued along a trail on the east side of Lost Lake that eventually connected with the Lost Lizard trail, which is interrupted by a half mile of snow-covered slash before it connects back to the Lost Lake Trail. Climbing and traversing the slash area increased the difficulty of my hike significantly. My trip stats were 14 miles at an average speed of three mph with an elevation gain of 3,006'. I'll sleep well tonight.

The last time I hiked the area in April 2011, there was slash on the Lost Lizard trail, but I thought the debris would be gone by now. Wrong thought. I strongly recommend the high trail both ways to Lost Lake.

WTA worked the first mile from the Fragrance Lake parking lot.
 We cleared drainages, and did a short re route around a slippery rock part of the trail. The trail is a mellow forest walk with ferns, huge rocks, and rock cliffs. Peekaboo views through the winter trees, ( and forbidden, wide open views from the clear
 cut just beyond the park boundary); the old sign says the area
is closed, (placed when there was an active logging operation in progress? )

Here's the bottom line, this was hike 30 of my 30/300/30000 @ 30 challenge.

1. Deception Pass
2. Wallace Falls
3. Spencer Island
4. E. Fork Foss River
5. Lake Serene
6. Wallace Falls
7. Goat Lake (N. Cascades)
8. Boulder River
9. Third Beach to Toleak Point (Overnight)
10. Big Quilcene/Marmot Pass (Overnight)
11. Lake 22
12. N. Fork Skokomish (Overnight)
13. Welcome Pass/High Divide
14. Golden Lakes/Sunset Park (Overnight)
15. Glacier Basin
16. Sunrise Area Trails
17. Park Butte
18. Mt. Pilchuck
19. Barclay Lake
20. Cutthroat Pass
21. West Fork Foss River
22. Mount Constitution
23. Spencer Island
24. Pine and Cedar Lakes
25. Skyline Lake (Snowshoe)
26. Wallace Falls
27. Dungeness Spit
28. Oyster Dome
29. Lime Kiln
30. Lost Lake (Chuckanut)

30 Hikes, 257.5 Miles, 50,000' Elevation Gain.

I chose this hike for my 30th and final hike of my 30th year deliberately. Some years ago, shortly after completing grad school, I decided to take a drive. I had heard of Chuckanut Drive, and wanted to see it, drive it, photograph it, experience it. So, I set out northward and saw, drove, photographed, and experienced. It was a nice day and I was enjoying myself. I wound my way up to the north end of Chuckanut Drive, where I encountered a sign pointing out the North Chuckanut Trailhead. "I like hiking," I thought, so I pulled over.

I started up, wending my way through the labyrinth of crisscrossing trails, always choosing the option that looked like it went up the most. Everything seems so new to me. I had hiked as a Scout and a couple times in college, but I don't think I had really paid attention, really. I snapped pictures of every rock, stream and moss covered tree. Soon, I saw a sign pointing towards Lost Lake...sounded nice, so I went that way. Another major junction followed, and I again chose the route to Lost Lake. On and on and on the trail went.

Through moss-covered tree, under funky rock cliffs, and along deep-cut draws I hiked. The trail became muddier and muddier, and I had to pick my way carefully along. At one point, the mud pulled the shoe right off my foot. I was in sneakers and didn't have any food or water with me. And I was desperately out-of-shape. The implications of hiking the 4.6 miles and 1500' to the lake in that condition were unknown to me. I just knew I wanted to get there. My legs grew wearier, and I felt the mild tinge of hunger. On I pressed.

Finally, I was at the lake. Not extraordinarily beautiful, but quiet, peaceful, and somewhat mysterious. I was so tired that I did not explore the lakeshore, but instead dropped down on a log and rested for a few minutes. I took a few pictures, and thence collected myself and trudgedback to the car.

The expedition had exhausted me, and the last few miles were a drag. But somehow it was fun. And I didn't know it, but something inside me changed. A few weeks later, I decided to hike again, this time to my old favorite, Lena Lake. And then again: Hidden Lake Lookout. Old Sauk. Mt. Townsend. Almost every weekend that summer, I was off to discover a new and beautiful place.

Grace was given to me through these hikes. I felt peace while hiking, and a sense of accomplishment when I made it back to the car. The physical conditioning improved drastically, my lifestyle became active. I lost 50lbs and gained...well, a lot. It is difficult to understate how transformative hiking has been for me.

This year, hiking again acted as a means of grace. Early last year, I was bitten by a rather dog or rather poor disposition while riding my bicycle home from work. In and of itself, the bite wasn't too bad, but some complications arose and it wasn't until several months later that I was really moving around again. Last May I hit the trail again, at Deception Pass, and kicked off this 30 hike quest. It took time and energy to return to full health, and hiking played an integral role, serving as both motivation and means to recuperate.

So, given the role that hiking has had in my life, twice, it seemed right that I should return to this place where it all began to complete my 30 hikes goal. There is nothing spectacular about this hike. It is simple. The local scenery is the highlight, the thick moss, the steep valley, the gurgling streams, the strange and sometimes random geology. This time of year, some wildflowers are starting to peek out, including the odiferous skunk cabbage.

Compared to last time, this hike was really no sweat. I even included a side trip to Chuckanut Falls as part of the package, a worthwhile 1/2 mile diversion to be sure. Navigation was tricky as usual...the Chuckanut trail system makes quite the intricate web, and signage is iffy at best. Just like last time, though, I just kept going up!

The last time I hiked this, there were some staggering mudholes as you got close to the lake. This time, it was muddy in spots, but not too bad. There was also one spot where a stream had decided run down the trail for a bit. Not too bad.

------------

I feel the need to write a short coda for this year of hikes. I made my goal in terms of number of hikes and elevation gain. I missed the mileage goal. I do not view this as a failure, though, and I'm not sad about it. I hiked more miles in this year than I have ever done before. I generally cover arounf 150 miles in a year, and had previously maxed out at about 180.

This year, I spent 34 days on the trail, and four nights in the wilderness. I stood 3 feet below sea level, and a mile and a half above it. I was blessed with the sight of swollen rivers, clear lakes, icy glaciers, flower-filled meadows, deep green forest, endless ocean and expansive mudflats. I trod on dry earth, rocks, sand, and snow and through mud and water. I hiked alone and with those closest to me.
 
Each hike was different, and I enjoyed each for its own beauty. But, I do have some favorites. Hiking the wild coastline to Toleak Point was a highlight, particularly when it was overcast and threatening rain. Welcome Pass, filled with endless flowers, was exceptional in its beauty. I will return there. Cutthroat Pass, with snow on the ground and larches sparkling gold...my adjectives fail me.

I've been asked if I'm planning to do 31 hikes this year. No. Maybe in a decade or two I will try something like this again, but for now, I've walked that path. Different adventures await this year. And those adventures will come. From where I'm writing this, I can see my favorite felt fedora, my hiking hat, hanging up, calling for me to pluck it from the rack and plunge again into the wilderness.

So that's it. For those who have been reading my trip reports and following this adventure this year, thank you sincerely.

See you on the trail.

The start of the hike is just off State Route 11 (Chuckanut Drive) once you enter the Larabee State Park. The parking area (just after the Clayton Beach Camp Ground) for Fragrance Lake and Lost Lake is not very big so I can imagine on busy day it would be hard to find a parking spot. But, across the street there are more spots at the Clayton Beach Camps Grounds.

The trail up to Fragrance Lake is extremely well maintained and easy to follow. There was a touch of snow at the lake. A bit before the lake there is a .2 mile long spur off to a viewpoint overlooking Puget Sound (you can't miss the sign for it). The view is worth the short side trip to it.

Before you get to the lake ... there is a service road off to your right. If you want to make your hike a bit longer head up to the road and take a right for .2 miles or so and look for the Lost Lake Trail head. Lost Lake is long and narrow but otherwise similar to Fragrance Lake.

After hiking to one or both of the lakes ... head back down and walk across the State Route 11 to Clayton Beach. There is not really a hike to or around the beach area I could find (unless you consider about 100 yards or so of trail a hike!).

Overall, it's a big area to explore in a single day and I'm sure I missed more than I saw. I really enjoyed relaxing on big rocks at Clayton Beach after the hike. It was windy which made the waves crashing against the shore line cliffs pretty cool to see.

I decided at the last moment to do a hike today and decided to finish off the last lake I had not hiked to in The Chuckanut Mountain Range south of Bellingham, Washington which was Lost Lake. This was hike 30 of 50 I planned at age 50 this year. The Lost Lake Trail is 9 miles round trip with and elevation gain of about 1100 feet from the parking lot. There are numerous ways to get there but I hiked from The Chuckanut Mountain Trail Head which is 1 1/2 miles south of Bellingham, Washington along Chuckanut Drive (11). This trail is well maintained and 3/4 of it looks like and old dirt road. Easy to navigate both hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding which are all allowed with some limitations. There are very nice signs to direct you through all the trails in the Chuckanut Mountains. On the first 2 miles of the trail you are reminded that you are not too far from civilization because you can hear the sound of the cars on Interstate 5 but they quickly become muffled out from the mountains and the rest of the way is peaceful and quiet. The whole system of trails created in the Chuckanut Mountains are very nice and worth exploring. These are trails you can do early in the season while you wait for the snow to melt in the higher elevations of the North Cacades. All the trails are around or under the 2000 feet range. Checkout a small video of this hike and almost 100 other trails I have hiked in Washington State on my youtube channel at lmm3181 or click on this direct link to the video if this hike. It is safe. Follow along with me on the WTA and my youtube channel as I try to complete my 50 hikes at age 50 this year. I work full time so I can only do these on the weekends or holidays. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwKzOZfB3FE
Get out of your house and enjoy the beautiful outdoors of Washington State but please keep your dog on a lease (which is the law in most areas) if you take them to prevent confrontations on the trail. This is happening more and more and there is no one to mediate or help you if you get into a confrontation over your dog.
Enjoy your hiking!! Mike

Parked on Cleator Road and hiked down Chuckanut Ridge to the North Lost Lake trail. From this intersection, the trail sign said it was 2.4 miles to Lost Lake. The trail is very muddy as you get close to the north end of Lost Lake. After ducking under downed trees and trying to skirt deep mud holes, we reached the north shore of Lost Lake. We saw others heading around the east side of the lake, but it was muddy and hard to follow so we headed back to the junction that lead around the west side of Lost Lake and towards Fragrance Lake. After about another 2.5 miles and just before the gate at the intersection with the logging road from Clayton Beach Parking Area, we found the narrow trail that heads up to Chuckanut Ridge. This is a very steep trail, but at least it wasn’t muddy. Except for a few deep mud holes, the trail to/from Lost Lake is in good condition and very interesting. We passed a couple waterfalls, spotted and heard many birds, bleeding hearts lined the trails as well as other flowers, and there were great views along the ridge trail. We estimate the loop we took was about 10 miles total.

Passing the point of no return. That's what happened on this 3 mile turned 9 mile hike. Poor Jewell--she thought she was going to get home in time to work in the yard. (At this time of year, whenever there is actually sun outside, that's all us Northwester's can think to do. We know if we pass up a lawn mowing day for fun, we may have a jungle on our hands when the next chance rolls around. It's sad, really) But I talked her into doing something quick and local; a beautiful drive up Chuckanut and just a stroll to Lost Lake, turn around come back, be home before 2:30. But there's something about turning around and going back the way I just came that really rubs me the wrong way...to read the rest, go to http://kellbell-whywouldanyonereadthis.blogspot.com/[…]/loopsadaisy.html
PS this loop included Chuckanut Ridge, not Raptor Ridge; but Chuckanut Ridge was not available to put on the list. A picture of the map I used is on my blog.

Seeking the elusive Oyster Creek Falls, I hiked up Fragrance Lake Road on Blanchard Mountain and past Blanchard Mountain Falls to the Lost Lake trail. About two miles along the trail, it forks with the left fork going to Lost Lake. The right fork leads to a logging road which would have taken me to the boot path to Oyster Creek Falls. I quickly encountered a sign (see picture) stating that the trail was closed 400' ahead. There was a huge clearcutting operation in progress. Based on the outstanding views of the Sound and the islands, it is likely that there will be a new development on the mountain soon. I tried to skirt the edge of the cutting operation, but encountered a steep gully. I backtracked to the Lost Lake trail and proceeded to the Lake. There were some great tiny waterfalls along the way, so I'm glad that I went. The trail is is good condition. There are a few easily-skirted muddy areas, but no blowdowns. I met three hikers and eight bikers on the trail, and there were ten cars parked at the PNT trailhead when I returned on Chuckanut Drive. The forecast of bad weather apparently failed to disuade other hikers in addition to me. This is a good 10-mile hike with over 2,000 feet of elevation gain. Having hiked to the Lake before from the North, I prefer coming from that direction and would recommend that trail to anyone who has yet to visit Lost Lake.

We started at Clayton Beach and took Fragrance Lake Road up to the Lost Lake Trail. (We wanted to get some running in, and the road is much more condusive to running than the Fragrance Lake trail.) The road was fine, scenery beautiful. The Lost Lake trail however, was a huge letdown. The trail itself is so overgrown with stinging nettle that I'm still scratching at my legs and fingers two days later. Also, the access to Lost Lake is 3ft x 3ft clearing in the trees where you can only see about a 1/4 of the lake itself. The hike was a good uphill workout, which was what we set out for, but there was no reward at the end with a good view or beautiful scenery. We descended on the Fragrance Lake Trail, which is very pretty (though a hard downhill on the knees/toes). Fragrance Lake is pretty and the trail to and around it is worth the uphill to get there. Take the side trip on the lookout off of Fragrance Lake, it's a beautiful lookout over Puget Sound. About 10 miles and 3 hours (with a stop for eating lunch at Lost Lake).

Chuckanut Mountain has lots more trails than I thought. There are several ways into Fragrance Lake but the most direct is from the trailhead across the street from Laribee State Park entrance. There is parking there for about 10 cars. The trail is well signed and in great shape. It climbs gently up the hill with a few switchbacks, crosses over the interurban trail and reaches a signed junction at about 1.9 miles. Left is a trail around Fragrance Lake and right is a few steps up to a road. WTA has done some nice turnpike work at Fragrance Lake. There are mudholes and one blowdown along the way. The mud at the lower elevations is like cookie dough and higher up it is wetter.

To get to Lost Lake, take the right fork at the aforementioned junction up to the road. Go right, down the road about 100 yds. to a sign for "Lost Lake 2.5 miles." This route follows a boring road-become-trail through lots of greenery and flowers but little of interest. More promising is a path that climbs from the gate across the entrance to the Lost Lake trail up to a lookout atop the mountain. This trail climbs more steeply up a mile and from there one can look down into Lost Lake. There are several trails back down. All in all, there is lots to explore on Chuckanut Mountain and there are lots of people up there.

Having made the trip to Lost Lake via the Fragrance Lake trail from Larabee State Park and fighting the roots and mud holes on that route, I decided to hike to the lake from the North Chuckanut trailhead. This is a longer (5 miles), but much better way to the lake. It was a nice morning. The trail is level and in great condition. The sun was shining and ducks were on the water. The outlet waterfall is small, but beautiful. There were no other hikers today. That's the way I like it! Oh, I used a new Garmin GPS unit and like it. Does anyone know a website where one may obtain waypoints for local trails?

Our group of four hiked the Lost Lake-Fragrance Lake trail starting at the small trailhead parking lot on Chuckanut drive on the north side of the road across from the main entrance of Larrabee State Park. After an initial 1.7 miles we took the cut off 0.2 miles short of Fragrance Lake and headed to Lost Lake. There were a few areas of muck on the trail and areas where the trail is narrowed by foliage. Without a few weeks of hikers on the trail it would appear that thrail could be overgrown. On the Lost Lake trail we encountered a couple fisherman and just two other hikers-and that was on a Saturday. On the way back we headed up to Fragrance Lake at the junction 0.2 miles from Fragrance. That brought the total miles to eleven including a short side trip to a lookout point over the sound.

There are several ways up to Lost Lake. I usually take the Fragrance Lake trail and then continue up to Lost Lake from there. The Fragrance trail is great for all levels of hikere. It is mainly switch-backs to the top. The lake is beautiful once you get there. A lot of college students from WWU tend to swim up there in the summer. I have also seen fishers up there too.

From Fragrence Lake, you head out to the service road and travel about 1/8 of a mile south till you reach the trailhead for the Lost Lake trail. There is a sign to lead the way.

The hike is moderate in difficulty. There are a lot of hills that you encounter. But there are great views of the sound along the hike. The final 1/4 mile of the hike is unmarked. You kind of just make your way to the lake as you go. The lake itself is very beautiful with a bunch of fallen trees. My friend and I managed to camp up there one night. There's a nice fireplace already set up that you can use. However, that ares is especially prone to falling trees.

It's not the cleanest trail ever either. When it rains, it gets VERY muddy and the trail seems to turn into slush. But it you're down for a bit of an adventure while encountering very few people, this is the trail for you.

I joined fellow Hike-a-Thonners Kara and Adam for a leisurely trip to Fragrance Lake and Lost Lake on this sunny Sunday. The trail to Fragrance Lake is perfect -- good slope, tread not too rooty or rocky, and no mud to speak of. We had a quick snack, then circumambulated the lake. We met an older couple on the far side -- she was swimming, he was gathering up his courage to dive in!

The trail to Lost Lake is in OK shape until the descent -- very rocky, muddy and brushy with nettles. I frequently lead this hike for the Mountaineers, and Lost Lake is a really great destination -- easy access to the water, a fantastic picnic rock, even a waterfall in the early season! But the approach leaves a lot to be desired. I chatted up my friends -- both work closely with WTA -- about getting a work party or twelve scheduled so more people can access this lake.

We saw just a handful of people on the way up, and dozens on the way back. One motivated family schlepped a bag full of swim toys, an innertube and a picnic lunch to Fragrance Lake! Lots of off-leash dogs, but all were harmless. Beers, pizza and nachos at the Skagit River Brewery capped off a perfect hike day -- the I-5 traffic through Everett wasn't even too bad!

We did the hike to Lost Lake from Chuckanut Drive (there are several other routes to get there). To do so, either start up the Fragrance Lake trail pretty much opposite the entrance to the Larrabee State Park facilities, or go to the Clayton Beach parking area perhaps 1/3 mile to the south, and head up the road-trail at the southeast corner of the lot (the old Fragrance Lake road, now gated).

If using the Fragrance Lake trail, at the junction a short two miles up the trail (about 1/4 mile from Fragrance Lake - a Lake sidetrip is worthwhile ...) turn right and climb up perhaps 50 yards to the old Fragrance Lake Road. Upon reaching the road walk downhill (right) about 200 yards to a signed junction with the Lost Lake road/trail (uphill-left would take you eventually to the Cyrus Gates Overlook).

If starting from the Clayton Beach parking, just walk up the road-trail for a long two miles to the same signed junction (there is only one junction up to that point, where a gated, unsigned, obviously less-used road branches right - don't take it).

Follow the sign southward onto the Lost Lake road-trail, and continue a mile or so to where it crosses the crest of Chuckanut Mountain (nice partly screened views as you approach this point) and another trail junction. Take the left trail, signed for Lost Lake.

The trail descends (mostly) northward onto a sort of shelf, with some cliffs above and, after the better part of a mile, Lost Lake below. The trail traverses the "shelf" above the entire length of long-and-narrow Lost Lake (with a number of somewhat screened Lake views), finally reaching the branch trail to the Lake about 1/4 mile or so after passing the Lake's north end.

The fisherman with our group doubted that there were any fish in the Lake, but a hiker with fishing gear who we met going in on our way our claimed that he had caught fish there.

We know from mudstained experience that the Lost Lake trail (especially the last mile or so) can be a massive morass in the winter, with some truly memorable mudholes. Fortunately, we found the trail pretty well dried out yesterday, getting significant mud on our boots at only one point (but none on the boot tops). There were lots of bugs around the Lake (and along parts of the trail), but few, if any were biting. Anyone who hikes with their mouth open might pick up a few unwanted (and untasty) flying calories.