Access to Clayton Beach is via the Interurban Trail, which parallels Chuckanut Drive. North of the Lost Lake trailhead, the Interurban Trail is on the east or uphill side of the highway. It crosses the highway at the Lost Lake trailhead and continues on the downhill side.
If you park at the Lost Lake trailhead (Discover Pass or parking fee required), which has ample parking and toilets, cross the road and head south on the Interurban Trail about half a mile. A small stream follows the trail part of the way, sometimes in the middle of it, and creates some muddy spots. Finally, the trail drops down over a sloping rock, crosses the railroad tracks, and continues down through the trees and salal to the beach. The crescent-shaped beach itself is small but pretty. Clamber down an eight-foot embarkment that probably requires all fours to set foot on the beach itself. Or go left to rocky outlooks with spectacular views.
Plans are underway to replace the railroad crossing near Clayton Beach with a pedestrian overpass.
To extend your hike another half a mile each way, instead of parking at the Lost Lake trailhead, park instead at the entrance into the Larrabee State Park campground, climb the Fragrance Lake trail up several switchbacks, intersect the Interurban Trail, and head south.
It is also possible to park along the highway south of the Lost Lake trailhead, near where the county line crosses the road, and dive down over the hill on a boot-made track that connects to the Interurban Trail. The distance saved by this approach is not worth the wear and tear on the land.
To reduce some uncertainty that may have been left by an earlier report, in the developed part of Larrabee State Park, the walkway that goes past the band shell and down under the railroad tracks does not go anywhere near Clayton Beach. It accesses a pretty gravel beach and some rocky headlands nearby, but there is no access along that cliff-studded shore to the south.
Watch for soaring eagles all along this scenic coast.
Comments
Jarv on Clayton Beach
One of our favorite places to explore. Bellingham seems to have more sunny days than our location due to the rain shadow. Once pass the tracks look for trails on your right side. Some take you to small and isolated sandy beaches. After exploring drive south on Chuckanut Drive to the Oyster Bar (if they are still open) for dinner. Make reservations 40 minutes before sunset and request the table next to the fireplace (in the winter) and enjoy the views and great food. I wish I could remember how many pullouts there are from Larrabee before one small PO that has a wall of fossils on the hillside. Walk a few steps further south of the PO outside the guardrail and look for the dark hillside.
Posted by:
Jarv on Mar 12, 2021 09:04 AM