My first time on these trails so everything with new eyes. The trail-head at the Samish overlook is very deluxe. Two very clean outhouses, abundantly stocked, striped parking bays on black top, and nice picnic table and benches, plus of course a great view to gaze at while you put your boots on. They've done a bit more work on the road and lots of the potholes have been filled in with fresh gravel. Careful steering will get your sedan around the rest. WTA trailhead directions accurate. Not too busy on a sunny Friday arriving around 9:30 but it was still pretty chilly.
Lots of trip reports for this area so just a few observations. The trail does drop to start with before the first junction and then ascent, but I was impressed with how well graded it was. The clear cut above this section is screened but it did mean sun could filter through. Signage is good and it was not long before we were at the "dome", more of a rocky out crop really. Quite a big area with a few trees interrupting the view to all things west and south west. Even in the sun it was cool and the rock itself really chilly for lying on if you were tired like me. We found a spot and took a sun break, enjoying being above the Bald eagle swooping below. After our dome viewing we back tracked and continued on to Lily lake. Easy trail now all the serious climbing is behind you and you follow a nice creek past a marshy area then to the outlet of the lake itself. Nothing really special here. Frogs were in full spring chorus and really loud. There is an amazing back country campsite at the outlet with a fire-pit, all stocked with fire wood. No obvious back country toilet and several pack it out poo signs, so take notice.
Passing Lily Lake the trail closest to the waters edge was a bit mucky but there is a drier option that traverses the lake side camp site area. We continued on and when we came to the next junction we decided to tack on North Butte as we weren't too beat. Just a short climb nothing technical but there was a bit of wondering around looking for the best view points at the treed summit. We did find the view to the north with a lovely bench (pictured), what a treat. Tried to find Maddy's uninterrupted view of Baker to the east but only managed a partial through the trees.
On the return the frogs had fallen very silent which was a bit creepy. We came back to the three prong junction before Lily Lake and after a bit of map staring for the missing fourth prong decided to head east with hope. A few paces up the trail, but well hidden, was the start of Max's shortcut that we were looking for. It was anything but short but the extra mileage means very few hikers and the forest was lovely. The final part of the loop return is the Larry Reid connector, all function but some nice views to the south. Close to 8 miles and a good loop hike.
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