Oyster Dome — Saturday, Apr. 26, 2003

Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area

This was my first trip to the Oyster Dome. It was great although the trails are quite muddy. The trip started on road B-2000 on a trail that parallels road B-1000 for about a mile, sometimes only a few yards from the road. This part of the trail was in good shape except for a few mud holes. At an unsigned junction about 2 miles from the trail head, I took a side trail to Max's Short Cut and then up to Lily Lake. At Lily Lake and on the trail to Oyster Dome, I was surprised by beaver dams (2 of them). In one case the dam formed a lake that covered parts of the trail. The water over the trail is deeper than it looks so it is best to use the detours around the water holes. The trail to the Dome is signed, but you have to look for the sign after a crossing of the creek dammed by the beavers. Had the top of Oyster Dome to myself for about 4 minutes then the hordes arrived. Nothing like a sunny day to bring out the hikers. The view is sublime even though I could no see the Olympics due to clouds. The San Juan Islands and Fidelgo Sound were magnificent in the sunshine. I returned via the Blanchard Hill Trail which was very muddy from Horse and Llama use. Note: Flies and other such critters were coming out so this may be a good time to hike this area before mosquito season starts in earnest.