Oyster Dome, Lily and Lizard Lake Loop — Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2006

Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area

Took Off from Chuckanut drive, Highway 11, at the trailhead just south of oyster creek. Up and up to the first junction with some great views of the San Juan Islands. Took a right at the junction and went up some more on increasingly rough trail. Roots, mud, water and a few blowdowns make this trail look like it needs some wta lovin. Took a detour on the Talus trail and checked out the bat caves. These huge rocks that have fallen from the side of Oyster Dome dwarf the hiker and make you wonder if any more are poised to come down while you are standing there. Back to the main trail and another side trip to the top of the dome for some good views of the islands sprawling out among calm seas. Down to the trail for a little more up and then dropping a little into the bowl of Lilly lake. Skirting the lake to the right brings you to camp sites and beyond that a trail to the top of Blanchard mountain and some great views of clouds today but if clear all the way to Anacortes and more expansive views of islands as far as the eye can see. A quick trip down and over to Lizard lake brings some nice campsites and a tranquil mountain lake studded with tree stumps from turn of the century logging. Returning on the more easterly trail brings you to a nice lookout connected to Barrel Springs Road, another access to this area, then down to connect to the trail back to the highway for a nice lollipop loop. The way I went was about a 12 mile round trip and 1200 feet elevation gain but many options are available for a shorter or longer hike. This is a unique area where the mountains reach out and touch the sea. Wonderful rock formations are the norm and gazing over the islands while standing at this elevation is a thing that can only be experienced in the Chuckanut mountain range. This area is scheduled to be logged in the very near future so get out here soon and see why so many are trying to save it from this ultimate peril.