Oyster Dome — Friday, May. 30, 2008

Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area

This was a Mountaineer's Hike. Started hiking at 7:35 a.m. Ascended the PNT Trail, then Samish Bay Trail with a side trip to Oyster Dome. No one up here at this early hour. Continued to Lily Lake and more exploring. Returned via the PNT via Samish Overlook where we watched the gliders. Stats were 2,750' and 13 miles. Trail had mud and water especially on the Samish Bay Trail and around Lily Lake, but less than expected given this wet spring. Most of the tread is in excellent conditon. This is really a grand loop with beautiful forest, a creek, lakes and a variety of views. Signing is marginal, but you can get an excellent map on the internet - www.pnt.org/images/map-blanchard .gif which is far superior the 7.5 topos. An alternative return can be made using the Lily Lake Trail which merges back into the PNT with little change in the stats. Go early to get a parking spot and to beat the crowds which flock to Oyster Dome on weekends. Logging starts in the next few years so go soon before the chainsaws arrive.