WTA Work Park - trail maintenance and fallen tree clearing.

This was my fifth WTA work party and the day started with the presentation of my green hard hat! Four of my previous WTA work parties have been with Gary and his crew at Larrabee State Park and I'm always impressed with the variety of work. I started volunteering in part to learn about various trail construction and other maintenance techniques, and I've been rewarded abundantly: repairing split-rail fencing, clearing clogged waterways, establishing drainage, clearing trails of organic debris, removing fallen trees, and putting in new trials are all things I've learned and contributed to in the past few months.

The work the other day was on the Rock Trail and first off: what a beautiful area! Views of both Baker and Samish Bay, soaring rock faces, and remote but accessible trails led to our work area: a large tree that had fallen over the trail and required removal.

I worked with three other volunteers (two Assistant Crew Leads and another "green hat" like me). While we were working near steep drop-offs, around sharp tools, and on a massive tree, I never felt unsafe or as if shortcuts were being taken. Both the ACLs discussed the situation, went over options and alternate approaches, and gave clear instructions ... all while incorporating ideas we brought to the table. I worked both a two-person crosscut saw and smaller saws, partnered to move big log sections, and sometimes just provided counterweight to keep the tree we were cutting steady.

While it's clear safety is the highest priority, having fun is a strong second and everyone is kind, hardworking, and very genial. It's a long commute for me to get to Larrabee State Park but I find it hugely rewarding and I strongly recommend getting on a WTA work party. Even if you're just interested in getting your Discover or Forest Parking pass after three qualifying sessions!

Sometimes you feel like a nut.  Sometimes you don't.  Today I felt like one, so I went hiking in the Chuckanut Mtns.  I made a lollypop loop starting at the Pine & Cedar Lakes Trailhead.  The road is paved to the trailhead, but the parking lot has some deep potholes to roll through.  Remove any and all valuables from your cars as thieves routinely prowl here.  The P&C Lakes Trail is wide and in excellent shape.  There are a few down trees to step over and some slippery muddy spots but that's it.  The trail heads steeply uphill for 1.6 miles to the Hemlock Trail junction.  Once there, I turned right and hiked over Raptor Ridge to the North Lost Lake Trail.  Raptor Ridge has a great viewpoint at the top, but no velociraptors.  The trail is more technical than Pine & Cedar with lots of rocks, roots, mud and narrower tread to negotiate.  In other words, it's an actual trail and not an old road.  The Raptor switchbacks for a mile down to the North Lost Lake Trail which I took north one mile to the Chuckanut Ridge Trail.  The Ridge Trail travels southeast along a spine of Chuckanut sandstone with views of Mt. Baker, Bellingham and Puget Sound.  After three miles of ridge rambling, I reached the Cyrus Gates Viewpoint and start of the Rock Trail.  A WTA work party was out there today cutting up blowdowns and clearing the trail.  Thanks, volunteers!!!  The Rock Trail heads steeply downhill to connect with the S. Lost Lake Trail (turns back into the N. Lost Lake Trail), where I turned north again and hiked a little over two miles back to the Raptor Ridge Trail.  Lots of mud on this section of trail.  From there I retraced my steps to the Pine and Cedar Trail.  Since it was still early enough, I stopped by Pine Lake and busted out the fishing pole for a couple hours before heading back to the car.  Lots of folks were coming up to the lakes in the evening.  I saw hardly anyone all day but passed a couple dozen people on the way out after dark.

Summary: approx 14 miles RT/2500-3000ft elevation gain

Haven't seen any recent trip reports for this trail, so decided to write a report.  Gate to the Rock Trail TH at Cyrus Overlook is open with a privy at the parking lot.  Great views across Bellingham Bay to Canada can be seen from this overlook, but today it was only partially visible.   Trail is in good condition.  Just a few muddy spots as you go to Lost Lake.   We started our hike around 9am, and didn't see any other hikers until we were headed back from the Falls and Lake.  Rather than taking the 188 wooden steps back to the Cyrus Lookout, we took the Double Diamond Trail to loop back to the car.   Watch out for the cyclists -- we only saw a couple, but they were zooming down the trail!   Our gps clocked 7.1 miles, and for us grannies, it took about 4-1/2 hours including all our little breaks for photo ops, tea, and to catch our breath.

I had intended on driving up to Cyrus Gates today and hiking to Lost Lake, but on the drive along Chuckanut noticed the snow line was very low. It was snowing lightly down on the road so I opted to park at the Lost Lake parking lot instead and wander the trail systems from there. I ended up on the forest road (Cleator) eventually and saw that it would’ve been impassable due to snow and fallen trees. Even if the snow melts there will be some debris to clear before it’s passable to the lookout again! Beautiful day in the local mountains though.