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Raptor Ridge ~ Pine Lake
Chuckanut Mountain
| MARCH 29, 2009 It was sunny but cool when we left
the trail head at Arroyo Park in Bellingham. The Chuckanut
Mountain trail system is a real gem, offering long hikes with decent
elevation gain, great views and beautiful forest that changed frequently
as the trail gained elevation. The trails are well marked, and the
signs that provide directions and mileage at every junction are easy to
follow. The old-growth forest was delightful, but we could hear
the traffic on I-5 as we hiked steadily up. We encountered a wide variety of
conditions, from warm sun in the clearings, snow in the deep woods, and
lots of mud everywhere. Skunk cabbage is starting to bloom
and mushrooms are pushing their way up through the light snow. We met several hikers, joggers, horseback riders,
dogs and mountain bikers along the trail. Raptor Ridge was
sunny and we enjoyed the views from the rock outcropping over a
leisurely lunch. It was sunny when we reached Pine Lake, but the
woods there were very cold. We spent a few minutes exploring the
trails around the lake before starting our return trip. We skipped
the side trails to Cedar Lake, saving that for another trip.
11.5 miles 1600' gain
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