Having recently sold our car, we decided to do an all-on-foot adventure today. Setting off from downtown Bellingham, we walked through neighborhoods till we reached Taylor Dock and the Interurban trail. From there, we headed to Arroyo Park, where we picked up the Larrabee State Park trail system--Hemlock Trail, to Huckleberry Trail, to Raptor Ridge, then looping back to Hemlock and all the way home. This made for a nearly 14-mile jaunt. Once you hit Arroyo, the "hill work" starts--nice ascents through mixed legacy forest--maples, alder, cedar and Doug fir--some quite large.

There were quite a few trail runners today, as the Larrabee system is challenging hill-wise and also shady and peaceful. Very few bugs. Some wildflowers of the basis weed variety (example, fireweed). Raptor Ridge is a nice destination mainly because the loop to get there, from Huckleberry to Hemlock, is a great trail. Some nice erratics and winding paths through the quiet, lightly traveled woods. Happy hiking, All!

We took an excellent walk/hike along Bellingham/Fairhaven's Interurban Trail today, starting from downtown Bellingham and ending at Arroyo Park, then doubling back.

Between Bellingham and Fairhaven, the Interurban travels above Bellingham Bay on a wide dirt path (bikes and peds), with views out towards the San Juans. About one mile in, you hit Waterfront Park, where there's lots of open grassy area for sunning or playing hackey sack, a jungle gym, a Woods Coffee place, and then a great boardwalk that takes you out over the shoreline. This is the busiest part of the route, but busy in a happy way.

After another 3/4 of a mile, you hit Fairhaven--a sweet neighborhood with lots of cafes, shops, an excellent bookstore, and Acme Ice Cream headquarters--HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

To continue on the Interurban, proceed straight on the road/sidewalk after you leave the trail, until you see a signpost--about three city blocks' distance. Cross the road and continue . . .

From here, just keep following the signs for Arroyo Park/Larrabee Park. You will be walking near Padden Creek, and various streams and little waterfalls/fish ladders will crop up. To get all the way to Arroyo, keep following the trail as it crosses a street here and there, and after a mile, dips into the woods. You are now in Larrabee State Park, and will hike another mile to Arroyo (which is just a parking lot; we just used it as an endpoint). Great legacy trees in here (Doug Firs over 100 years old easily), and the character of the trail becomes more trail-like--steeper, narrower, rooty, but easy. At a junction, you can continue all the way to Larrabee Park proper on the Interurban, to the Lost Lake parking lot and Clayton Beach, or dip down to Arroyo. (Lost Lake lot would be 7 miles from Fairhaven). Lots of trails branch off into Larrabee Park once you cross that last street and dip into the woods.

Flowers today: bluebells, herb Robert, buttercup, rhododendron, wild currant, others. RT was 7.6 miles. Happy Spring and Safe Travels, All!

Biked the whole Interurban Trail down and back again. As someone who's more of a road biker, I found the trail to be mostly fairly easy and flat, with the exception of the Arroyo Park section. Here, it can be somewhat difficult to discern which trail is the Interurban, and occasional rocks and small bridges make it more treacherous for bikes. If you're only going to do part of the trail, I'd recommend the southern stretch between Arroyo Park and the Lost Lake trailhead: this section is (mostly) very flat and provides access to the beautiful views of Chuckanut Drive while remaining removed from the road itself.

Spring doesn't officially start till next week, but today felt like it's here. That first day when you can sit on a beach in a T-shirt and exult in the sun's warmth--oh yeah.  Ridin' the Blissmobile. We did a mellow hike today along the Interurban, starting from Arroyo Park and going to the Lost lake parking lot, then crossing Chuckanut Drive and picking up the 1/2 mile path down to Clayton Beach. The Interurban was busy with trail runners doing a 50k, which was fun to watch. I think I observed every facial expression catalogued by mankind as folks passed: exhilaration, joy, determination, pain, nausea, "in the zone" . . . I'm running my first half-marathon next week and hoping to avoid the less gratifying emotions . . . Weaving our way past the cheering onlookers near the Lost Lake lot, we made our way to Clayton Beach. The trail down there had been recently regraded, and is easier ton follow than it was this fall. Lots of picnicking families, with kids splashing in the water or playing on the beach. Just a joyous scene. RT was 8 miles. Temps around 60 at 2 pm. No obstacles on the clearly marked paths. Happy sun, All!

To avoid the rain, possibly wintry mix, and/or snow later today MON 26Feb2024, i went to Auburn WA for a walk of the ~1 mile of King County Interurban Trail between the Trail access at Outlet Collection Way, Auburn -and- Valley Trail Access parking, Algona.

Breezy and chilly ~30s+_F, ~06:35 i arrived and parked at the Walmart, Outlet Collection Way. Saw no other person in the AEP. Nice and quiet walk. Then out i went - on a CW-Loop: Parking > Valley Trail Access parking, Algona > Algona roads/streets > Parking.

On KCIT, encountered 1x Cyclist, and 1 man and his dog - everyone's friendly and courteous. Nice and sweet. Light traffic on the roads.

Cheers!