The best way to combat jet lag is to spend as much time as possible in (preferably sunny) daylight, and keep moving. To that end, Edelman and I took a very nice 8.5 mile RT "hike" from the North Chuckanut TH to Larrabee Park's Lost Lake parking area, then down the trail directly across Chuckanut Drive to the sweet little cove called Clayton Beach. We'd never been before, and it's a lovely, quiet little gem. The way is mostly flat except for a few short inclines and declines. The Fairhaven Interurban is nicer, IMHO, than either the Burke Gilman, Sammamish Slough, or Snohomish/Shoreline interurban trails because it is largely unpaved, is well treed with Doug fir, maples, cedars and alders, plus ferns, and has peek-a-boo views of the San Juans and Samish Bay. Not too many people. The trail down to Clayton Beach is in the process of being fixed up, so there were some piles of yet-to-be-spread gravel along the way. These are easily passed through, and the private-seeming cove that you arrive at is well worth the half-mile hike. Fall colors were out along the Interurban. We passed a number of bikers and runners, all friendly. We spent 4 hours total, including lunch at the cove and hiking under the influence of jet lag (which I imagine is a bit like having a psychedelic experience). Happy hiking, All!

Took a lovely evening urban hike in a full loop around Lake Ballinger. Currently, the grassy area on the north end of the park is closed to walkers due to an exciting wetland restoration project by the Army Corps of Engineers. So, after walking north on the Interurban (stopping frequently to admire dahlias and pick ripe blackberries), we took a right on 228th and entered Lake Ballinger Park.

The path on the east side of the lake is still open amidst the construction and leads to a brand-new accessible playground, as well as the dock and boat launch. There's a spot where you can rent kayaks with your phone. 

We took a quick jaunt across the golf course (giving the few late-evening golfers plenty of space), headed west on the sidewalk down Hwy 104, then north on Meridian to get back home. 

TL;DR the dahlias are huge, the blackberries are ripe, and Lake Ballinger is the place to be on a summer evening!

I was able to take advantage of a sunny January Saturday, with temperatures in the mid. 40s F. and super clear skies. I hiked to the Raptor Ridge viewpoint, starting from the North Chuckanut Trailhead. By 9am most of the parking lot and street parking was full. I hiked a loop, see details below, just over 8 miles and about 1,551ft of elev. (overall elev. gain was about 1,920ft), lasting about three hours.

There were a LOT of people utilizing this beautiful day on the mountain. People hiking, trail running, and mountain biking. Lots of dogs, most off leash, but they were all well behaved.

The trail is muddy in places and not bad. Overall the trails are in good condition. It is a little slippery in places, particularly due to mud and leaves at the steeper spots. A few large (12-18”+) blowdowns at varying levels, one on the ground, one at neck level, and another at forehead level. No snow or ice. No bugs. Wildlife observed: a slug, three gray squirrels, heard lots of birds chirping, as well as a heard a frog croaking.

The only cons for me were you can hear the freeway for at least half the time, and the other is the large number of people trying to enjoy the forest, like myself.

The biggest pro for me today, amongst many and very much enjoying this loop hike, was being able to see Mt. Rainier from Raptor Ridge! (In the first photo, you can see the small very distant mound to the right of the sun.)

My loop hike details:

From the North Chuckanut trailhead you’ll start on the Interurban trail. About 0.3 miles in there is a beautiful waterfall running well right now. Not long after I connected to the Chuckanut Falls Trail and followed that trail to the Hemlock trail. Note, I did not go down to the beautiful Chuckanut Falls, since I did that last week.  Once to Hemlock I continued south until I got to the Huckleberry Trail. I hiked the entirety of the Huckleberry Trail and really enjoyed and highly recommend it. Huckleberry ends at the Raptor Ridge trail. I took a left and 0.1 miles later I was at the Raptor Ridge Viewpoint. About 3.9 miles and +1,551 ft. from the trailhead. After throughly enjoying the view I headed back down the Raptor Ridge trail, which I also really enjoyed and found to be a fun descent down to the North Lost Lake Trail. I stayed on North Lost Lake until it terminated into the northern section of the Hemlock Trail, then back to the Interurban trail, and finishing at the North Chuckanut trailhead. What a great day for a hike!!

I made a 7.5 mile loop hiking at least of small portion of a number of trails. First are some general notes and then the loop write-up is after.

I tried starting at Arroyo Park, but the bridge crossing Chuckanut Creek has been damaged and is currently closed.

Even on a rainy January Saturday these North Chuckanut trails are busy. A number of people were trail running. I only came across one mtn. biker.  Others were enjoying the trails with their dog.

Lots of mud on the trails, but nothing bad. I was impressed there really wasn’t much if any standing water on the trails either.  No snow or ice. No bugs.  No wildlife seen. But the mosses, ferns, and funguses are in abundance. Lots of fun varieties.

I was disappointed in the Hemlock and North Lost Lake trails. I think it was the hard gravel surface and the 6-8ft in width (or greater at times). Hard to feel like hiking on a service road. All of the other trails I really enjoyed. I also really appreciated how well marked the trails were.

My loop hike details:

I started at the North Chuckanut trailhead. From there you’ll start on the Interurban trail. About 0.3 miles in there is a beautiful waterfall running well right now. Not long after I connected to the Chuckanut Falls Trail, followed that trail down to the beautiful Chuckanut Falls. The trail stops at about the mid-section of the falls to the north side. I followed the trail back up and took a left (south) heading to Hemlock trail. Once to Hemlock I continued south until I got to the Huckleberry Trail. I really enjoyed the Huckleberry trail. The viewpoint on this trail isn’t much to view, but there is a nice bench. I continued on Huckleberry until it met back up to Hemlock. From there I jumped onto Salal Trail, and then to the Madrone Crest Trail. There are four or five blowdowns on Madrone trail. All are pretty easy to get over, the largest tree being about 12”+ in diameter at about knee height. The Madrone Viewpoint is also not much of a view. But the trail up to it is beautiful. As you gain in elevation the trees, mosses, and landscape changes. At this point I had peaked out in my elevation at about 1,428 ft gained, and now it was basically all downhill back to my truck. I returned back to the Salal Trail and took a left, heading west until I reached the Lower Salal trail (also called Hush-hush trail on Gaia GPS).  I found this section of trail to be fun and entertaining. The Lower Salal trail is a fun adventure! I’d recommend only going down it versus up. I eventually connected to the North Lost Lake Trail which then terminated into the northern section of the Hemlock Trail, then back to the Interurban trail, and finishing at the North Chuckanut trail head. What a trip!

Did the Chukanut-Blanchard traverse today! 

Started out by hiking up to Lizard Lake & North Butte, then back down to lizard lake and over to the british army trail. Then hopped from logging road to logging road over to south lost lake trail and up the rock trail to the Cleator Road viewpoint. Then headed out via the Chuckanut Ridge trail, and made my way onto the interurban trail and over to Fairhaven Park.

Ended up doing 20.1 Miles & 3400ft vert, took 8 hours this included stopping for photos, food, etc. Didn't see many people til on the interurban trail. Lots of cool views offering views to the north and at the twin sister range. Also nice views across the puget sound and the san juan islands. Really fun day, would highly recommend if you can figure out the logistics of cars on either side. Make sure you have some kind of gps app theres lots of trails that lead in all different directions. I use gaia it's free & awesome!