We stated at Arroyo Park's easternmost trailhead along Old Samish Road. We hiked up to the Chuckanut Falls Trail and then the Hemlock Trail, which is an old road. This is where we started getting into the snow/ice. We hiked up Hemlock to the Salal Trail, briefly hiked that and then we hiked up the Madrone Crest Trail. We dropped down to the Lost Lake Trail and hiked that under some cliffs that had absolutely incredible giant icicles and frozen waterfalls. We hiked to Lost Lake, which is frozen over. We followed the trail around the east side of the lake on the little ridgeline that parallels the lake. We passed a large viewpoint of the lake and then reached the lake outlet. From here I made my way down to the waterfall. The way down was slick and results of a fall could prove fatal, so I strongly advise microspikes if you wish to see the waterfall, which was very cool looking with the ice on it! We hiked back to the Lost Lake Trail and then hiked up the Rock Trail, which goes between some massive huge boulders and under some towering overhanging cliffs with more great ice displays! Very cool trail. We reached the junction of a bike trail and continued straight ahead to reach the Cyrus Gate parking lot (under over a foot of snow and closed to vehicles). Here there was a great view out to Vancouver Island, Strait of Georgia, the peaks of BC, and even skyscrapers of Vancouver! We then followed the road briefly until the start of the ridge trail and continued north on that. There is a great view of Mt. Baker and the Twin Sisters. We followed the ridge trail north for what seemed like forever, but it was a fun trail despite lots of ups and downs. Be sure to stay right at any junctions along the ridge. Toward the north end of the ridge there were some great viewpoints looking north to Bellingham an the BC peaks beyond. The trail dropped down off the ridge to the Lost Lake Trail, which is an old road. We went left and hiked down until we reached an unsigned junction at a house. Stay right here (going left is a road leading out to Chuckanut Drive) to compete the loop and get back to the TH. About 12 miles and 6 hours RT. Microspikes strongly advised as there are some pretty icy parts of the trail.

Beautiful day for a hike, went with 4 adults, 2 infants in carriers, a three year old walking, and a Black Lab/Border Collie mix. Had no problems for the first bit of the trail through the Interurban trail system, and there was good signage at a few of the major side trails to show which direction to take. As we got closer to Lost Lake, the trail got pretty muddy in some places. It was not enough to deter us, but had to slow down and ease around the mud on the sides of the trail. Lots of ripe Salmon berries along the whole trail, provided a good amount of energy for us! One thing to note on this hike is that the 4.6 miles is not round trip, it is 4.6 miles from this trailhead to the lake. We continued around the lake a little bit, the water level was pretty low and the waterfall on the north side was nothing more than a trickle, but wound up going about 11 miles round trip.

The road isn't in the best condition, deep potholes and ridges all over. I only saw high clearance vehicles on it although I think if you went slow and carefully you could make it up in a 2wd. I hiked/ran this loop from the Cleator Overlook- up the Chuckanut Ridge via an unmarked trail soon after the TH, uphill and left where the first sign for the Rock Trail indicates to go right. The ridge trail is no fun to run except in a few short sectinos, it's pretty gnarly with lots of roots and rocks to climb around. It's quite impressive that mountain bikers can ride it! Lots of ups and downs here. Then steeply down and right along what looks like an old road to the Lost Lake trail, which also looks like an old road. I had planned to go to Raptor Ridge but Chuckanut Ridge had taken me far longer than anticipated and I was worried about running short on time to catch my ferry and a little concerned about another section of roots and rocks to contend with. I regretfully passed that junction. Too bad as I would have had time! I'll have to go back. I followed the gently graded old road through some muddy sections, contouring west and above Lost Lake and then took the Rock Trail back to the TH. The Rock trail, as you might guess, has a lot of large erratics and heuco looking cliffs. I really enjoyed it. It ends with a series of stairs uphill towards the TH. Route as described about 1500 gain/7.5 miles (Averaged from 3 GPS tracks)

I opted for this hike today since I was by my lonesome and it was icy enough for my car negotiating out of my Camano Island neighborhood! The going is fine from the North Chuckanut trailhead through the fine forests of Arroyo Park and on up the ancient logging road grade become trail that is the route. There are a few sections where it's worthwhile to watch your step on ice and frost, but the going is much easier than my trip to South Chuckanut a couple of days ago. The trail is completely clear once you get to the turn off to Lost Lake. I saw few people today and I had a glorious lunch to myself on my usual sunny perch about halfway up the lake which is just beginning to freeze over. As is beginning to be the usual, I saw more trail runners and trail bikers than hikers today, but all were very friendly and courteous. Driving home I passed the usual insane throngs that frequent the Oyster Dome parking area. There were lots of folks milling about and cars parked anywhere possible with many that were part way into the lane. This parking area is very dangerous and sometime someone is going to get killed or severely injured here. At the very least, the speed limit should be reduced to 15 MPH or something here ala Summerland trailhead. At some point Whatcom County is either going to build a proper trailhead here (although I can't imagine where they'd put it), or more likely, close off this lower trail and require folks to use the upper trailhead instead which would be a shame........shortening this trail by half. In the meantime, let's do what we can to keep this trailhead accessible by parking safely or if that's not possible, go somewhere else!

It was a great day for a grand tour of central and eastern Chuckanut Mountain. In all, I hiked about 13.5 miles. I parked at the North Chuckanut Mountain Trailhead at 9 AM (no pass required) and there were only three other cars in the lot. I set out from there to connect with the Hemlock Trail. There are a lot of intersecting trails near this part of the mountain and it is easy to get disoriented. Basically, you follow the signs for Lost Lake and you will eventually make your way up to the Hemlock Trail. It is a pretty steady climb up to this point. Once you reach the Hemlock Trail, the connection for the North Lost Lake Trail is a short way in on your right hand side. From here, stay on the Lost lake Trail for about 4 miles and avoid any of the signed spur trails. The North Lost Lake Trail is a moderate to steep climb on a wide, rocky trail for about the first two miles but then flattens out and narrows down to a boot trail closer to the lake. Parts of the trail closer to the lake are overgrown and once you arrive at the lake, there do not appear to be any areas with good access. My map indicated that there is a trail that goes around the east side of the lake but I was not able to find it. After a quick snack, I doubled back along the North Lost Lake Trail to the intersection with the Raptor Ridge Trail on the right hand side of the trail. There is a blowdown within the first .25 miles of the Raptor Ridge Trail but otherwise the trail is in good shape. It winds along the mountain with a moderate grade and a few switchbacks until reaching a spur trail for the viewpoint. I stopped at the viewpoint for some pictures and then proceeded back to the Raptor Ridge Trail and followed it to the intersection with the Hemlock Trail and followed the Hemlock Trail to Cedar Lake. I then doubled back and followed the Hemlock Trail for about 4 miles as it descended to the parking area.