Oyster Dome, Lily Lake Loop — Saturday, Mar. 22, 2014

We began at the Barrel Springs Rd Upper trailhead on the Lily Lake trail. It is less steep than coming up from Chuckanut Drive and a more interesting route than Max's Shortcut. There were several small water falls and streams along the way. It is also less used than the approach from Chuckanut Drive. On the way up we met two backpackers and three bikers-that was it for people until we got close to the dome. We did a bit of exploring in the area behind and above the dome and found some fascinating boulders and cliffs. When we were about two thirds of the way up a very fine snow began that came off and on a few time but was nearly not even notable. There was a thin coating of ice on Lily lake-about enough for a mouse with ice skates. The skunk cabbage is just pushing through in the swamp near Lily Lake. In a couple weeks they should be in full bloom. The trail is in good condition throughout even with the occasional muddy areas and water.