Oyster Dome — Saturday, Jan. 29, 2000

Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area

Samish Overlook via Blanchard Hill (PNT) Pacific Northwest Trails have done a lot of work on trails around Chuckanut Drive and Blanchard Hill. Everytime I've hiked in the area I've found more evidence of their efforts and it is now possible to string together a bunch of ""little"" hikes to create longer hikes. I chose Samish Overlook because it was a nice day and I wanted a view without having to deal with snowshoes. Drive I-5 north and exit at Alger (exit 240). Go left over overpass and a short distance to Barrel Springs Road, turn left and take a right (west) onto a dirt road (1.5 miles from the freeway). It is signed Blanchard Hill. Drive to the lower trailhead (marked Lily & Lizard Lakes) at 1.6 miles or to the upper trailhead at another 1.6 miles. The trailhead is down the road a bit from the parking area. The trailhead at the upper end of the parking lot descends to the trailhead at the lower parking lot. The trail is mostly in forest and parallels Road B-2000 for about a half mile. There are few views out toward the water. At 1.5 miles reach a junction for the Samish Overlook trail and turn left and at 2.3 miles reach another junction (stay straight). Follow the trail through a rather muddy section and cross Road B-2000. Pick up the tread again as it heads toward the overlook. When conditions are right this a favorite spot for the hang-gliders but today they were sitting in the sun waiting for a breeze that never came. (You can also drive Road B-2000 to the overlook, but it's more fun to hike). There are views to the San Juans and several islands, Samish Island, Mount Constitution and if you walk a little further up the road you can get a look at Oyster Dome, another excellent winter hike. Some sections of the trail are signed PNT (Pacific North Trail) and from Samish Overlook there is a PNT trail that connects to Oyster Dome for those wishing a longer hike. Its about 5.5 miles round trip with less than 700 feet elevation gain, a hike just about anyone can do. For a shorter hike walk Road B-2000 back (turn left when you reach the access road) and walk a short distance back to the parking lot.