SKAGIT AUDUBON MARCH 2010 HIKING SCHEDULEBy Joan Melcher |
Five hikes are scheduled for March. Unexpected circumstances such as unforeseen trail problems, weather, snow, land slides, floods, logging, construction, or road conditions may cause cancellations or changes in the following hikes. A hike will be canceled if there are high wind warnings, flooding conditions, or snowy or icy road conditions. If you have questions or want information on any of the hikes, call JOAN MELCHER, 360-424-0407, or e-mail.
All the hikes are on a Wednesday. Dogs are discouraged on Audubon-sponsored hikes. If dogs are on a hike, they must be on a leash at all times.
MARCH 3 LILY LAKE LOOP: Hike the Lily Lake Trail to Lily Lake and North Butte on Blanchard Mountain. Return to trail head via Max’s Shortcut and the Larry Reed Trail. It is an 8.5 mile loop, with a 1,600 ft. total elevation gain. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the I-5/Cook Road Park-n-Ride. Return to the trailhead at 2:30 p.m.
MARCH 10 GOOSE ROCK PERIMETE: Hike a loop that includes Cranberry Lake, beaches, the south side of Deception Pass, Cornet Bay and a 450 foot climb up Goose Rock. Total elevation gain for the day is 750 feet. Meet at 9 a.m. in the east side parking lot at Cranberry Lake near the main entrance to Deception Pass State Park. There are 6.2 miles for the basic loop hike; add 4.0 miles if you hike on beach south to the naval station border (10.2 miles). You may leave when your car of people has returned to the trailhead.
MARCH 17 LOST LAKE: Hike to another mirror lake in a rock trench on Chuckanut Mountain. It is a 10 miles round trip, 1,900 ft. to 2,400 ft. total elevation gain, if you start and end at the Clayton Beach parking lot. 9.7 miles is one way with shuttle cars, 1,000 ft. total elevation gain, if you start at the Fragrance Lake trail head at the lower gate on Cleator Road* and end at the North Chuckanut parking lot.
- FOR THE 10 MILE HIKE, meet at 8:30 a.m. at the Clayton Beach Parking lot at the south end of Larrabee State Park off Chuckanut Drive. Return time for this option will be 2:30 p.m. at the Clayton Beach parking lot.
- FOR THE 9.7 MILE HIKE, meet at 9:00 a.m. at the North Chuckanut Parking lot located on the east side of Chuckanut Drive between the Old Samish Highway and California Street. This is about at milepost 18.5. Carpool from here to the trailhead on Cleator Road. *Return time for this option will be 2:30 p.m. at the North Chuckanut parking lot. (*Cleator Road is closed beyond the first gate due to washouts.)
MARCH 24 PINE AND CEDAR LAKES AND/OR RAPTOR RIDGE: Hike to two very pleasant lakes in the Chuckanut Mountain area. It is up to 9.6 miles one way with shuttle cars. There is a 1,900 ft. total elevation gain. The 1.7 mile uphill route from the Pine/Cedar Trailhead is steep. The 4.0 mile down-hill route via the Hemlock Trail back to the North Chuckanut parking lot is less steep and will lead to Arroyo Park, the Interurban Trail, and finally the North Chuckanut parking lot. On the way down pass side trail to Raptor Ridge. Other hike options are available. Meet at 9:00 a.m. at the North Chuckanut parking lot located off Chuckanut Drive just north of California.
MARCH 31 BAKER LAKE TRAIL FROM THE SOUTH: Hike to Maple Grove and Anderson Point. This 8 miles round trip and 620 ft. total elevation gain provide beautiful forests and views of Baker Lake. There will be views of Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan, if the weather is clear. Meet at 8 a.m. on the east side of the Sedro-Woolley Food Pavilion parking lot. There is an estimated 2:30 p.m. return to trailhead. A Forest Service parking permit is required.
APRIL 7 BAKER RIVER: Hike along the Baker River to Sulfide Creek, entering the North Cascades National Park along the way. It is 5 miles round trip, and a 300 ft. elevation. gain. Meet at 8:30 a.m. on the east side of the Sedro-Woolley Food Pavilion parking lot. Northwest Forest Pass (parking permit) is required. There is an estimated 1:30 p.m. return to trailhead.