It’s no secret that an assortment of national forests, trail heads and mountains surround Western Washington University for members of the community to enjoy. For these Bellinghamsters though, some spots stand out among the rest.
“My favorite destination in Whatcom County is Lummi Island. Even though it’s just a short drive from Bellingham, you feel like you're hours away on a beautiful, remote island,” said Becky Mandelbaum, Communications Manager at Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism via email.
For students without access to a car, the local bus system accesses local trails, including the North Chuckanut Mountain Trailhead.
“From that trailhead … you can get to a whole range of trails, some that are steeper, muddier and go out to some lookouts… and there are also pads low down that are gravel and flatter,” said Katrina Doerflinger, a trip leader at the Outdoor Center and fifth-year student.
The Outdoor Center is an on-campus community that engages students in outdoor activities and shines a light on the areas surrounding Western. The Outdoor Center offers equipment rentals, day excursions and overnight excursions for as little as $5.
Doerflinger also recommends Samish Crest Open Space, located east of campus, for your next adventure.
“There is a lot of awesome trails in there for walking and biking. It’s surrounded by neighborhoods … a great place to see a bunch of dogs.”
Another trip leader, Cora Murphy, said she would recommend “literally anything up Mount Baker Highway”
The Mount Baker Highway grants access to a large range of trails as well as the mountain area itself. It should be noted that access points to Mount Baker Ski Area may be determined by the season.
“There’s old growth forest accessible by the Mount Baker Highway … there is a pullout for about max one or two cars and there's a small social trail [an unmaintained but accessible trail] through a bunch of massive 300 plus year old Douglas Fir trees and I love that spot.” Doerflinger said.
A midday fog rolls over the Fragrance Lake Trail Overlook amid a light drizzle on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Bellingham, Wash. The overlook is a short detour from the main trail and features a beautiful view of Chuckanut and Samish Bay. // Photo by Ayden Sweat
As we head into winter, the Mount Baker Ski Area offers eight ski lifts and two handle tows for skiers and snowboarders. They also have discounted prices on season passes for full-time college students upon proof of eligibility.
Just north of Bellingham is Birch Bay State Park located along the water. It is accessible by car and offers over a hundred campsites as well as trails, beach access and firepits.
“I like to go over to Birch Bay … getting to see that whole area and hangout in nature is rad” said Abigail Anderson, trip leader and fourth-year recreation management and leadership student.
To make things more cost effective, the Whatcom Transportation Authority offers a discounted bus pass for college students. Fellow students also recommend carpooling and bringing your own food.
“For other day trips I would definitely suggest Lake Whatcom and Lake Samish … The views are incredible and can definitely ground students after a hard week at school,” said Annika Bevers, a first-year biology student. “You can walk around and explore the trails or just sit, relax and breathe some fresh air.”
If you’re looking to research your next excursion, the Whatcom County, Washington website includes a rundown of all the trails and parks located in Whatcom County, including their difficulty level and distance.
Visit Bellingham Whatcom County is another great resource for students to utilize. Under their “Adventures” tab is information about parks, trails, snowsports, water adventures, biking and hiking. They also provide information about accommodations for local travel, including campgrounds.
“The best thing about Bellingham is the variety of parks and greenspaces, most of which are completely free to enjoy,” said Mandelbaum. Whatcom Falls, Lake Whatcom Park and Lake Padden are a few places in town you can explore without needing a pass.
Passes and Permits may be required for many of the National Forests trailheads, wilderness areas, picnic areas etc. For more information about obtaining these students can visit the National Forest Service website.
Mossy fences mark the Fragrance Lake Trailhead on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Bellingham, Wash. Fragrance Lake Trail is an ideal day hike in the Chuckanut Recreation Area at four-miles round trip. // Photo by Ayden Sweat
Madrona Raney (she/her), is a reporter for campus life. She is a junior at WWU studying News/Editorial Journalism. She did her first year at Point Loma Nazarene University and was a reporter for them on The Point. During her free time, she enjoys traveling, being outside, making coffee, snowboarding, boating and spending time with friends and family. You can reach her at madronaraney.thefront@gmail.com.
