Yellow Pages
After entering the park, drive through the campground as well as the picnic and day use areas. Drive down a short hill and come to a “T” intersection on Birch Bay Drive. There is plenty of parking along the length of Birch Bay Drive. Just pick a spot.
Distance: 2 1/2 miles
Destination: Loop trail
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation gain: None
Getting there: I-5 north. Take exit 266 (State Route 548, Custer, Grandview Road). Turn west on State Route 548 (Grandview Road). After 6 3/4 miles, turn north on Jackson Road. In three-quarters of a mile, turn west on Helweg Road and enter the park.
The Trek: One can start either along the beach or along the creek. For this writing, I began on the beach because the sun was shining and it was a bit cold. The path along the creek is mostly shaded.
Any stroll along a beach is a good stroll. Birch Bay is scenic with fantastic views of the bay, the surrounding coastline, and the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges.
Rocks can be investigated while beachcombing. Shells are plentiful, as are large pieces of driftwood. Enormous stumps have come to rest along the high tide mark, while smaller logs are scattered here and there.
After walking the length of the beach, cross Birch Bay Drive at its west end. Directly in front of you is the outskirts of Terrell Creek Marsh.
An placard explains the specifics of the wetland and how fresh and saltwater combine to form a thriving ecosystem.
Meander among several stands of trees, as you follow Terrell Creek. It’s only a short distance before a sign is reached. The sign details the area’s history.
The Lummi tribe of American Indians inhabited the area for centuries. The area was called Strav-a-wa, which when translated means “clams.”
In 1792, George Vancouver became the first European to set foot in the area.
He wouldn’t be the last.
The Fraser Gold Rush of 1856 brought many to the area via the Nooksack and Whatcom trails. The first homesteads appeared in 1871.
Douglas fir, grand fir, cedar and hemlock are just a few of the tree species that once towered high above the pounding surf. About 1.5 million board feet of lumber were felled in the area in the early 1920s.
This area received state park designation in 1954.
After gleaning the historical specifics, continue to follow the stream. The air is crisp this time of the year as winter is slowly taking hold.
A number of bridges span the stream. They lead to the campground.
The final placard explains the restoration process the stream has undergone.
Birch Bay/Terrell Creek
Vince Richardson
A big stump lies on the beach at Birch Bay.
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