Yellow Pages
Within the 411 acres of Silver Lake Park is something for just about everyone, including a 180-acre lake and miles of hiking and horse trails.
For those who like to fish, there are open stretches of water for trolling, quiet bays and points with drop-offs for bank fishing, and an abundance of aquatic insects and habitat to challenge the fly fisher. There is a public boat launch and rental boats or canoes are available. There are also extensive day-use areas with tables and barbecues.
The Horse Camp Trail leads to the Gerdrum Historical House and Black Mountain Forestry Center.
The two-story homestead was built by Norwegian settler Embert Gerdrum in 1892-1893. It was home to Gerdrum, his wife, Nellie and their daughter, Hilda. He built the two-story structure from a single cedar tree completely by hand.
The forestry center allows trekkers a glimpse into the logging history of Whatcom County. It features plenty of machinery as well as educational displays. The area is open during summer months for tours. The logging displays can be viewed during the offseason.
The Trek: After parking at the group shelter, set out.
Stop by the interpretive center and pick up a map, then set out. The map isn’t the best. It’s really not much more than a rough-guesstimate. Be prepared for some route-finding.
Walk past the bathhouse and cross the street. The trail begins atop a small berm on the left. The trail is overgrown, so a bit of bushwhacking is necessary.
Reach a paved road right in front of your and proceed right. In about 100 yards, leave the pavement and take the trail to the left.
Plenty of moss-covered trees and ferns border a trail covered in leaves. The path narrows considerably before widening again. In about a quarter mile, the trail borders another paved road.
A sign points left to the park entrance and right to Silver Lake. Continue straight to Horse Camp.
Hike past a pair of huge stumps and continue uphill. A staircase of roots leads to a sharp left at chain link fence.
The trail zig-zags deeper into the forest. The only sound on this day was the rain as it peppered the canopy and splashed to the ground.
Venture up a hill as the trail bends left and continues between the two-halves of sawed log.
Descend into a lush gully containing a forest of cedar trees.
At a fork, go left. Cross the highway and pick up the trail. This is the outskirts of the horse camp.
Trails now dissect the area. Stay straight. At a fork, go right as the trail narrows once again. Wet brush now scrapes along with each step. At the Park Boundary sign, go left.
Hike down hill and in a short distance, burst out into a field. A large horse stable is now on the left. Continue straight, hiking past the stable, and venture out into a much larger field.
Proceed left toward the home of the park manager. Cross the driveway and walk along a mowed portion of a large field toward the Black Mountain Forestry Center and the Gerdrum homestead.
Reaching the forestry center, take time to peruse examples of antique logging equipment.
There are small structures housing examples of a saw house, bunk house, cook house, store, riggin’ shack, timber cruiser, blacksmith shop, etc. These structures are locked for the winter, so plan a return trip during summertime operating hours. There is still plenty to see without viewing their contents.
Old saws, massive choker chains, double-blades axes, large saw blades, thick cables and heavy chains are just a few of the tools of the logging trade that are displayed. There’s even an old Caterpillar.
Continuing along, see growing examples of Western red cedar, Alaska yellow cedar, pacific silver fir, Alaska cedar, Western hemlock and mountain hemlock trees. Learn how to measure a standing tree by using an instrument called a clinometer.
See a portable saw mill and see how not a single portion of a logged tree is wasted. As the informational placard states, “Everthing is used but the shade.”
Complete the loop at the Gerdrum homestead, also closed for the season. Walk down the road, cross the highway, re-enter Silver Lake Park and head back to the rig.
Distance: 3 miles
Destination: Gerdrum Historical House
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation gain: Minimal
Getting there: Take exit 255 on I-5 (Sunset Drive /Mt. Baker Hwy-Highway 542). Travel east 28 miles to the small town of Maple Falls. Turn left at Silver Lake Road. Travel 31⁄2 miles and turn right into Silver Lake Park. Park in the lot for the group picnic shelter.
Horse Camp Trail
Vince Richardson
The horse trail eventually leaves the woods for open fields.
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