Yellow Pages
This 900-acre jewel of a park was built in 1972.
It is popular with outdoor aficionados. These include hikers, mountain bikers, cross country runners and equestrians. Horseback riding, however, is not allowed on the Loop Trail. It is allowed on less-developed trails.
If the weather is good, don’t expect to have Lake Padden all to yourself. On the water, there may be kayakers, swimmers and fishermen. On land, you might find picnickers, baseball and tennis players, folks exercising their dogs, horseshoe throwers, golfers and kids frolicking on the playground.
It’s an area bursting with activity.
Distance: 2.7 miles
Destination: Loop trail
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation gain: None
Getting there: I-5 north to Exit 246 (North Samish Way). At the stop sign, turn left on Samish Way. Continue 2.4 miles to the west entrance of Lake Padden Park. There’s also an east entrance that accesses the park’s playfields, playground, picnic area, off-leash area for pooches and Lake Padden Golf Course.
The Trek: After parking in the west lot, pick up a concrete path that leads to a gravel trail. Once on the trail, proceed left along Lake Padden’s north shore. A plethora of ducks frolic in the lake’s waters.
Pass several benches and a boat launch. At the launch, proceed right.
Trees now border the trail. Strategically located benches allow for views through the trees. The double-wide gravel trail twists along just above the shore. Small openings between trees allow access for bank fishermen.
Reach a picnic area nestled in the trees on the left. Picnic tables and barbecues, while vacant this time of the year, will be a hub of activity once warmer weather arrives.
A dock allows hikers, boaters and fishermen to venture onto Lake Padden’s waters. The dock is a scenic perch that allows an unobstructed view of the lake. Back on the trail, go right.
At a fork, proceed right, crossing over a bridge spanning a stream. Just past this point, the trail skirts around a large picnic area, complete with a covered shelter, playground, restrooms and basketball courts. Just past this area is an off-leash area for dogs — a bark park, if you will, than includes water access for those breeds that crave water.
Get your bearings from a large map and continue along the outfield fence of a baseball diamond.
At an intersection, proceed right, then take another right around the lake’s east end. Doubling back, trek along the lake’s south shore.
Head up a hill, continuing straight at an intersection. This section of trail is much wilder than its north shore. The banks are steep and covered with brush, and the hillsides are covered in ferns.
Gusts of wind cause trees to creak along the path. Shady and cool, the path boasts several muddy sections in low spots. Continuing to rise and fall, the trail passes old stumps, and large Douglas fir and cedar trees.
The trail bends right before heading up a steep hill, reaching a new section of puncheon. A small slide all but obliterated the path, but it has since been rebuilt.
Pass a small map on a post and continue on. The way bends right then left before descending and heading deeper into the forest and past marshland.
The trail soon changes from double to triple wide. The sun manages to filter through the canopy here and there.
Stay to the right at the next intersection, passing another map on a post as well as a trail for equestrians on the left before returning to the shoreline. A large weir controls the waters of Padden Creek, whose headwaters begin at this point. The weir is a large, concrete structure.
Rounding the lake’s west end, several more benches allow for length-of-lake views. From here, the snow-capped Chuckanuts can be seen in the distance.
At the next intersection, go right. Pass a concrete picnic area located on somewhat of a pier. Tennis courts are on the left. The picnic area soon gives way to a large marsh that extends into the lake.
Make your way past the bath house. Several comerants stop atop pilings out in the lake, drying their wings.
From here, a quick jog left leads back to the parking lot and rig.
Lake Padden Loop Trail
Last Updated: March 12, 2009 - 09:30 AM
Vince Richardson
Lake Padden’s waters are never far from the trail.
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