Yellow Pages
Make sure to have an updated map of the area because there are a lot of trails. There are some signs, however, many junctions are unmarked. This trail has some teeth to it. It’s basically uphill.
Distance: 8 miles
Destination: Lily Lake
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 1,000 feet
Getting there: I-5 to exit 240. Turn left on Samish Road, then left on Barrel Springs Road. In 0.7 of a mile, turn right on a signed logging road. Look for the trailhead sign for Lily and Lizard lakes. It will be on the left. Park where you can on the side of the road because there isn’t a bonafide lot.
The Trek: After parking, hop over the culvert, head into the brush and onto the trail.
The trail to Lily and Lizard lakes is well trodden. Use is high when the weather is warm — and even when it isn’t, the Blanchard Mountain area bustles with activity.
It’s a short distance before a large, wooden bridge spanning a raging stream is met. The water cascades over several falls before racing under the structure and disappearing into the woods.
Continue past an old clear cut and reach a big switchback.
The forest’s understory is thick because of the southern exposure. Light filters through the canopy and strikes the flourishing plant life.
Slog through a muddy portion of trail and cross several small streams.
Reach another bridge that crosses a stream bed. This time of the year, the bridge spans a raging torrent.
Meet the notorious Incline Trail. At a fork, continue left past fields of devil’s club. Climb over several logs and scoot under several others.
Pass the sign for Max’s Shortcut and meet up with a larger sign for the Samish Bay Connection. It leads to the Dome Trail, Talus Trail, Oyster Dome and the Overlook Trail, all of which are part of the Pacific Northwest Trail.
Staying straight, come upon a massive beaver dam.
The saying, “busy beavers” fits this scene perfectly. The dam is not only enormous, but is highly effective. It backs up the water for what becomes Lily Lake.
Walk around the north end of the lake, passing several stumps with lots of gnaw marks and several others that are still standing. They have proved a bit much to handle.
Farther on, more beaver dams block several streams as they enter the lake.
Trek upon boardwalk, keeping your feet mud-free as the splendor of the lake unfolds in front of you.
Lily Lake isn’t massive. It appears to be more of an oversized beaver pond than a lake. It has a certain serenity to it, however.
At the far end, there’s a campsite and facilities for those on horseback.
After checking the water in search of an elusive beaver, head back to the rig.
Lily Lake
Vince Richardson
Beavers have made themselves at home at Lily Lake.
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