Distance: 5.2 miles

Destination: Pine/Cedar lakes

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation gain: 1,400 feet

Getting there: Follow I-5 northbound to exit 246 (North Lake Samish). Turn right (east), cross the freeway, and in 0.3 miles, turn right onto Old Samish Road. Go 2.7 miles to the trailhead parking lot located on the left.

If you go: The trailhead parking lot is large. There is a privy as well as an informational kiosk complete with a detailed map of the area. Of course, the map is behind glass, however, the signage along what could be a rather confusing myriad of trails is definitely adequate.

The trailhead leads to numerous destinations besides Pine and Cedar lakes. It’s also the route to Raptor Ridge, Madrone Crest, Huckleberry Point, Chuckanut Ridge, North Lost Lake, Interurban and North Chuckanut trails

The first mile of this hike is an absolute grind. No switchbacks, just pure elevation gain up into the beautiful Chuckanut Mountains.

The trail along this stretch is actually an old skid road. Back in the day, logs were skidded down the mountainside on their way to the mills.

Today, loggers have been replaced by hikers in search of a couple of mountain lakes and other remote destinations.

Just take your time and try to enjoy all the foliage along the uphill trek, including trees such as maple, cedar and hemlock.

If the weather has been wet, expect mud and lots of it as well as plenty of standing and running water.

While Cedar Lake can be circumnavigated upon a combination of trail and boardwalk in 0.4 miles, Pine Lake’s path seems to simply peter-out. Trekking around its entirety means a combination of route-finding and bushwhacking, not to mention plenty of boot-soaking sections of swamp.

The Trek: After parking in the lot, hit the trail. You should know by now what to expect — incline and lots of it.

Find the trailhead marker and set out up the abandoned gravel road. At a wide, sweeping turn to the left, reach a rather precarious spot. A large tree clings to the hillside by a couple of large roots. The ground that once supported its mass has sloughed away.

Continuing to climb, venture underneath a snag that spans the trail. The path narrows before flattening out for a short distance as it parallels a small gully on one side and a steep rock face on the other.

Don’t get to used to the respite as the trail bends to the right and begins to climb once again. Near the top of the pitch, a small falls comes into view on the left. The water fans out over a boulder’s smooth face before continuing down the ravine.

After a sweeping turn to the right, the path continue through the forest. Streams, trees and ferns are constant companions along the way. Eventually arrive at what a hiking acquaintance aptly dubbed the “You made it log.”

Just past the log reach an intersection. For Pine and Cedar lakes, continue to the left. The path immediately borders a marsh on the left.

Then pass through an area resembling a war zone. Toppled trees litter the landscape. The trail twists and turns through the carnage. Adding to the destruction, reach a section of forest ravaged by fire. Several stumps bare the scars left by the fire.

Switch back to the left and then to the right before the trail levels out once again.

At the next intersection, follow the sign and continue straight. Crossing over a stream look through the woods and see a portion of the massive rock walls that are synonymous with the Chuckanut’s. There are also plenty of large stumps, complete with springboard notches. Loggers had their work cut out for them falling many of the Goliath’s found along the route.

The trail continues to climb as it reaches a major intersection. Proceed to the left.

Fairly level, the trail makes its way along a hillside. The next intersection sends you toward Pine Lake. It’s 0.4 miles to the waters edge. Going left leads to Cedar Lake and will be taken upon returning.

Continuing straight, the trail becomes single track as it makes its way through the woods. Go straight at the next intersection as well. Left leads once again to Cedar Lake.

The path turns to muck as standing water fills every low spot. The forest continues to impress with each step along the rock- and root-strewn trail. Step over a massive length of cable, abandoned by loggers decades ago, and begin to descend.

Round a bend and reach Pine Lake.

Venture to the shoreline via a series of plank walkways. At a ‘T’ intersection, go right upon a wooden trail that serpentines its way along the lake’s southwest shoreline. At the time of this writing, the lake’s south end was frozen solid with ice several inches thick. Reach a campsite moments before the trail peters out. A bench at a fire pit makes for a perfect place to stop and enjoy lunch.

Ducks frolic on the portion of the lake that is iced-out, sending ripples through the surrounding trees’ reflections.

Returning to the intersection, continue straight on the boardwalk.

A trail to the left leads up into a rock fall where a primitive privy is located.

Wind through trees, tall grasses and weeds before hopping from the boardwalk onto a narrow strip of land. A campsite is located here, on what is basically a rib of rock covered by foliage.

At the campsite, go right to proceed through thick vegetation to reach the point. Directly on the right, across a decent size portion of the lake is the shoreline you were just walking along. Continue around the point, passing several trails blazed by fishermen leading to the water’s edge.

Arriving back at the campsite, hop back onto the boardwalk and retrace your steps back to the intersection for Cedar Lake.

Once at the intersection, go right and immediately descend. Another thick logging cable lies partially buried in the path. On the right, a massive rock face towers high above. Ramble through the forest before reaching a staircase. Cedar Lake can be seen through the trees. At the base of the elongated staircase, reach the marshy shoreline of the lake and another boardwalk.

At its ‘T’ intersection, proceed to the right. Continue past an old snag with a hole in its root ball about three feet wide. It’s as if someone carved out the center section in order to get a view of the lake beyond. Looking through the ‘porthole’ makes for an interesting perspective as the lake appears to be set in an earthy frame.

Trekking on, numerous species of fungi can be found along the route. Pass a colony of artist conk on a downed log.

A post with a tent carved into shows the way to another primitive campsite.

Logs emerge from the lake’s waters while still others lie submerged in jumbles, looking like matches spilled from a box.

Reach a fire circle, around which three very sturdy benches have been built. Another bench is located across the trail on the lake’s shore.

The boardwalk narrows to about six inches wide. Make each step a calculated one in order to stay dry. A clearing allows for an unobstructed view of Cedar Lake, which happens to be smaller than Pine Lake.

As the trail rises slightly, a section of older boardwalk can be seen just below the surface of the lake.

Another stretch of boardwalk leads to the south end of the lake. Here, a massive boulder emerges from the brush. A bench sits directly below its hulking mass.

From this vantage point, Cedar Lake can be seen in its entirety. On this afternoon, its water’s were glass-like. Not a ripple to be found.

Continuing around the lake counterclockwise, another intersection is soon met. Proceeding right leads to the ‘Viewpoints’. It’s 0.4 miles to several rock slabs that afford hikers solid views of Cedar Lake, Mount Baker as well as the San Juan Islands from a rather dizzying height. The short side-trip is worth the extra effort.

Returning to the intersection, go right to continue around Cedar Lake, encountering more boardwalk and more mud.

The boardwalk soon doubles its width, and passes a boulder with a large cedar tree growing atop it. The roots creep down the sides of the rock like bony fingers before disappearing into the ground.

At another ‘Y’ intersection, continue left along the lake’s shoreline. Pass a group of benches and a seat carved out of an old stump that surround a centrally located fire pit. Interestingly enough, nailed to a fallen tree is a sign proclaiming fires to be prohibited.

Hike past another bench and head up around an old snag as well as the trail to another primitive privy.

Completing the loop, proceed back from whence you came and retrace your steps back to the rig.