The area boasts a plethora of trails as well as waterfalls for hikers to enjoy. This loop trail is just a portion of what is available.

The Trek: After parking in the lot, head out on the Whatcom Park Trail. It’s a combination of hardpan and pavement.

Round a curve and enter Scudder Pond Nature Preserve. The 2.8 acres that make up the area were donated to the North Cascade Audubon Society in 1987 and have been under its watchful eye since. It’s obvious why the society was interested in the land. Bird species such as the bushtit, northern flicker, spotted towhee, black-capped chickadee, pileated woodpecker and house finch inhabit the area.

At the end of the preserve, the trail becomes the Railroad Trail.

It’s a short distance before a trail dives to the left. This is the Scudder Pond Loop Trail. One can take this now or leave it for the return. I chose to traipse upon it on the return.

Railroad Trail continues to widen as it rolls past ferns and leafless trees.

Reach the first of many junctions. Going straight leads to the Whatcom Creek Trail. The Railroad Trail continues to the right. And left is the trail from Bloedel-Donovan Park.

Proceed to the left. In less than 100 yards, reach a bridge spanning Whatcom Creek. Just before it lies the terminus of the Scudder Pond Loop Trail. That will be taken on the return route.

On the other side of the bridge lie trailheads for the Bellingham Fish Hatchery and Whatcom Falls Park.

Retracing your steps back up the hill from the bridge, another trail darts to the left. Take this trail and descend to just above the banks of the creek. The trail narrows to single track as it makes its way along a lush hillside.

Continue through a wetland area and head uphill. Looking to the left, the remnants of an old railroad trestle can be seen through the branches of massive cedar and Douglas fir trees.

At the next junction, go left on the Wayside Trail Overlook to get a closer look at the decaying trestle. The approach is upon rotting railroad ties that long ago supported tracks and trains.

The Wayside Trail Overlook ends at the trestle. A lone stretch of rail hangs in midair, seemingly reaching out in a vain attempt to once again span the creek.

Returning to the main trail, retrace the route back to the Scudder Pond Loop Trail. Descend a staircase and hit the single-wide path.

The understory is a mere inches away from swallowing the path.

Pass a dam that regulates the water leaving Scudder Pond. A small overlook allows for a clear view of the pond, as well as a glimpse of the lake beyond.

Continuing on, a huge rootball belonging to a freshly downed cedar borders the trail. It’s an obvious victim of vicious storms.

The trail terminates at the Railroad Rail. Proceed right and return to the rig.

Distance: 1 mile

Destination: Loop trail

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation gain: Minimal

Getting there: I-5 to Exit 253 (Lakeway Drive) in Bellingham. At the bottom of the ramp, turn right on King Street. At the stoplight, turn left on Lakeway Drive and proceed 1.7 miles. Go left on Electric Avenue. Continue on for 0.4 miles. Pass Bloedel-Donovan Park. The trailhead and parking lot are on the right. The lot is not large, so options may be limited on weekends and sunny summer days.