Yellow Pages
This hike picks up from the railroad trestle described in last week’s Hike of the Week.
The Trek: Leave the trestle behind, retracing part of last week’s route. Go left at the trail for Derby Pond. It’s about 0.2 of a mile to the pond. Head down two flights of wooden stairs and past a rather odd cedar tree. Growing directly from a nurse log, the tree has grown in a bizarre shape.
Wind your way along a thick green hillside and cross a footbridge. Bear left and reach the calm waters of the pond. On this day, several ducks were on its surface. There are large grassy areas along the pond’s shore.
Continuing on, the trail leads to a bridge spanning the top of a small diversion dam. The water slides over the smooth surface of the dam before making a more rugged drop over Fish Hatchery Falls. Walk over the wood-planked bridge and once on the other side veer to the right for a closer look at the boulder-strewn area.
Return to the trail and proceed to the right. The trail is now an access road leading past the Bellingham Fish Hatchery. It’s a short distance to the entrance to Whatcom Falls Park.
Wind around on a sidewalk, following the signs to Whatcom Falls. Admire the falls while crossing the stone bridge built in 1940.
Once on the other side, go left on the Gorge Trail. The trail leads along a hillside just above the raucous Whatcom Creek.
Reaching a fork, go left. This short spur trail leads to a small overlook that allows for a clear view of the creek as it makes a sweeping bend. Return to the Gorge Trail and proceed left.
The trail rises and falls just like the creek it follows as it serpentines its way through the forest. Pass a clearing.
Reaching another junction, head toward the Waterline Trail.
This is the spot where a gas pipeline ruptured in 1999. The ensuing maelstrom took three lives, burned a home to the ground and charred the area.
Mother Nature has certainly regrouped since that tragic day. The only signs of the incident are a few burnt stumps.
Cross a wooden footbridge spanning the creek and proceed to the right. The Waterline Trail is aptly named — it follows a cleared swath above a massive system of pipes.
From here, it is 0.6 of a mile to Woburn Street. This section of trail is off-leash for pets. Be warned. Plenty of folks take advantage of the no-leash policy.
I hiked to the intersection with Lakeway Drive before turning around and retracing my steps across the bridge.
After crossing the bridge, go left at the junction. At the next intersection, stay straight on the Lower Gorge Trail.
Below lies another falls with a massive plunge pool. The water only falls about 12 feet, rushing through a narrow gap between two massive rock faces. The plunge pool, however, quickly spans out into an impressive body.
Leave the path and walk out onto a rocky outcropping. Make sure to watch your step. The path is steep and slick and one wrong step could mean a couple of bounces before splashdown.
The stream gathers itself and flows to the left before making a sharp right around another steep rock outcropping. Here, the water swirls and boils before continuing on.
From this vantage point, the water pools on the left, then roars through a narrow, boulder-strewn gorge.
Returning to the Gorge Trail, go to the left. Hike up a staircase and reconnect with the Main Trail. Proceed right. Doubling back on the Main Trail, one now treks upon a double-wide gravel path.
Returning to Whatcom Falls, go left toward Bloedel/Donovan Park. Venturing uphill, Whatcom Falls can now be viewed from above.
A fork branching to the right leads to yet another small falls. A trail leads down to the shoreline.
Rejoining the Main Trail, head uphill. A swamp is on the right. At this point, one can take a slight detour to see the water rushing over the falls below Derby Pond.
Back on the Main Trail, venture uphill using several staircases. A switchback continues the climb.
At the next junction, go left. It’s not long before a major intersection is reached. To the left is Rhododendron Way and to the right Derby Pond. Stay straight. Another right, then a left leads to that first overlook.
Continue straight to head back to the rig.
Distance: 3.2 miles
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 right on Lakeway Drive and proceed 1.7 miles. Go left on Electric Avenue and continue on for 0.4 miles. Pass Bloedel-Donovan Park. The trailhead and parking lot will be on the right just before the intersection.
Whatcom Trail
Vince Richardson
Whatcom Creek flows through a gap in the rocks.
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