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Vince Richardson

Geneva Pond is within the Stimpson Family Nature Reserve east of Bellingham.

The reserve includes the 138-acre Lake Louise Natural Resource Conservation Area owned by the Department of Natural Resources, and 196 that were donated to Whatcom Land Trust in 2000 in memory of Edward K. and Catherine C. Stimpson by their seven children. The remaining 34 acres are jointly owned by the city of Bellingham and Whatcom County.

Just a quick warning. In recent years, cougar sightings have been on the increase in the area. Keep a keen eye out for the predator. On my trek, the most vicious beast encountered was a rather disgruntled pileated woodpecker.

Also worth noting is that the first part of the trail is wheelchair accessible.

Distance: 2 miles

Destination: Loop trail

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation gain: Minimal

Getting there: I-5 to Bellingham. Take the Lakeway exit. Head east on Lakeway Drive. After about three miles, Lakeway Drive becomes Cable Road. Pass a fire station on the right, then a blinking yellow light hanging over the road. The next intersection is Austin Street/ Lake Louise Road. Turn right and continue 1.6 miles. A boulder-lined gravel parking lot is on the left.

The Trek: After parking in the lot and securing the vehicle, set out down the path. As is usually the case in the Northwest, big trees are a staple. Gigantic cedars tower high above the trail.

It’s a short distance before an overlook is reached. A bench of polished stone allows hikers to take in the beaver pond that spills out below. Moss-covered snags and brackish water are a mainstay of the area.

Cross a small stream and head uphill on a trail of packed dirt that is nearly as hard as pavement. Cross another stream on a footbridge, then switch back deeper into the forest.

At an intersection, a sign proclaims the Main Loop Trail (which will be highlighted at a later date). To continue on to the Geneva Pond Trailhead, proceed left. Descend into a lush green valley of trees, stumps and ferns. Another bridge spans a flowing stream. On its banks, bright yellow blooms of skunk cabbage break up the green monotony.

The farther one proceeds, the larger the trees seemingly become.

After walking below a rock face, another intersection is met. Proceed to the left for the Geneva Pond Loop Trail. From this point, the route will cover 1.2 miles.

Head uphill into a twisted world of bent and broken arbors. This area was hit hard by recent storms. Walk under a huge cedar and run underneath a teetering widow-maker — a big tree leaning precariously against another.

This is not a section of trail on which to dally. It’s only a matter of time before things come crashing down.

The trail continues to skirt a hillside. Look closely for signs of spring. Several western trilliums were in bloom, the white petals standing out against the dark brown backdrop.

Pass a swamp on the left before encountering a huge tree lying across the trail. A six-foot section has been removed to allow hikers to pass.

Venturing around a bend, the hillside explodes in a flurry of green ferns.

While crossing a bridge, look upstream to get a glimpse of a waterfall as it plunges over a short slide.

At a fork, proceed left on the Geneva Pond Loop Trail. The trail to the right is the return route. The waters of the pond can be seen just through the trees on the right.

If there is a low spot in this area, it is going to be full of water.

The trail runs along a ridgeline bordered by the pond on the right and a swamp on the left. The distinct smell of skunk cabbage fills the area.

Trek upon a portion of repaired trail, then pass a tree that is growing out of slab of rock.

The pond can now be clearly seen from the trail. An old brick retaining wall keeps the hillside from coming onto the trail.

A sharp turn to the right leads to the pond’s west end, where another polished-rock bench awaits. On this day, several duck species frolicked on the pond. Mallards and wood ducks patrolled the waters.

Continue up a small hill on the pond’s north shore, then cross a bridge spanning a large outlet stream.

Walk around the pond’s shoreline before crossing the inlet on a bridge. Traipse uphill and reach the intersection previously encountered.

Go left to head back to the rig.