Hiking is a highly popular activity in Whatcom County because of the vast amount of available trail systems, and the absolutely breathtaking views and surrounding terrain. Whatcom County is one of the greenest areas in the entire nation, and has some of the most expansive and untouched national parks around. The variance in terrain is quite a draw as well. Whether you want to hike along the beach, do a grueling climb to the top of a mountain to see the view, or hike through the wet green of an old growth forest, Whatcom County has it all.
Whatcom County has a number of freshwater lakes available to hike to, and many are open for trout fishing. A few of them have even been stocked with different types of trout and wide mouth bass. If you are an avid fisher, then you may want to check out Fragrance Lake, Silver Lake or Lost Lake. If you just want to enjoy the cool clear waters of a secluded lake in the mountains, try the short but extremely rewarding hike up to Pine and Cedar Lakes. While you’re there, make sure to stop at the viewpoint. You can see the all the way to bay and the San Juan Islands from there.
If you are dog lovers, then Whatcom County is right for you. There is nothing more fun than taking your dog on a long hike up a mountain to tucker them out. There are a number of dog-friendly hikes throughout Whatcom County, including the Hovander Homestead Park Trail and the Tennant Lake Wetlands Trail. There are also lots of fun, easy hikes for people with children who want to experience the great outdoors. For example, the Heliotrope Ridge Trail was featured in Best Hikes for Kids: Western Washington and the North Cascades. It is a beautiful 4.5 mile hike through the unique old growth forest so prevalent in Whatcom County. There are three river crossings, and hikers also stroll through meadows filled with flowers along the way, where marmots and other wildlife are popular. The end of the hike spits you within a stone’s throw of a live glacier, which makes for a great educational opportunity for your younger ones. The views of Mt. Baker are also pretty spectacular from that vantage point.
One of the most famous and incredible hikes in Whatcom County is the hike to the Oyster Dome. It begins in a quiet second-growth forest for about 2 miles before opening up to the bat caves. They are really quite impressive to poke your head into, but don’t go too far! At the end of this 6.5 mile hike, you reach the top of the Oyster Dome, and it comes out to a cliff with absolutely phenomenal views. From this viewpoint, you can see the Skagit River weaving out to sea, the Olympic Mountains and the San Juan Islands. This is a great hike to do in winter as well, as the snow on the surrounding mountains and forests make for a breathtaking picture.
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Badgely