With this quick escape to nature in the heart of downtown you get an up close look at Whatcom Creek and a behind-the-scenes view of many familiar city buildings.
Starting from Holly St. at the creek's mouth make like a salmon as you work your way upstream through the park, past waterfalls and along the creekside trail. You won't go off course if you faithfully return next to the creek each time you encounter one of the occasional street crossings. Waterside access ends at the Railroad Ave. footbridge.
Retrace your path downstream and once back at the park be sure to walk on the opposite side of the stream so you can tour both sides enjoying views of the salmon ladder, totems and boardwalk promenades.
Over the next 2.3 miles, the narrow but easy-to-follow, rock- and root-studded trail snakes along Chuckanut Mountain's spine, at times offering great views of Mount Baker and the Twin Sisters. Caution: Ridge Trail runs along the top of a 200-foot-high sandstone cliff and some stretches are perilously close the edge so unless you’re the one human being with the ability to fly, don’t bear too far to the right.
At approx. 1.5 miles roundtrip this makes for a great lunch break walk or easy family outing.
http://www.cob.org/services/recreation/parks-trails/trail-guide.aspx
By, Genevie Roguski