Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-… BAT CAVES! Oyster Dome, Blanchard Mountain, the one below Chuckanut, the southern half of Chuckanit—whatevuh! What you’re really mean when you say Blanchard Mountain is Bat Caves. Either you’re going to run to them or to the lookout above them, or both.
Pray tell, what are the Bat Caves? (Besides where Bruce Wayne keeps the Batmobile.) It’s a boulder field at the bottom of a 300-foot rock wall. As for the caves, they’re the nooks and crannies between the boulders and home to Townsend’s big-eared bats. (They’re very sensitive about the big-ear thing so if you see any, try not to stare.)
Here’re routes from two different access points: a trailhead off Chuckanut Drive about 10 miles south of Bellingham, and a trailhead farther east near the hangglider launch site.
Chuckanut Drive Trailhead
Getting There
Head south on Chuckanut Drive for about 10 miles to a roadside pullout on the right about 100 yards north of milepost 10. The trailhead is on the opposite side of the road.
The Trail
After reading the nifty signs informing you that the Rocky Mountains are 883 trail miles to the east, the Pacific Ocean 223 trail miles west, start climbing steeply relentlessly, switchbackingly, and sweatfully. At 1.0 mile, reach a clear-cut area that pays with the first of the island and water views. In a little more than a half-mile, continue straight at an intersection with a somewhat confusing sign.
You’re now on the Samish Connector Trail, which is a bit primitive. Cross some creeks, climb some more and continue straight at another intersection. Climb some more, use your hands as well as your feet if you have to and at 2.3 miles, spot the giant boulder with nearby Ice Age interpretive sign. Scramble on top for a nice Samish Bay view.
Back on the trail, climb some more and in a few hundred yards turn go left at the sign for Talus Trail. Just after crossing a stream, find yourself in a massive jumble of boulders—the Bat Caves. For great views, make for the top of that 300-foot rock wall.
To do so, head back out and go left at the Talus Trail sign. In another quarter-mile, go left on the signed Rock Trail. The top of the Dome is about a half-mile up ahead at 3.5 miles. Views are mega- all-that-is-good—the Olympics, the islands, the Sound, etc. Return the same way.
Hang Glider Launch Site Trailhead
Getting There
Take I-5 to exit 240 and head west on Samish Lake Road. After 0.4 miles, take a left on Barrel Springs Road (following the sign for Blanchard Hill Trail System). At 0.6 miles take a right on B-1000, a somewhat obscure dirt road. A Blanchard Hill sign points the way. Follow this dirt road for about 1.7 miles to a three-way intersection. Take a left on B-2000, another dirt road and head west on an at-times rough dirt road for 2.2 miles. Park at a somewhat vague parking lot. You'll know you're there by the views and the large orange road sign that's nailed to a tree warning Be Prepared to Stop.
The Trail
Find the PNT sign and just beyond it, a trail heading north. Quickly drop about 300 in the first quarter-mile down the Larry Reed Trail and pass through a clear-cut area. Bear right at an intersection with another trail. (The trail described above.) You're now on the Samish Bay Connection Trail.
Traverse the side of a hill and continue straight at another intersection. At about 1.5 miles, start climbing steeply and roughly on somewhat primitive trail. Continue past the giant boulder and the Ice Age interpretive sign and continue the uphill thing. To visit the Bat Caves, go left at the Talus Trail sign; to get to the top, continue straight.
In another quarter-mile, run left on the signed Rock Trail. The top of the Dome is about a half-mile up ahead at 2.3 miles. Views are mega- all-that-is-good—the Olympics, the islands, the Sound, etc.
By, Mike McQuaide