In such a beautiful place as Bellingham there are plenty of recreational oportunities available. Every where you turn there is something to do. Whether its golf, horse riding or even ultimate frisbee.

RIDINGSunset Farms Equestrian Center
Located in the City of Bellingham this 79-acre facility is dedicated to equestrian activities, there is a large open field with cross country jumps. Various trails meandering through the facility. There are some good hills to go up and down and a sturdy bridge to cross.

Check out these articles at the Bellingham Herald for recent trail updates!

SNOW SPORTSMt. Baker offers a wide variety of downhill routes, 31% of which are rated expert terrains. For those who wish to avoid the lifts, there is also Cross-country skiing, sledding, and snow-mobiling, and snow-shoeing.

Ski operation hours are daily November-April 9 AM – 330 PM. (Opening and closing ski days depend on snow conditions.) Lift tickets range in price from $27.40 for half a day midweek to $39.46 for an all-day weekend or holiday pass. Visit www.mtbaker.us for more details and current conditions.

GOLFThere is nothing better to do on bright sunshiny day than to spend it with your family on a golf course. Have fun and spend quality time with people around you. There are many opportunities to play this relaxing sport with 9 public golf courses within 18 miles of Bellingham.

Avalon Golf Club
Avalon Golf Club is one of the most beautiful and unique golf clubs in Washington State. Avalon has three 9-hole courses, making it the complete golf experience.
Located just south of Bellingham, exit 236 off Interstate-5. Turn left on Bow HIll Road and follow down the hill to the stop sign. At the stop sign turn right onton Old Highway 99 & follow for two miles to Kelleher Road. Turn left on Kelleher Road and follow for almost a mile. Avalon is on the left hand side of the road.
Phone: 360-757-1900 or 800-624-0202

Dakota Creek Golf & Country Club
This facility opened nine new holes during the summer of 1998. The new holes are more open and run up and along a hill, which offers a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean. This course is best known for its wide variety of wildlife, including salmon spawning grounds and nesting bald eagles. Prior to its expansion, the PGA once rated this facility as having the hardest nine hole course in the State of Washington. The scorecard does not show handicaps for individual holes.
Address: 3258 Haynie Rd., Custer, WA 98240
Phone: 360-366-3131

Lake Padden Golf Course
Playing 6,675 yards and carved out of a second growth forest, Lake Padden will wow you with its natural beauty. It is one of the top rated municiple courses in washington and is also home to the Washington Senior Open.

North Bellingham Golf Course
“A Real Scottish Style Golf Links” North Bellingham utilizes the natural open fields and rolling landscape to create its beautiful grounds. It offers panoramic views of Mount Baker while challenging players with the prevailing gale winds that sweep across the landscape.

Pro Golf Center Golf Course
This “pitch and putt” course has some trees that can alter your shots, but no other hazards. This is an excellent course for junior and senior golfers. Additionally, this is a good course to work on your short game.
Address: 5022 Guide Meridian Rd; Bellingham, WA 98226
Phone: 360-398-1362

Shuksan Golf Club Rolling greens and steep ridges combine with a winding creek to create this trearsure nestled nearby Bellingham.

Olsen Riverside Golf Course

Raspberry Ridge Golf Course
The 9-hole “Raspberry Ridge” course at the Raspberry Ridge Golf Course facility in Everson, Washington features 2,825 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 34. Designed by William Overdorf, the Raspberry Ridge golf course opened in 1984. John Olson manages the course as the General Manager.
Address: 6827 Hannegan Rd.; Everson, WA 98247
Phone: 360-354-3029

Sudden Valley Golf Course

BELLINGHAM TRAILS

Boulevard Park / South Bay Trail – 2 miles of trail
Waterfront park with great views of Bellingham Bay. Trail connects Fairhaven District to downtown Bellingham with a section of the boardwalk over water. Best access is at the park or in Fairhaven at 10th & Mill St.

Cornwall Park – 1.5 miles of trail
Wooded park with many recreational amenities. Excellent for viewing a wide variety of trees and Squalicum Creek. Display rose garden during summer. Take I-5 exit 256 and drive 1/2 mile south on Meridian St.

Fairhaven Park
1/2 mile loop within park, and beyond Adjacent to Padden Creek, this park features many recreational amenities. The loop trail connects with the Interurban Trail. Located 1/2 mile south of the Fairhaven District, on Chuckanut Drive.

Lake Padden Park – 2.6 miles around lake
Trail skirts this serene city park lake. There’s also 5 miles of bridal and mountain bike trails. Take I-5 exit 252 & drive southeast 2 miles.

Interurban Trail
9 miles of trail that connects the Fairhaven District with Larrabee State Park, running adjacent to Chuckanut Drive most of the way. Switchbacks go through Arroyo Park, or you may skirt around the park on paved roads if bicycling. There are trailheads with parking in Faihaven Park, on Old Fairhaven Parkway, Old Samish Highway and Chuckanut Dr.

Railroad Trail
A gentle grade of 3 miles of trail through neighborhoods. Connects Memorial Park with Bloedel Donovan Park. Views of the bay from the bridge. There are several access points or begin at one of the parks.

Sehome Hill Arboretum – 5 miles of trail system
Wooded hill adjacent to Western Washington University. View of bay from observation tower at the summit. May drive to the top of the hill and park. I-5 exit 252, left on Bill McDonald Pkwy. & right on 25th St.

Whatcom Falls Park – 5 1/2 miles of trail
Trails braid around Whatcom Creek in this woodland park. Features a water fall and old stone bridge. Connects with Bloedel Donovan Park at Whatcom Lake. Take I-5 exit 253 and drive 2 miles east on Lakeway Drive.

Zuanich Point Park – 1 mile of trail
Paved trail runs from Hotel Bellwether around the harbor to Zuanich Point Park. Beautiful views of the bay and boats. Restaurants. Parking.

COUNTY TRAILS

Hovander Homestead Park / Tennant Lake (Ferndale) – 4 miles of trail
A 1 1/2 mile trail & boardwalk meanders through a wetland marsh at Tennent Lake. Climb a viewing tower, too! A 1/2 mile trail connects the lake with Hovander’s “big red barn.” There are also 2 miles of trail running along the river dike of the Nooksack River. Take I-5 exit 262 and head west toward Ferndale on Main Street. At the railroad underpass turn south onto Homestead Road and follow the signs.

North Lake Whatcom Park / Hertz Trail (Bellingham) – 3 miles of trail
A level scenic lakeside trail snuggled tightly between Stewart Mountain and Lake Whatcom. Drive around the north end of the lake and almost to the end of North Shore Road to get to the parking lot and trailhead.

Semiahmoo Spit Trail (Blaine) – 3/4 miles paved and 3/4 mile beach walk
Easy paved trail with scenic water views next to Semiahmoo Resort. Great for a family bike ride with young children, or for bird watching. And, venture to the other side of the spit for a beach walk. Take I-5 exit 270 and follow the signs to Semiahmoo Resort (about 9 miles).

Stimpson Family Nature Reserve (Sudden Valley) – 3 mile loop trail
Stroll through a dense forest and past a large beaver pond. Cougars have been sighted in the area so pay attention. Water crossings have new wooden bridges. Take Lakeway Drive east from the freeway. Stay right on all the forks in the road until you see the sign for Lake Louise. Turn right on Austin Road (turns into Lk. Louise Rd.) and follow it 1.6 miles to a small signed parking area on the left.

CHUCKANUT MOUNTAIN & LARRABEE STATE PARK TRAILS
There are seveal trails on Chuckanut Mountain which is located between Chuckanut Drive HIghway 11 and Interstate 5. The trails listed are accessed on the west side of the mountain. Some trails can be reached via I-5 exit 240. Some of the parking lots have a $5 fee. (Miles listed are one way)

Fragrance Lake (1.9 miles / 3 km)
This popular trail is relatively steep, and takes you to the lake. There is a nice overlook at 9/10 of a mile. Paid parking across from the Larrabee State Park entrance.

Pine & Cedar Lakes (2-3 miles)
Steep for 1.5 miles, then levels off on an abandoned railroad grade. Outstanding alpine-type lakes, and vistas of Bellingham, Mt. Baker and the islands at an overlook near the lakes.

Chuckanut Ridge Trail (4 miles)
This trail meanders along the mountain ridge and offers great views. An easy way to access it is to drive up a dirt road so you’re already at the top! From the Fairhaven District, drive south on Chuckanut Drive for about 4 miles. Turn left onto Highline Road (just before the fire station). This road veers left becoming Cleator Road. Drive for about 3 miles to the parking area. From here the trail heads north. It connects to other trails, so keep an eye on where you’re going. Also, there is a gate that is locked at dusk.

Clayton Beach (1/2 mile)
A nice short trail to the beach. Trail begins from Chuckanut Drive just south of the Larrabee Park entrance.

Lost Lake(4.5 miles)
In the spring, there are lots of interesting wildflowers including Wintergreen, Calypso Orchids and Coralroot. We also saw some large snails and a rough-skinned newt. The trail itself is in forest with few views of anything else. You will walk parrallel to the lake for a long distance with only teasing views. Once you get there, the shoreline is very boggy and not much to do. It is not a popular trail so likely you will have it to yourself. Be careful of the thick stands of stinging nettle lining both sides of the trail on the Lost Lake part.
Directions: Drive south from Bellingham on Chuckanut Drive. Park at the Fragrance Lake Trailhead. This is a fee area. Take the Fragrance Lake Trail to a junction at about 2 miles. Take the trail to the right instead of to Fragrance Lake and walk about 200 feet down an old logging road. The Lost Lake trail will be on the left. When you get to a white gate, go around it and you will be on the 2 mile trail down to the lake. In the rainy season, there are some waterfalls. The lake does not have much of a shoreline, lots of boggy areas around it.

MT. BAKER TRAILS
The Mt. Baker Highway is a designated “Scenic Byway” and begins at I-5 exit 253 in Bellingham. In winter, the road ends at milepost 55 at the ski area. In summer (around mid-July), the road is cleared of snow to Artist Point at milepost 58, and most trails are snow-free through fall. Here is a short list of popular, and easy to moderate hikes in the Mt. Baker area. Pick up a copy of the Ranger District’s North Cascades Challenger at the Visitors Bureau for more hikes and details about the Mt. Baker area. Note: There is a fee to park at National Forest trailheads and the Heather Meadows area at the end of the Mt. Baker Highway under the Northwest Forest Pass program. $5 for a day pass, $30 for an annual pass.

Glacier Area Trails (miles listed are one way)

Cougar Divide (3.25 miles)
The road to the trailhead is a bit scary but the trail is well worth the effort. Not many take this route which parallels the more popular Skyline Divide Trail to the west. There are interesting volcanic rock formations and lots of snow-melt ponds.
Directions:From Bellingham go east on the Mt. Baker Hwy (Hwy 542) to just past milepost 40. Turn right on Wells Creek Rd (#33). Continue past Nooksack Falls to a junction in the road. Make a hard right and follow this for 6 miles to a bridge. The road is poorly maintained past this point. Go 6 more miles to another junction and stay left. You will come to a fork in the road right after this, take the right fork to the trailhead on the left. The trailhead is not marked but easy to find. NOTE: This road is closed between November 1st and July 7th to protect wildlife.

Goat Mountain (4 miles)
The trail is in good condition all the way up the steep trail through the woods. It is a little overgrown when it opens up into the meadows. The views of other Cascade peaks are supposed to be spectacular on a clear day. Goat Mountain has two summit peaks. The trail goes up right between them. You can continue on up to the summit. There is a 2000 ft elevation gain.
Directions: From Bellingham, go east on the Mt. Baker Hwy (542). It is 31 miles to the Glacier Public Service Center. Go 13 miles further and turn left on Forest Service Road 32. Stay left at the fork a little over a mile and go a total of 2.5 miles to the trailhead on the left. A NW Forest Service Pass is required to park at the trailhead.

Heliotrope Ridge (3 miles)
For the best and closest views of glaciers this moderate hike also features forests, flowers, streams and waterfalls. Usually open mid-July through October (depending on snow melt).
Directions: Drive to milepost 34.3, turn right on Glacier Creek Rd. #39. Drive 8 miles on this narrow winding road to the trailhead.

Horseshoe Bend (1.5 miles / 2.4km)
This trail winds along the North Fork of the Nooksack River and is accessible most of the year.
Directions: Park at milepost 35.4 on Mt. Baker Hwy. across from Douglas Fir Campground.

Yellow Aster Butte (3.6-5.0 miles / 5.8-8.0km)
Trail travels through parklands, rock gardens, views of summits, streams, and meadowlands. At the summit of the butte enjoy the full panorama.
Directions: Drive to milepost 46.2 and turn left on Twin Lakes Rd. #3065. Drive 4.4 miles to parking area.

Damfino Lakes (3.0 miles)
Nice hike leads through forested slopes to open meadows by Excelsior Pass passing by Demfino Lakes on the way.
Directions: Mt. Baker HIghway to MP 36, take Forest Road 31, drive 15 miles to the end of the road staying on main route and not forking onto any side roads.

Heather Meadows & Austin Pass Picnic Area (at mileposts 55-56)

Picture Lake (1/2 mile / .8 km)
This short easy trail, which is also wheelchair accessible, is not short on views. Get your camera out for the spectacular shot of Mt. Shuksan refecting in the lake. It also offers nice fall color.
Directions: Parking is on the Mt. Baker Highway at milepost 55.

Fire and Ice (1/2 mile / .8 km)
This is a self-guided interpretive trail, and is wheelchair accessible. Several other trails also begin at this point.
Directions: Park at the Heather Meadows Visitor Center at milepost 56.

Lake Ann(4 miles in)
The trail starts in cool woods and decends about 2 miles and 800 feet to a lush meadow and Swift Creek. Then the trail switches uphill 1000 feet through boulder fields and meadows. At about 4 miles you reach the saddle above Lake Ann. The close-up view of Mt. Shuksan and its glaciers is unforgetable. Now and again you hear the crack and crash of ice calving off the glaciers and the roar of dozens of waterfalls.
Directions: From Bellingham, go east on Mt. Baker Highway (542) for 57 miles to the Mt. Baker Ski Area. If it is open, drive a little more than 1 mile further to the Austin Pass trailhead parking lot on the left.

Artist Point

Artist Ridge (1 mile / 1.6 km)
This self-guided interpreative trail takes you to overlooks with great views of Mt. Baker and other peaks.
Directions: trail begins at the east side of the parking lot at Artist Point.

Chain Lakes Trail (1+ miles / 1.6+ km)
The first mile of this trail is nearly level, although on the side of a steep slope. It takes you to a junction with a closer view of Mt. Baker. At this point the trail splits and ambitious hikers can continue to Chains Lakes or Ptarminagn Ridge (4-5 more miles).
Directions: trail begins at the south west end of the Artist Point parking lot.

Ptarmagin Ridge (4.5 miles)
This area averages about 800 inches of snow a year so always check with the Glacier Public Service Center that the road is open to Artist Point (usually by mid-August). This trail follows the ridge around Coleman Pinnacle to Camp Kiser which is an alternate route up Mt. Baker’s summit. Along the way, be careful to watch for cairn markers to find the trail in the talus slopes. Be careful of bad weather as this trail leaves you out in the open.
Directions: From Bellingham, go east on the Mt Baker Highway 58 miles to the Mount Baker Ski Area. If the its open, go another 2.5 miles to the end of the road at Artist Point. Take the Chain Lakes Trail about 1.2 miles to the junction with Ptarmagin Ridge.

Table Mountain (1.5 miles / 2.4 km)
NO DOGS! The first part of this hike is steep and zig zags up through lava cliffs. (Not recommended for young children). It ends at mountian top with panoramic views.
Directions: Trail begins at the north west side of the parking lot at Artist Point.

Check out these articles at the Bellingham Herald for recent trail updates!

MOUNTAIN BIKINGWhatcom County was rated in the top 10 places to mountain bike in the nation by “Mountain Biking” magazine. With miles of trails and beautiful scenery, Bellingham is a well kept secret for extreme sport enthusiasts. Below are listed several parks and popular trails for both beginners and advanced bikers. You can always choose to go over the log instead of around it!

Lake Padden single track trails

This 5.1 mile single track trail connects with Lake Padden Park trail. Access in park or parking lot on Samish Way about 1 mile south of park entrance.

Civic Field Dirt Jump Track

Located near the skate board park on Puget Street one block south of Lakeway Drive.

Galbraith Mountain

Several trails on Chuckanut Mountain are open to bikers, as well as old logging roads in the county. For complete trail locations and ride details visit Galbraith Mountain Biking

Bellingham Park Trails City

Cornwall Park Trail (1.5 miles) – in Cornwall Park
Interurban Trail (7 miles) – Fairhaven to Larrabee State Park.
Lake Padden Park Trail (2.6 miles) – around the lake.
Railroad Trail (3.5 miles) – King Street to Alabama & Vining St.
South Bay Trail (2 mile) – connects Fairhaven, Boulevard Park, and downtown.
Whatcom Falls Park Trails (3.5 miles) – trails in and around park.
North Lake Whatcom Park “Hertz Trail” (3 miles one way) – runs along the east shore of the lake. Great views and a waterfall.

ULTIMATE FRISBEEBellingham Ultimate!
Enjoy a action packed game of ultimate? Here is your opportunity to have some fun. Every Sunday join in for an intense pick-up game at the Shuksan Middle School or check out the schedule for tournaments.