John Guilford's Hikes

Lake Whatcom and Chanterellle Loop on 2026-02-10

Date: 2026-02-10

Location: Lake Whatcom and Chanterellle Loop

People: (including myself): Happy Hikers

		  		Alt.	Miles
Start:			10:00	370	0
Chanterelle Connector:	11:00	320	1.8
Lake Whatcom Overlook:	11:35	1100	3
Chanterelle Trail:	1:15	2500	5.8
Chanterelle Overlook:	2:30	1150	8.4
End lunch:  		3:00
Finish:			4:00	370	11

We had a beautiful day with sunny blue skies that really showed off the beauty of Whatcom Lake. Some of our group just did the trail along the lake. Others went up to the Lake Whatcom Overlook and then returned. I was with a group doing a longer loop starting at Lake Whatcom and climbing to Chanterelle Trail and returning to the parking lot on that trail, making a large loop.

We first followed the lake shore for almost two miles. We got some great reflection pictures in the lake as well as some nice cascades and a covered bridge.

We then got to the Chanterlle Connector, a trail that climbs steadily, using switchbacks and quite a few stairs (I'm told 334 of them), up to the Chanterelle Trail gaining 2200 feet over 4 miles.

Part way up the Connector, a side trail leads out to the Lake Whatcom Overlook, something well worth detouring for. After the Overlook, one group of us went back down while the remaining group continued up to the Chanterelle Trail.

There's nothing like a long climb to really warm the body up.

At the top we turned north and started a slow descent on the Chanterelle Trail. The trail runs a little below an access road that can be used by mountain bikers. It offers a bit shorter way to return to the parking lot though the trail is prettier.

About 2/3s of the way down the Chanterelle trail we reached the Chanterelle Overlook where we stopped for a late lunch. Most of the trail had been in the trees, and higher up it had been a bit nippy, but at the overlook it was sunny and warmer.

After lunch we continued back down to the parking lot, crossing the access road a few times.