APRIL 22 OYSTER DOME, BLANCHARD MOUNTAIN* 

8:30 am, return times vary

Moderate to strenuous depending on route chosen

There are two main options for this hike (1) Strenuous, 6.3 miles return, 1896 elevation gain: Start at the Oyster Dome Chuckanut Drive Access near milepost 10.9 on Chuckanut Drive. Park on the west side of the road, making sure your car is completely clear of the road, then cross the road carefully to the trailhead. (2) Moderate, 4 miles return, 1073 elevation gain: From I-5, take exit 240 (Alger) and head west on Lake Samish Road. Take the first left onto Barrel Springs Road and travel 0.6 mile, to where there is a sign reading “Blanchard Forest Block”. Turn right on the dirt road and travel another 1.7 miles to a sign for “Samish Overlook”. Turn left and pass through the yellow gate (open one hour before sunrise to one hour past sunset) and continue 2.2 miles to the Samish Overlook Day Use Area. Be aware that the dirt road from Barrel Springs to Samish Overlook can be full of potholes. There is parking for 20 vehicles (day use only.) There are vault toilets, picnic tables and benches. If you want a longer hike from Samish Overlook, instead of retracing your steps, you can return to Samish Overlook via the Larry Reid Trail (6.9 miles, 1096 elevation gain) or Max’s Shortcut (5.2 miles, 1070 feet elevation gain). 

MEETING AND SIGN-IN for all options at 8:30 am at the Chuckanut park N ride exit 231 on I 5.

Dogs on leash allowed. Restrooms at Samish Overlook only. Discover Pass required at Samish Overlook but not along the Chuckanut.