[GaliWalker]

March 5, 2009: Bat Caves, Oyster Dome and Lily Lake (Chuckanut Mountain) Oyster Dome was a location that I'd kept in mind for quite some time, but hadn't got around to visiting. I don't think I was expecting it to be as enjoyable as it turned out to be. A leisurely start meant that it was almost noon when I started my hike from the PNT trailhead. The initial mile was a feast for the senses: a really beautiful forest (oh how I wish that I knew how to photograph it), with the scent of pines perfuming the air. Just as the forest lost some of its oomph, first views of the San Juan Islands appeared. Bright sunshine and fleecy clouds made for a picture perfect setting; a bench at the 1 mile mark made for a lovely place to relax and enjoy this.

1- Seat with a view

2- A storm coming

Then, it was back into dense forest, with ocasional muddy patches. Around 2.5mi into the hike I reached the turnoff for the "Bat Caves". A small batman symbol adorned the marker. The 'caves' were actually nooks and cranies amongst a jumble of huge boulders. I scrambled quite carefully around and over the boulders, since a light coating of snow made everything slippery. A lovely view of Oyster Dome looming high above me was the reward for this bit of effort and a nice preview of my next destination.

3- Snow on the rocks

4- Looming high

Back on the main trail I headed up for a short 0.25mi and then took another left, now for the Oyster Dome viewpoint. I was able to find the place empty and enjoyed the views before a snow shower destroyed them.

5 - Rootin' tootin' trail

6- The islands

7 - In a snow shower

8- Standing silently

Back to the main trail, and then further along to my final destination of the day: Lily Lake. Nice, pretty little lake, and a perfect way to cap the day.

9- Ice-bound

10- Snowy lake

Cumulative stats: - Distance: 8mi - Elevation gain: 2,100ft - Hiking time: 4.5hrs

[Layback]

The sky/clouds in the bench pic are great.

[GeoTom]

That is a nice hike and fairly close to drive to. Lily Lake is nice, Lizard Lake not as much (IMO).

[bobbi]

great hike.......i can smell the pines here! did you find Silly_Traveler? did you ask her permission to go to the Dome?

[Opus]

Great shots! That's a pretty photogenic bench. Looks like I have the exact same shot from a year ago.

Benched, 2008

[GaliWalker]

Opus, that's pretty cool. I usually think that benches are a bit wussy , but that is the most inviting bench I've ever seen. If I hadn't had to reach home by 6pm, I would have plonked myself down on it and just watched the sun go down. Thanks Layback. GeoTom, I never made it to Lizard Lake; I wanted to, but didn't quite have enough time. bcfc53, I kept expecting silly_traveller to pop up from nowhere and scare the heck out of me, but she stayed in stealth mode.