Favorite Galbraith hikes

Here are my favorite hiking routes on Galbraith. This is as of July 2012, after hiking about 100 miles and over 65 trails on Galbraith.

Favorite "view" hike:

Wonderland / Naughty Nelly. Some of the best views from Galbraith can be seen from this trail, including Lake Whatcom stretching all the way from Sudden Valley into Bellingham. The trail is accessed from the Galbraith summit, via Stinger trail. The total hike is six to eight miles, depending on the return route chosen. Allow about 3 hours.

Looking toward Lake Whatcom from Naughty Nelly.

Whoopsie Woodle. This route delivers soaring views of Lake Samish, Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands, and the surrounding mountains. It takes 3 miles of hiking on logging roads to get to the Galbraith summit, near where Whoopsie begins. From the summit, it's all downhill on pleasant winding paths. Total route is about 6.5 miles; allow at least three hours, and bring water.

Looking to Bellingham Bay and the San Juans from Whoopsie Woodle.

Honorable mention: Ridge Trail. Convenient to the north side of Galbraith, the Ridge is an easy trail that gives glimpses of Bellingham Bay from its rocky outlooks.

Heading south on Ridge Trail.

Favorite "through-hike" of Galbraith:

There are numerous routes that allow you to traverse Galbraith from its south entrance to the north access points (or vice versa). My favorite is the Supercross Route. It's a bit out of the way, and not the most direct of routes... but that's not the point, right? It's a half-day hike that offers scenic viewpoints and well-marked trails.

The vista eastward near Supercross Trail.

Favorite "short" hike:

When I'm short on time, I'm fond of Karma, and Ridge Trail, both accessed from the north side of Galbraith. From the south-side, you can't beat Bunny Trails for a flat, shady, pleasant route.

Karma in the fall.

Favorite north-side loop:

Bob's Trail. Take the Pipeline trail north to the kiosk, then follow Upper and Lower Bob's on the descent. Bob's is a fun trail and goes through interesting terrain of rocks, roots, and ruts. If you have more time, work in Cedar Dust trail which begins at the kiosk.

In between Upper and Lower Bob's.

Favorite south-side loop:

Kaya / Old Issues. These trails are easy and flat and make a pleasant 3-mile loop. Got more time? Enter the Three Pigs area and follow Straw, Stick, and Brick trails for a slightly longer loop route.

Raney on the south-side boardwalks.