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Storm Damage Notice: The access road to Canyon Lake Community Forest was washed out in several places by the January, 2009 storm. The road is closed at the gate, requiring a 5.7 mile hike to the trailheads.
Check Current Conditions
Canyon Lake Community
Forest
The idea for the Canyon Lake Community Forest developed in 1993 with the discovery of an exceptional old growth forest in this watershed. The $3.7 million funding to purchase the forest came from an anonymous donor, the Paul G. Allen Forest Protection Foundation, the Whatcom County Conservation Futures Fund, and many community donations. Cooperative efforts of the Whatcom Land Trust, Western Washington University and Whatcom County Parks & Recreation preserved this 2,300 acre community forest for the future. Please do not remove
or disturb natural features. Fossil collecting is prohibited.
Lake Loop Trail
| Easy. 2 miles one way . First 0.2 mile to lake viewpoint is fully accessible. Trail continues through a mix of second growth and old growth forest on a loop around Canyon Lake. Viewpoints reveal the features of the lake, including the massive landslide that formed the lake, probably as a result of a major earthquake within the last 200 years. A trailside exhibit features a well-preserved palm frond fossil. |
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Old Growth Forest & Canyon Lake Ridge Trail
| Strenuous. 7.5 miles round trip. 2,150' elevation gain. This trail continues upward through the Canyon Lake watershed, passing waterfalls, great views and geologic outcrops, to the old growth forest area. The trail winds through this primeval forest of Alaska yellow cedar, Pacific silver fir and mountain hemlock trees, some 800-1,000 years old, to a ridgetop viewpoint of Mt. Baker and the surrounding area. |
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Please leave all
dogs, horses, and bikes at home:
Canyon Lake Creek Community
Forest is managed as a nature reserve. In order to protect wildlife
and enhance wildlife viewing, pets, livestock, and bikes are not
allowed. This park is an excellent  place to view owls, bears, cougars, and the diminutive pika, found in the area's rockslides and talus slopes.
Directions to trail:
Go east on Mt. Baker Hwy. After milepost 16, turn right
on Mosquito Lk. Rd. Go 1.6 miles and turn left onto Canyon Lake
Road. Follow signs and arrows on graveled access / logging road
for 6.7 miles to parking lot and lake. Please drive slowly and carefully.
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