John Guilford's Hikes

Date: 2026-05-26

Location: Oyster Dome / Lily Lake / Lizard Lake

People: (including myself): Happy Hikers

				Alt.	Miles
Blanchard Trailhead:	9:35	870	0
Lily Lake junction:	11:15	2000	4
Oyster Dome:		11:40	2040	4.7
Leave:			12:15
Lily Lake:		12:40	2000	5.8
Lizard Lake:		1:00	1870	6.6
Trailhead:		2:55	850	10.5

The gravel road up to the trailhead was in rather good condition, but with the light rain, it really spattered the sides of my car with mud. 

From the parking area, rerace your path down the road a short ways to the trailhead.  The trail initially parallels the road slowly gaining elevation.  There are then several long switchbacks up to where it finally flattens out. 

We passed the side trail to Lily Lake and continued on to the Oyster Dome.  There we met the party that had started from Samish Overlook.  They were just finishing their lunch. 

Normally there is a great view of the San Juan Islands from Oyster Dome, but not today.  It was like being inside a giant ping pong ball - just solid white clouds/fog - no view whatsoever. 

After lunch we headed down.  At the Lily Lake trail junction, part of our group headed straight down while some of us detoured first to Lily Lake and then Lizard Lake.  Along the way we could have taken a short, steep detour up to North Butte which has good views of Bellingham and Mt. Baker (on nice days).  But today there wouldn't be any view there, either, so we didn't bother. 

We then continued a big loop, rejoining our original route about half way up the hill.  We then retraced our way back to the trailhead. 

Misty trees in the fog

Lizard Lake