Lookout Loop
A good grunt to a so-so viewpoint in a great new forest preserve
Quick Facts:
Location: Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve
Land Agency: Whatcom County Parks
Round Trip: 4.0 miles
Elevation Gain: 850 feet
Contact: Whatcom County Parks
Notes: dogs permitted on leash, trail open to mountain bikes
Recommended Guidebook: Urban Trails Bellingham (Mountaineers Book)
Access: From Exit 253 on I-5 in Bellingham follow Lakeway Drive east for 2.7 miles onto Terrace Ave. Continue 0.2 mile onto Cable St. Then after 0.3 mile turn right onto Austin Street. Proceed for 0.4 mile bearing left onto Lake Louise Road. Then drive 2.5 miles to trailhead located on your right across from Sudden Valley Gate no. 9.
Good to Know: Kid-friendly, dog-friendly, snow-free winter hike, Practice Leave No Trace Principles
The Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve consists of the northern portion of the new Lookout Mountain Park. Created in 2014 through private timberland acquisition and reconveyed land from the Department of Natural Resources, 4430-acre Lookout Mountain Park will eventually host a large interconnecting trail system. But for now, you can enjoy hiking and running on more than 8 miles of well-built and signed trails within the preserve—and miles of old service roads outside of the preserve.
This is a nice little loop to give you a good taste of the preserve and a decent workout. Start up the gated service road for .3 mile to a trail junction. Then turn right on the Rufus Creek Trail and immediately come to another junction. Stay right, cross a small creek and soon come to a junction with the Baneberry Trail. The way right is steeper, so head that way saving the knees for an easier descent.
The way follows old logging roads and newly built trail passing some big maples among stands of alders and young conifers. At 0.7 mile head left on the Leila June Trail. Climb steeply passing some big cedars en route. After utilizing some tight switchbacks the trail passes through a gap and reaches a junction with the Baneberry Trail at 1.6 miles.
Continue right and in 0.2 mile head left on the Rufus Creek Trail. Hike for the workout not the lookout! This trail climbs steeply—350 feet—to a bench at a growing in window view of Mount Baker and Lake Whatcom in .3 mile. Prior to reaching the disappointing viewpoint, the trail passes a row of cedars and another window view—this one of Stewart Mountain.
You can turn around here for the suggested loop-or continue hiking another 0.8 mile and gaining more elevation passing through attractive forest. The trail ends at the Cougar Ridge Trail which is a mountain biking trail only-so you’ll need to retrace your steps to the lookout.
Retrace your steps to the Baneberry Trail which follows an old logging road and descend. Pass a viewpoint of a small slick rock cascade before closing the loop. Then turn right and hike back to the service road. Then head left to your start completing a 4.0 mile hike, or 5.6 miles if you went the extra distance.
The Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve is one of the featured destinations in my best-selling Urban Trails Bellingham (Mountaineers Book). For more details on this hike and others (including many not found in other guides), pick up a copy of this book today!
