Bikepack - Lily & Lizard Lakes

Blanchard Forest Upper Parking Lot. Time to be determined.  All details will be sent to registered participants in planning email a few days before the trip.

This is a moderate trip in terms  of distance but involves riding non-technical (green) singletrack trails and includes some significant climbing.

The distance to the camping area is short and some gear could be left there before continuing on the trails for additional riding. A side trip to Oyster Dome (on foot) is also possible). Bring a lock for your bike.

Basic Itinerary: See WA DNR Blanchard Trail System Mapf

For LEADER PERMISSION: Please mention the type of bike you plan to use and your experience on single-track / mountain bike trails.  Also mention your fitness level for the expected elevation gain of about 1300'.  This trip is somewhat exploratory.  I've hiked the main trails within the Blanchard Forest but not the ride in or out of this particular trailhead.  I expect much of the approach to be on double-track / forest road for about 5 miles and single track for the last mile to camp. We'll do a day-ride and hike to Oyster dome on single track.  The ride on Day-2 is mostly single-track.

We will start at the Blanchard Forest Upper Parking Lot and ride north on Road B-1000, then take the left fork onto Road B-1500, and bike to the Service Trail Trailhead. Ride the trail to Lizard Lake and camp at Lizard Lake or Lily Lake—the campsites are available on first-come, first-serve basis. Ride to Checkpoint V and then to Checkpoint U, take a short detour on foot to Oyster Dome to catch the views  (we will want to lock your bikes), then retrace your route to Checkpoint V.  Return to camp.

The next day after breakfast, pack up camp and reload your bikes. ride from camp on Max's Shortcut to Checkpoint X. Ride the Larry Reed Trail to the Samish Overlook for another viewpoint stop (Checkpoint Y) from Samish Overlook, take Road B-2000 back to the Blanchard Upper Lot.

A GPS of the route proposed can be found here

An alternative route with more elevation gain and singletrack riding can be found here