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Day Hike - Oyster Dome-North Butte-Samish Overlook Loop

For 3/4 of the trip you leave the crowds of Oyster Dome behind you. Goes through most of the best of Blanchard Mtn.

Chuck Gustafson Chuck Gustafson
June 29, 2017
  • Road suitable for all vehicles

  • Excellent tread all the way.  Oyster Dome Trail has been completely rerouted, is longer, and less steep with many switchbacks on the last steep section.  New signs everywhere and restoration of unkept trails past Lake Lily to N. Butte and Lizzard Lake.  May soon be very different if massive logging of Blanchard Mountain happens.

Cool and heavy low clouds in the a.m. with only fuzzy views.  Burned off in the afternoon.  Did the  loop clockwise: parked at the PNT trailhead, then hiked to Oyster Dome, then to Lily lake and North Butte, Lily/Lizzard Trail to the Connector to Samish Overloop and back to the cars.  Took breaks at Oyster Dome, North Butte, mid-way down Lily/Lizzard trail and Samish Overlook.  Many short breaks.

Stats were: 8.75 hours, 2,700' and est 11 miles with Oyster Dome trail now probably longer.

Highly recommend doing this trip mid-week.  Oyster Dome is mobbed on weekends and the parking on the Hwy. 11 shoulder is difficult and dangerous.

Chuck Gustafson