(No. 1) Unless you begin training a couple weeks before you go, don’t attempt a hike to Pine and Cedar Lakes with a case of canned beverages in your backpack. Why? Because apparently this Whatcom County Parks trail was created before the advent of switchbacks –- it’s straight uphill, no mercy. So whether you plan to day hike or stay overnight, pack lightly and use a framed backpack that provides optimum support -- otherwise, this 2.5 mile hike wile seem like 25 miles.

(No. 2) If you enjoy trout fishing, bring your pole. If you don’t you will begin suffering at around 6 p.m. any evening during fishing season: The bugs begin dancing just above the surface of the lakes’ placid waters. Then a flurry of fish begin jumping and feasting like a pack of mad flesh-eating piranhas –- only they’re not piranhas, they are brown and rainbow trout. There are so many trout in these lakes that if you can’t catch one by conventional means, you might want to try flailing about in the water with a large stick. As a last resort, leaning over the water and batting at the fish with your hand while growling ferociously has proven to be successful.

(No. 3) Bring lots of fishing tackle, cause you’ll lose some. You must understand that fishing Pine or Cedar is nothing like fishing Lake Padden. First of all, only a few trails provide limited access to the lakes’ banks, and near these few access points, the surrounding shrubbery makes casting your line a treacherous affair. Also, the lakes are full of snags –- fallen trees from years and decades past become aquatic jungle gyms for fish and microorganisms. The fallen trees will also pirate your new silver-spinning lure that you just paid 3 bucks for earlier in the day. So bring plenty of tackle.

(No. 4) Bring bug repellant, drinking water, a trash bag and bug repellant. This is a wild place, so plan ahead and make a list. When you get there, don’t worry: those are only mosquitoes, not massive, mutated hummingbirds.

(No. 5) If no burn ban is in effect, bring firewood. Everyone knows that it’s not wise to burn wood found on the forest floor, but even if you wanted to, there’s no wood there anyway. The forest that envelops Pine and Cedar at the top of Chuckanut Mountain is a canopy of massive evergreens towering above a few sword ferns and an occasional salmonberry bush –- no dry and shrubby tinder anywhere. If a fire is not important to your camping experience, at least pack a little gas stove so you can fry up those tasty fishies that required $30 of tackle for you to reel in.

Written By: Ken Brierly

Features
Walking Trails

Comments
This little piece of beauty is unfortunately used for commercial lama pack trips, does not allow any dogs off leash and is patrolled by rude park employees.
- GG on Wed, September 20, 2006

Great overnighter too, very peaceful and calming. Myself and Kentucky Sam have made the trip several times. It's even more beautiful in the winter when Pine lake is frozen. When you get to the big tree with sign and the trail forks in three ways, take the steep one left of the sign, it's a major shortcut. Enjoy!!!
- capt. jack sparrow on Sun, August 20, 2006

Park at Arroyo's east parking lot. Go down to the creek, cross the bridge and head up the Lost Lake trail. Stay on the Hemlock trail, stay to the left at the Lost Lake trail and North Lost Lake trail, a mile or so later is the Raptor Ridge turn off is to the right, a mile after that you will reach Cedar and Pine Lakes. About 4 miles up and four miles back, well worth the work.
- Josh Dahm on Thu, April 17, 2003

Great hike, I proposed to my wife at the look out rock above cedar lake. We go there to enjoy the view of Mt. Baker and keep our love alive.
- bob marvel on Mon, May 1, 2000

A buttkicker of a little hike, but a good place to get away from lots of people. Very peaceful.
- Bill Hopkins on Mon, September 27, 1999

Great article. haven't been there for years!
- connie croslin on Fri, March 26, 1999

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