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Stimpson Family ReserveBellingham, WAThe Stimpson Family Reserve Trail was given in memory of Edward K. and Catharine C. Stimpson of Bellingham, Washington. Their 7 children donated this land leaving a family legacy to the community...their legacy, truely, was "giving".The land is now jointly owned by the City of Bellingham and Whatcom County and is maintained very well. Being out my back yard, I thought it due time to get on the trail and see what it is like. First of all, for anyone planning to hike the trail, I will say it is "family friendly" but no dogs, no horses or bicycles are allowed on the trail...one of the few hiking trails around Bellingham with these rules I have found, but for good purpose.
Today, my husband and I will take you on the Stimpson Family Reserve Trail and highlight the uniqueness of this trail along with the many "faces of nature" we found on this trail that we have found on no other trails we been on around Bellingham!
Upon entering the Stimpson Family Reserve trail-head, we found that the going was relatively simple. Good thing for us because this was our first "real hike" (my husband's real hike, anyway) of the summer!
One of the first main features of this reserve is the large wetlands that you see here. Preservation of these wetlands was a major consideration when the Stimpson Family decided to donate this park area. As we walked past the far side of this wetland area we were treated to the sound of bullfrogs croaking back and forth to each other. It was pretty funny sound and very all natural at that!
This is one of several bridges to cross along the trail. I took special note of this one because it was donated as part of an Eagle Scout project undertaken by Casey Oswald in 2003.
Here's another example of the bridges you will find while hiking in Bellingham on the Stimpson Family Reserve Trail. They are nice and sturdy and have moss caked over them. Looks natural in the surroundings, too.
As a side bar to the main loop, we found the Geneva Pond Loop Trail entrance. Being our first summer hike we chose not to take this trail, but to stay on the Main Loop Trail for Stimpson Family Reserve. Thereby leaving us still more to explore and enjoy on a future hike in this area.
Even deep into the trail we found it to be well maintained, the scenery gorgeous. Since it was a fairly simple hike, we had the time to stop to be able to see things along this trail we haven't noticed on other trails. "Faces of Nature"
This picture of a tree, just jumped out at us on our hike. It was so amazing and the picture doesn't do it justice at all! I even tried to capture the face 5 different ways and it just didn't want to "pose". But seeing it in person, it's an obvious "face of nature".
Here is a very familiar and not surprising face! Slugs are quite common around the Great Pacific Northwest. Don't let them scare you. They are completely harmless!
Here's another cute little slug with stripes! You can see his little eyes...that was my "awe" for the day.
Can you see this guy? Made by nature in an ordinary rock. One of the things you learn to appreciate while hiking. Makes things even more fun and interesting. After all, isn't hiking considered "execise"?
I don't know why, but it seemed as though, as went hiked along, the "faces" kept popping out at us! Ok! I see this face, do you? This tired ol' guy is laying on the right side of his head. He's asleep! See his eyes and nose? Cool, isn't it? You can see it better close up and personal! Really! Nearing the End of Our Journey
As we neared the end of our 2.8 mile journey, we came across a downed tree overhanging the trail. It's ok to walk under it. It's pretty sturdy.The whole hiking trail journey is such a nice and refreshing thing to do. This particular trail was a pearl to find. I'm sure we will take advantage of it's existance again! Thanks! to the Stimpson Family for such an unselfish and generous donation to the Bellingham, WA community!
A picture is worth a thousand words! Also, this could be another reason why this trail is called The Stimpston "Family" Reserve Trail! This is the way you can go about it with the kids! These children were real troopers hiking with their daddy! I couldn't resist asking for a picture. Directions to the Stimpson Family Reserve TrailIf your in Sudden Valley, take the road past the store towards Geneva on Lake Louise Road. The trail head is just a few miles down the road on the right.If you are going to the trail from Bellingham, WA, take Lakeway Drive through Geneva. Go halfway down the hill towards Lake Whatcom. After the fire house about a block and a half later, you will come to Lake Louise Road. Turn right and go through the stop sign, after you stop, of course! Follow the road out towards Sudden Valley a few miles. You'll find the trail head parking on your left.
Return to the top of Stimpson Family Reserve Check out Bellingham WA Homepage
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Need Hiking Maps? You can get one here from the Bellingham Parks Dept! Just scroll down our maps of Bellingham page and you can go in and download one from the parks department! See our Bellingham Shop for more hiking maps and trails around Bellingham and the Pacific Northwest.
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