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Whatcom Falls ParkBellingham, WashingtonWhatcom Falls Park in Bellingham, Wa is only one of many beautiful parks the city covets, but I have to admit it is my favorite. Even though it is located in about the center of the city to the east, you really get the feel that your miles away from town. The park is around 240 acres of absolute beautiful greenery, trees, schrubbery, berries, flowers, trails, and Whatcom Falls Creek that runs through it. Starting at 2 parking areas, there is an upper and lower parking lots, a variety of fields to play in for sports, covered and uncovered picnic areas, 2 play grounds, tennis courts, and a fish hatchery! These are all bonuses to the best part of the park...it's many beautiful water falls... When you park, there will be signs to lead you to the main entrance of the park to the trails and the falls. You'll first see the Whatcom Falls brige that is made out of Chuckanut sandstone. The bridge is beautiful in itself, too. It was built in 1939.
You can listen to the rumble, yet simplicit sounds of the falls...it's only 30 seconds...The video was taken from the bridge... Whatcom Falls Park VideoOn To The Trails....Nice, huh? But this isn't the only falls in Whatcom Falls Park! Actually there are many falls along Whatcom Creek. When you come across the bridge (if you can get yourself away from it...) you'll have an option to turn right. This will take you onto trails that will eventually head you towards a pond that is across Electric Avenue up by the start of Lake Whatcom...it's a nice little hike, but...Turn left! Then you can stay left and explore Whatcom Creek and go to the "Whirlpool" on Whirlpool Loop Trail.
You really can't get lost, unless you want to of course, but there are signs that will head you in the right direction. Staying on a trail is key to finding your way around and there are signs warning about going off of certain parts of the trails...I'll get to that in bit. First, let's head to The Whirlpool!
The Whirlpool has been a popular spot for daring divers for years in Whatcom Falls Park. The falls itself is only about 10 or 12 high, but the jump off the cliff's into the water is around 60 feet! I don't mind watching other's jump, just don't ask me to. I'd rather watch, hold my breath and clap for those that come up out of the water safely! I guess the city has tried to close if off, but persistant swimmers and jumpers have prevailed. If I were younger, I too would probably participate! It looks like a lot of fun. When I took these shots there was a family there and they were all jumping, including mom! So bold...But you can carefully climb down to the water and do some swimming in the pool area. Anyway, as you continue on the trail you'll come to some steps.
You can take these steps up and back onto the trail kind of heading westward to the middle falls area. This is where you'll see warning signs to stay on the trails for good reason. Back in 1999, there was the Olympic Pipeline explosion. Over 200,000 gallons of gas from a gas leak ignited killing a young man and 2 children playing near the creek. There is an over-look with memoriabilia about the devestating event along the trail. You can see from the over-look a lot of the trees that were burnt and another Whatcom Falls. The city of Bellingham, WA waits patiently for the greenery to heal from the explosion. I would imagine it will take years... From here, you can either turn back into Whatcom Falls Park and enjoy more of it's beauty and splendor. Or you can follow the trail that will lead to the lower falls that is located a couple miles downstream that will eventually take you to Maritime Heritage Park. MHP is located near downtown off of Bay Street.
Directions To get to the park, take Lakeway Drive and head east. Stay on the inside lane, you'll have to yield and turn off onto the left where you'll see signs for the entrance into the park. It's ok if you missed it. You can go up to the light and turn left there onto Electric Avenue where you'll see signs there as well.
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