An overcast October day seemed like a great time to take a hike though Whatcom Falls Park (Bellingham WA) to get some pics of Whatcom Creek and the turning foliage. The city park has been around for over 100 years but some of the infrastructure was built during the depression era (WPA). The creek drains from Lake Whatcom and runs about 3 miles into Bellingham Bay. The drop of about 400 feet from the lake to the bay enables a number of picturesque waterfalls both within and outside of the park itself. At the head is a pond called Derby Pond , specifically designed for youngsters’ fishing in the spring – no adults allowed to fish. The park also houses a fish hatchery with Rainbow Trout as big as small salmon. On the Creek’s course to the bay, it runs through Whatcom Falls Park, an industrial area, then through town, and over a final waterfall into Marine Heritage Park where there is a salmon hatchery. Along the creek are popular and well used walking, running, and biking trails that meander through cedar, fir, vine and big leaf maple trees. All are illustrated below the tangled roots on the trail. Be careful not to trip on them.
The WPA plaque 1930-1940
WPA bridge, constructed with Chuckanut Sandstone
Mossy rocks in the Creek – Moss everywhere
The second bridge in the lower gorge
Resourceful stretching cedar roots
More tangled roots in the creek
A stand of cedar and fir canopy the trail
The middle falls
A little white water
A roundabout in the parking area
Derby Pond and Fish Bench
Fish hatchery holding ponds
Rainbow trout in the ponds
Big Rainbows
The Lower Falls at Marine Heritage Park before entering the bay
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