Oyster Dome hike satisfies craving for Salish Sea views (photos)

Welcome to the Oyster Dome.

Judging by the scores of people on this trail in Skagit County, Washington, it's Bellingham's version of the Grouse Grind. The Salish Sea views from the clifftop, however, are more than enough reward.

We turned our trip into a very enjoyable loop by visiting Lily Lake and returning to the Chuckanut Drive trailhead via quiet sections of Pacific Northwest Trail. Even a clearcut on the way back couldn't dampen our enthusiasm. 

My GPS app reports our trip covered a distance of 14 kilometres and an elevation gain of over 700 metres.

The hike took three hours up to the dome, six hours round trip.