Sunday, April 14, 2024

Whistle Lake

Sunday, April 14

Toby is nearing 10 years old and his long legs have been a bit stiff lately so we took it easy on Sunday and hiked counterclockwise around Whistle Lake located within the Anacortes Community Forest Lands. I made sure to screenshot WTA's directions and map because the trail numbers and split offs can get confusing. No parking pass required and no toilet at the TH, but there's a nice looking one just before the lake.

Map at TH. Small font so hard to read. Recommend downloading a map.
Map at TH. Hard to read small font. Recommend downloading a map instead.

We generally followed the directions and ended up hiking ~4.5 miles. Toby took a dip in the lake while Mario watched from the edge. Actually it was an unexpected drop into the lake so Toby got soaked but was a good sport about it. Saw several groups heading out after a morning of fishing. The trail offered plenty of private areas to stop and have a picnic which we did not do. After hiking we decided to drive towards town to Harbin Dumplings. We ate outside under the sun amongst a few other food trucks and cute food shacks in a small, well-kept gravel parking lot with picnic tables and Adirondack chairs.

Mario sees Whistle Lake

Quick Sip

View from a bluff along the trail

Cool old map from 2007

Toby turned 10 and celebrated with a homemade turkey and sweet potato cake (only 1/4 of it though).