December 29, 2021 - Stats: 8.4 km / 568m gain / 3 hrs MT / 510m high
This network of trails, starting in Lower Sumas Mt. Park, gives you a wide range of options. But I wouldn't attempt it without a GPS.
The fridgid -7C temperatures had some advantages: no mountain bikers to share the trail with and more calories burned after all those Christmas goodies. And best of all, those amazing humongous icicles draped over the mouths of the cliffside caves.
We parked on Sandringham Rd. just off of the Whatcom Rd. bypass. After walking about 10 minutes on a broad path, we turned right onto the Autobahn trail which rose steeply into the forest. Once we turned right onto Tools of the Trade trail, the grade became more gradual, following alongside the top of the cliffs that housed the caves.
From the top of the cliffs we turned north onto Flintstone and then right onto Hidden Valley trail where a short spur got us to this viewpoint overlooking Sumas Prairie.
Southwest.
A right turn onto Guava Jelly and then onto Mike's trail got us to this beautiful expansive western viewpoint just past an old nursery.
Northwest towards Mission.
After a brief lunch at McKee Peak, where we gratefully warmed our hands with our cup of tea, we took this delightful short trail back to the open fields by the western viewpoint. This trail was full of glittering Christmas ornaments. Great for kids!
Hiking along the cliff's edge. I wore my micro-spikes for the whole hike.
Then we turned left onto the Upper Ambidextros trail which is at the base of the cliffs we'd just been on.
Wow! This was the largest cave.
Case says these cliffs were carved by ice.
We turned back at the end of the cliffs. Had to get a few more shots of this big cave, especially now that the sun was out.
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