Hiking is exercise: Oyster Dome in Bellingham is not for the faint of heart; 6.5miles roundtrip
- Jaime Hernandez
- Jun 12, 2010
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 31
Hiking is exercise…. Oyster Dome in Bellingham is not for the faint of heart; 6.5miles roundtrip
Wow, what a beautiful day to get outside and go for a hike. It feels great to be outside and doing what I love to do. If you want to see the details, go to http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes-of-the-week/oyster-dome ……You should look up your local hiking routes and pick one to try out…
The trail starts off Chuckanut drive SR11 mile marker 10. Drive careful there are a lot of bikers on the road and not much room.
Chuckanut Drive SR11 Mile marker 10
The beginning of the hike starts at the Pacific Crest Trail Head.
Pacific Northwest Trail
Well, to start off, the incline is steep…so not a lot of warm-up. I suggest stretching and warming up a little before you start.
Be prepared for a challenging hike!
Up, up, up you go….I promise the first 20 to 30 minutes will be challenging but if you rest every 10 minutes or when you need to, you should be ok. I would really not recommend this hike for people who have not hiked up 3 miles of a hill in a long time. If you do cardiovascular activity 4 to 5 times a week and can at least do one hour, you should be able to manage this hike. It took me about three hours to hike up and 2 hours to hike down.
Some open spots on the trail on the way up to the top!!
On the way up, there is not a lot of time outside of the shadow of the trees. Here is one of the first spots that you will come out of the forest and see the Bay.
Wow, a bench.....to sit....sounds good
Well, I hate to tell you that the easy part is over because it is…after this point, the hill is much steeper and wetter. There is a lot of wood and rocks that are wet with some moss to make it even more slippery, so be careful……..Make sure to wear the right shoes and pay attention to the ground so you do not slip or trip.
Don’t worry, you have sooooo much to look forward to when you get to the top…………..
The first real view of the bay from the trail.
And now it gets really serious….the incline is steep for about 20-30 minutes…….I would recommend resting every 5-10 minutes. The ground is very rough with tree roots and slippery rocks riddled through the trail; you have to make sure to stay paying attention, or you could roll your ankle.
More than halfway there and in the midst of the trees...smells so green and fresh
Well, you are on your way………. what little treats do you have to look forward to?????….let me show you…..
Creek
Some of the creeks were soooooo cool….great sounds of water flowing down the hillside….
Some difficult terrain to traverse...
Be careful climbing up some of the roots and wet rocks…….
Ok, now for all the hard work you have put in going up this hill……
Well, I hope this hike was a great day of good weather and exercise. Remember to always pack the essentials in case of an emergency and take plenty of food and water. If you have a knee, back problem, or any other disease or injury, I would recommend getting clearance from your doctor, Physical therapist, or medical provider.
I hope you enjoy this trail.
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Author Bio
Jaime Hernandez is a certified health and wellness professional with 25 years of expertise in medical exercise, personal training, therapeutic bodywork, massage, and holistic fitness. He is the founder and Executive Coach of Health and Exercise Prescriptions® in Bellingham, WA, where he develops personalized health and wellness plans designed to help individuals improve strength, mobility, and overall well-being across all stages of life. Jaime holds certifications as a Medical Exercise Specialist, Licensed Massage Therapist #MA60804408, and trainer in Yoga, Pilates, and Craniosacral Therapy, combining multiple modalities to support post-rehabilitation recovery, preventive health, and functional movement optimization. His approach blends science-based exercise prescription with therapeutic practice to help clients prevent disease, manage chronic conditions, and achieve their health goals.
Health and Exercise Prescriptions®
Thank you for your time and energy… Be well.
Legal Disclaimer
This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider before starting or changing an exercise program—especially if you have pain, injuries, cardiovascular, metabolic, or other medical conditions. Stop any activity that causes sharp pain, dizziness, chest discomfort, or unusual shortness of breath.
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