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It’s coming. Short days will grow shorter. Cold, wet weather will grow colder and wetter. We’ll cling with mittened hands to our coffee cups and wait for another bitter winter to end. Bellingham is wonderful, but its winter months are less than glamorous. However, it doesn’t have to be a time to stay inside and wistfully relive the sunny summer moments. There’s plenty to do if you’re not afraid of a little pacific northwest rain. So grab your gore-tex, slap on your rain boots and get out there. Here are five ways to get outside and get moving this winter.

Members of the Senior Trailblazers take in a breathtaking view at the top of the Burnout Trail in the Chuckanuts. Photo credit: Sue Dabney.

Skiing, Boarding and Snowshoeing

Much of Bellingham has been stalking the Mount Baker snow report in eager anticipation of its 2016 opening. For many Whatcom County residents, hitting the slopes is a no-brainer. But downhill skiing and snowboarding aren’t the only ways to enjoy our stunning mountain this winter.

Along with its eight chair lifts, Mount Baker boasts an entire network of trails perfect for cross country skiing. Take a break from the adrenaline of the slopes and take in all of Mount Baker’s alpine beauty while getting an aerobic workout. If the cost of downhill skiing has been holding you back, cross country skiing is an ideal and less pricey alternative.

Ascencio-Hall shows off two lingcod in Bellingham Bay. Photo Credit: Danny Ascencio-Hall.
Ascencio-Hall shows off two lingcod in Bellingham Bay. Photo Credit: Danny Ascencio-Hall.

Snowshoeing is another option for those looking to explore the mountain from a new angle. Most places that rent skis will also have snowshoes available to rent. Find your favorite summertime hikes and explore them in the snow.

Fishing

The sun may stop shining, but the fish don’t stop swimming. Local fish enthusiast Danny Ascencio-Hall says that there are plenty of advantages to fishing in the colder months of the year. “There are a lot fewer people on the water, so you don’t really have to compete,” he says. Always check the forecast for dangerous conditions, but don’t be stopped by a cloudy day, because it might increase your luck.

During the winter, crabbing is open seven days a week. Stay up to date on additional licenses and restrictions. Photo Credit: Danny Ascencio-Hall.
During the winter, crabbing is open seven days a week. Stay up to date on additional licenses and restrictions. Photo Credit: Danny Ascencio-Hall.

Check your local licenses before heading out,” advises Ascencio-Hall. “Fishing regulations change frequently and are different in every region.” If you don’t have a boat, don’t worry. All you need is a shovel and some rubber boots to access some of the best clamming in the area. “This time of year there’s no red tide to worry about, so it’s really the best time for clamming,” Ascencio-Hall points out. If you can’t get enough of shellfishing, you’re in luck, because this time of year crabbing is permitted seven days a week. “If you’re crabbing in the winter, deeper is a little bit better,” Ascencio-Hall suggests, “Everything else is cleaned out early in the season and in the summer.”

Bird Watching

Step outside of the chaos for a moment this winter and take some time to listen for the birds. Bird watching is an opportunity to better appreciate and understand our unique pacific northwest environment and the creatures that inhabit it. “Birding connects me with the whole world,” says local birder Sue Wu. “It opens my world and makes me consider my role in my environment.”

Bird watching is a fun and calming winter past time. Photo credit: Jodi Broughton.
Bird watching is a fun and calming winter past time. Photo credit: Jodi Broughton.

Of course, winter months bring unique and exciting opportunities to local bird watchers. “A lot of migratory birds like Snow Geese and Trumpeter Swans come our way a little later in the winter, in January,” Wu says. “It’s also easier to see hawks this time of year.”

Wu recommends open areas like Padilla Bay or Tennant Lake as winter birding locations. “Walk in the open, but look toward the forest,” she suggests. It is typically helpful to do some research before heading out so you know what you’re looking for. If you don’t have a guidebook on hand, the Audubon bird guide is an excellent resource.

Mountain Biking

point defiance park
Biking is a great way to get some fresh air and exercise all year round.

For personal trainer and biking coach Nicola Mann, Bellingham is a mountain biker’s paradise. “There’s really easy access close to town,” she raves. “You can literally ride from your house to any of the main biking trails.” There’s no reason to hang up your bike when the weather turns. As long as you prepare properly, according to Mann, you can keep moving all year. “You definitely have to be prepared for some pretty wet conditions,” Mann says. “It’s a good idea to bring extra gloves in your pack and to wear wool socks.” It may be wet, but the trails are no worse for wear during the winter. “The trails here are really well built and well maintained,” Mann notes, “We have a really good community of trail builders. WNBC is a big one. They make sure there’s good drainage, even in the winter.”

Senior Trailblazers head back from a snowy hike near Hermann Saddle. Photo Credit: Sue Dabney.
Senior Trailblazers head back from a snowy hike near Hermann Saddle. Photo Credit: Sue Dabney.

For Mann, winter is when it is most important to get outside. Amidst the dullness of winter, a day on the trails can be a much needed breath of fresh air. “When the rest of the day feels really gray, you can go to the trails and be surrounded by so much color and beauty. It’s really healthy to get out and explore.”

Local bike shops have weekly rides for people who are new to mountain biking. “There are a lot of opportunities to be coached in groups and in clinics,” Mann says. “We have tons of mountain biking resources here that people should take advantage of.”

Hiking

Bellingham’s trails offer a wide range of hiking experiences for all ages and abilities all year long. Avid Bellingham hiker Sue Dabney is grateful for the versatility and accessibility of local trails. “It’s all beautiful and all within a day’s drive,” she says. Dabney explores the trails every Thursday with the Senior Trailblazers, a hiking group for Bellinghamsters age 50 and older. “It’s a really inclusive group,” Dabney says. “Everybody is welcome. All you have to do is contact the senior activity center if you’re interested.” The group meets on Thursdays all year, rain or shine, for 5-10 mile hikes of varying difficulty.

Senior Trailblazers explore Lake Ann in the Mount Baker area. Photo credit: Sue Dabney.
Senior Trailblazers explore Lake Ann in the Mount Baker area. Photo credit: Sue Dabney.

“Hiking is a gift any time of year,” Dabney says, in the spirit of her group, “It’s colder and wetter in the winter but it’s also beautiful. Things look different in the winter. You don’t see it the same as you do in the summer.”

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