Trail:Galbraith
From Evergreen Trail Guide
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| Name | Galbraith |
| Tech Rating | 
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| Grunt Rating |
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| Singletrack | 60% |
| Fire road | 40% |
| Paved | 0% |
| Total trail | 40+ mi. |
| Alt. change | 1800 |
| Latitude: | 48.7535 |
| Longitude: | -122.42724 |
| Nearest medical: | Not set yet |
| Page adopted by: | [[User:{{{moderator}}}|{{{moderator}}}]] |
| Get Directions | |
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ACCESS TO GALBRAITH IS THREATENED!
Go to http://www.preservegalbraith.org and write letters ASAP! 4/12/2011 Message from Eric Brown:
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Trail Overview
XC, Freeride or Downhill there is something for everyone at Galby. The local advocacy group, WHIMPS, works with the private land owner Polygon Corp. to provide trail access.
How to find it
There are two popular parking areas. Be sure to check where you're supposed to meet if you're going on a club ride.
North side Take I-5 exit 253, keep right at the stop sign and turn east on Lakeway Drive. Go past the cemetery and the main entrance to Whatcom Falls Park. After the main park entrance, keep in the left lane, which will turn you left onto Electric Avenue. Once on Electric Ave, go one block and turn left into the Whatcom Falls upper parking lot. The entrance to the parking lot is directly across from Birch St. If you pass a gas station on your right you have gone too far. Another parking option is to continue on Lakeway Drive past Electric Avenue to the next stop light. Turn right and continue up the hill. There is a parking lot at the end of the road. Keep in mind that there are homes in the area and owners do not like you parking in their driveway!
South side Take exit 246 off of I-5. Take a left on Samish Way. Go a little less than 1.5 miles and there's a parking lot on your left. If you get to the Lake Padden Park entrance you have gone too far. Once on your bike, find Galbraith Lane across the road and take it north to get to the trails.
Typical Conditions
Winter: Mud puddles on flat trails near the bottom and on the top trails for up to five days after a good rain.
Summer: Usually dry except the day after a heavy rain. "Not Shawn's" and a few other of the lower trails tend to have mud puddles that never disappear.
A link to consider: Galbraith Mud Index. Author is a prof at WWU and a seasoned rider.
Current Conditions
More up-to-date information may be available at Galbraith Update Tab on whimpsmtb.org There are some maps that show where logging will take place, but no trail by trail status as to what's open and what's closed/logged. WHIMPs has already rebuilt some of the damaged trails from the first harvest.
5/22/2012
Kaiser is still gone
Lost Giants and Chutes & Ladders are being clearcut. Evil Twin, Mole Trap, and Rock-n-Roll were still open
Bandito is closed from about the middle to south end
Crazy 8's is closed
Lower entrance to new trail from Bandito to Kung Fu Theater is gone
Lower WHIMPs Connector (road) is trashed with mud and wood
Little Big Trail is gone
Old Issues is gone
Currently no real good way to take trails from the Padden side to the Whatcom Falls side... still possible via roads.
Turn-By-Turn Guide
Basic map and info available at ridegalbraith.com or you can buy a complete map from WHIMPS.
From the lake Padden recreation area parking lot: head east on Galbraith lane, take a right where the road splits, go through two gates. There will be a map on your right under a small over after about 100ft. Pick a trail and go for it!
From the Whatcom Falls Park side, take Birch St to the end, ride up the Miranda then the Ridge trail. At the top of this trail, right by the big, pink sculpture, you'll find a kiosk with a detailed map.
Local Points of Interest
Kona USA, Transition Bicycle Company, and Spectrum Techwear are all located in the Bellingham area. The Bellingham dirt jumps are also a short drive away next to the civic center.
Misc. Information
Advocacy Information
Galbraith has been a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, including mountain bikers, for many years. Currently the land is owned by Polygon Corp. who authorize the WHIMPS to maintain mountain bike trails according IMBA and other standards.
