Looking south from Raptor Ridge. Two unrelated types of eroded grooves cut deeply into the soft sandstone. Click to enlarge.
I’m thankful to the forces of nature that present us with such a wealth of fine places to see geology and the scenery that goes with it. In that spirit, I wrote a guide to geology on the hike to Raptor Ridge in the Chuckanut Mountains, south of Bellingham. There are some rock cliffs, two different styles of eroded grooves eroded in the rock, two erratics, a water fall, and pervasively weathered Chuckanut sandstone. All this is capped with a fine view at the top. Click here to read the guide. It is a nice winter hike, unless there is too much snow. But then, it becomes a really great cross-country ski trip! Just the thing, either way to work off some Thanksgiving over eating. See you on the trail!
Dave
Filed under: Chuckanut Formation, geologic structure, geology, glacial erratics, glacial geology, sedimentary rocks, strike and dip |
Northwest Geology Field Trips 
Dave,
I’m glad you posted this one! It’s a fabulous hike.
I thought I had posted it last spring after we hiked up there, Scott. Now I finally have. Anytime you are ready to go up there, let me know!
DT
Gorgeous, Dave! Thanks for the tip. I hope your ambition to hike to day paid off.