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.
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.
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.
Turn by Turn
Detailed trail map is available at galbraithmt.com. and more info can be found on the WMBC website.
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.
