Chuckanut Wayfinders 2023-24
The Wayfinder season theme is Nature Connection Through Story. Over the course of the season, Wayfinders will practice the art of storytelling, learn about the history of this beautiful place, and participate in the 2nd Annual Wayfinder Film Festival. The season will also include hikes in the North Cascades, a trip to Lummi Island, and a visit out to some of the oldest forests in our area.
All outings, including dates, times, locations, and staffing are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances and without notice. We will notify you of any changes as soon as possible.
RESOURCES
Explorers Club Pack List
MENTOR CONTACT INFO
Nick Engelfried (he/him) | nick@wildwhatcom.org
Mabel Miller (they/them) | mabel@wildwhatcom.org
OUTING 1 | Sunday, September 17 | 9:00-5:00PM
Hike | Baker Lake
For the first outing of the year, we’ll strap on our packs and lace up our boots for an epic hike in the North Cascades. For many years, we have honed our hiking skills in the Chuckanuts, but it is time to take one step further and head into the backcountry. This hike will challenge our bodies and our minds, but we’ll have each other’s support and the surety that we can do hard things. As we explore a landscape that is far different than our local mountains, we’ll prepare ourselves for similar, upcoming transitions in life. Don’t worry though, this day won’t be all hard hikes and on-the-nose metaphors, we’ll also have lots of time to connect and talk about what our year together has in store. Please note that is an 8-hour outing and as such, please get a good night’s sleep and eat a big breakfast. Come prepared with extra snacks, a big lunch, and lots of H2O. Don’t forget swimming attire and watershoes if you plan on jumping in the lake!
Directions: 3424 Meridian St., Bellingham. From I-5, take exit 256A (Meridian St.). Head south on Meridian St. for three blocks and turn north at the Squalicum Parkway intersection entrance. Map.
OUTING 2 | Saturday, October 21 | 10:00-4:00PM
Exploration | Cedar & Eagles | NORTH FORK NOOKSACK NATURAL RESEARCH AREA
This season our skills focus is all about storytelling and the story of place. On this day, we’ll travel up the Mt Baker highway to visit some of the oldest forests in our area and try to spot salmon and eagles along the way. We will immerse ourselves in our first collaborative storytelling activity and meet some of the oldest living beings in our area. We’ll also learn about the importance of Salmon, Eagle’s symbolism, and the role that Cedar has played in this area for time immemorial.
Directions: 3424 Meridian St., Bellingham. From I-5, take exit 256A (Meridian St.). Head south on Meridian St. for three blocks and turn north at the Squalicum Parkway intersection entrance. Map.
OUTING 3 | Saturday, November 18 | 10:00-4:00PM
SKILLS | Exploration & Storybuilding | Racehorse Falls
Throughout the season, we’ll make our way from the North Cascades down to the Salish Sea. For our third outing, we’ll be on an expedition to one of the most beautiful - and least travelled - waterfalls in the area, Racehorse Falls. Racehorse Falls is part of Racehorse Creek, which is one of the many tributaries to the North Fork of the Nooksack River. On this hike, we will learn about the various components of story, what makes a story great, and begin to compile the story that this group will film and preview at the end of the year. Please wear comfortable hiking shoes and Be Prepared with plenty of H2O, food, and warm, dry layers.
Directions: 3424 Meridian St., Bellingham. From I-5, take exit 256A (Meridian St.). Head south on Meridian St. for three blocks and turn north at the Squalicum Parkway intersection entrance. Map.
OUTING 4 | SATURDAY, JANUARY 6 | 9:00-2:00PM
STORY OF PLACE: HISTORY OF CASCADES - SALISH SEA | WHATCOM HISTORY MUSEUM
Wow - we are SO EXCITED to be partnering with the Whatom History Museum for this (mostly indoor?!) outing. All three Wayfinder groups will meet on this day to discuss and learn about the enrvironmental and human history of our region. It is important to remember that history is a story too and that stories transform as years pass, perspectives shift, and the storytellers change. We hope that this specialized and interactive tour of the museum and their archives help provide a deeper understanding of the land we live on, the living beings who we share it with, and the human history of this place we call home. Please note that there will be an outside component to this day, so please dress as you normally would for a cold, wet January outing. As this is also a cookie social, please feel free to bake/buy/barter/bring cookies for sharing (ingredients lists too, please) and an empty mug.
Drop-off Directions: 210 Central Ave. From I-5, take exit 253 for Lakeway Dr. Head west on Lakeway Dr. and continue as it turns into Holly St towards for 0.5 miles. Turn right onto Commercial St. and follow for 0.3 miles. Turn left onto Central Ave. and the Bellingham Public Library-Central District will be found to your right. Map.
Pick-up Directions: 1100 Ellsworth St, Bellingham. From I-5, take exit 256 (Meridian St.). Head south on Meridian St. for 1.1 miles. Continue onto Girard St. and turn right onto H St. or G St. (Fouts Park is a few doors down from the Wild Whatcom office). Map.
OUTING 5 | Sunday, February 4 | 10:00-3:00PM
Pancakes, Prep, & Props | birch bay
On this cold February day, we’ll meet for a day of pancakes, a campfire creation (we love fire x friction!), and filling in the details of the story that we’ve been creating. Do we need to get more ideas, lines, or directions down on paper? Do characters, storylines, or themes need to be tuned up? What props will we need to bring? To put or to not put chocolate chips in the pancakes? We’ll work together to get the whole story prepped so that our next outing, we’ll be able to get right into filming and production!
Directions: 5105 Helweg Rd. From I-5, take exit 266 for WA-548 N/Grandview Rd. Turn west onto WA-548 N/Grandview Rd. After approx. 6 miles, continue on Grandview Rd. at the traffic circle for 1 mile. Turn right onto Jackson Rd. for 1 more mile. Turn left onto Helweg Rd. and the main entrance to Birch Bay State Park. Drive through the campground and arrive at the main campsite parking lot. If you’ve driven out to the beach, you’ve gone too far. Map.
Reminder: A Discover Pass is required for all parking at State Parks. If you do not have a pass, please stay with your vehicle and plan to make drop-off and pick-up quick.
OUTING 6 | Sunday, March 3 | 10:00-4:00PM
EXPLORATION | Salish Sea Film Set | Lummi Island
The day has finally come for our journey to Lummi Island and the filming of our group’s submission to the Second Annual Wayfinder Film Festival. We’ll hop on our trusty bus and have a bit of a ferry ride and explore some new-to-us locations on Lummi Island. Once we’ve found a few spots that look good, we'll start filming our movie. Once we’re done, we’ll be sure to rewatch our work, do a bit of in-field, editing, and then get back on the bus and retrace our route home.
Directions: 3424 Meridian St., Bellingham. From I-5, take exit 256A (Meridian St.). Head south on Meridian St. for three blocks and turn north at the Squalicum Parkway intersection entrance. Map.
OUTING 7 | April 20 - april 21 | 12:00PM SATURDAY - 3:00PM SUNDAY
CAMPOUT | RASAR STATE PARK
To celebrate the arrival of spring, we’ll have a combined group campout, big fire, and lots of s’mores! During this weekend trip, we will practice setting up camp, fire starting and safety, and team building. We will also have plenty of time to play games, tell stories, and spend unstructured time together. Additionally, we will be holding our 2nd Annual Wayfinder Film Festival Awards Show, so prepare your acceptance speeches and leave room for popcorn!
Please review this packing list thoroughly and make sure your Wayfinder has all the gear they need to be safe + comfortable. The temperature for this weekend is forecasted to be dry and warm, with cool overnight temperatures, please see the NOAA forecast here. If your Wayfinder would like to borrow gear and you have not requested, please reach out ASAP.
Directions: 3424 Meridian St., Bellingham. From I-5, take exit 256A (Meridian St.). Head south on Meridian St. for three blocks and turn north at the Squalicum Parkway intersection entrance. Map.
QUESTIONS
Please contact your group’s mentor(s) listed above or explorersclub@wildwhatcom.org.