Padden Puppy Trove

October 19, 2002

Washington State / Whatcom County / City of Bellingham

Bring your dog and go for a walk in Lake Padden Park. Lake Padden is a
Bellingham city park and they have thoughtfully provided an off-leash dog
training area where you and your dog can have a game of frisbee, fetch
sticks, or just have a good run around. Dont forget your poop bags.

Use the east entrance to Lake Padden Park. When you reach the Y, stay right
towards the lake and picnic area. Drive as far as you can go and park. Check
the large map at the trailhead and find the off-leash dog training area.
Walk your dog to the training area and find the memorial plaque for Elke
Hart by the bench seat. From there take a compass bearing of 207 true and
travel along this bearing until you come to an opening in the trees. A trail
crosses your path but your route crosses it and a small stream. Once over
the stream you reach a Y and veer to your right traveling uphill at 285
true for 55 strides (2 steps = 1 stride) and turn left on a smaller trail
traveling 80 strides uphill where you come to another trail taking a sharp
left hand turn. Travel that trail on for 15 strides to a large rotten stump
just off the trail on your left. The letterbox / cache is inside the stump
covered by forest debris.
This letterbox is inside of a geocache (see www.geocaching.com) containing
dog related items (balls, bandanas, tug toys, etc.). If you like, bring a
trade item, get your dog a toy and return to the dog off-leash area for some
play.

The map at the parking lot trailhead shows other park amenities such as
trails, fishing, swimming, sports fields and picnic areas.

We hope you enjoy this letterbox, Lake Padden Park, and an outing with your
dog!