This is a picture of Old Main in 1914 with Sehome Hill in the background.
Welcome to the Sehome Hill Arboretum Resource Education project, or "S.H.A.R.E." for short.
The Sehome Hill Arboretum spans 180 acres of the Sehome hilltop, bounded by Western Washington University and residential neighborhoods of Bellingham. Currently, the park land offers 5.9 miles of winding trails, which are frequented by joggers, hikers, and nature enthusiasts.
As the City of Bellingham becomes increasingly developed, Sehome Hill remains one of the only places of refuge for the diverse population of birds native to the area, as well as squirrels, deer, and the occasional cougar. Sehome Hill also hosts a vast array of indigenous plants, shrubs, and trees. In addition to this biological proliferation, Sehome Hill is a place to study part of the complex geographical history of the Chuckanut formation.
Sehome Hill Arboretum Today
Over the years, the Hill has undergone many transformations, from mining to logging, from donated land to protected arboretum. The tunnel capping the hill closed to the public in 1975, and Huntoon Drive became reestablished as Arboretum Drive.
The Sehome Hill Arboretum currently has only one man-made structure: the 80-foot observation tower at the Hill's summit. It provides a breathtaking view of Bellingham, the San Juan Islands, and the Canadian mountains. There is also nearly 6 miles of gravel trails where the public can observe wildlife, the geological formations, and vegetation.To see a picture of the observation tower, click here.
To see the view of Bellingham from the observation tower, click here.
1. Take the Samish Way exit (Exit 252) to Bill MacDonald Parkway.
2. Continue up Bill MacDonald Parkway until you reach the edge of Western Washington University.
3. Turn right on the road just before Buchanan Towers (across from the Washington Archive Building).
4. From this point, you may continue up to the top of Sehome Hill or find parking and access to the many scenic trails.
Pictures of Sehome Hill and other related visual aids can be found on the corresponding pages, however, here are a few that are relevant to finding the arboretum:Click here to view a map of Sehome Hill's location..
Click here to view a picture of the Sehome Hill Arboretum sign.
Please visit the S.H.A.R.E. membership page to view current and past members of the project. These talented individuals are responsible for creating this website, an informative brochure, and are dedicated to educating the public about the Sehome Hill Arboretum.
