History of Galbraith Mountain
Words by Madi Burke | Photos by Eric Mickelson
Early Beginning: A Collision of Uses
Before becoming host to mountain bike trails, Galbraith was a densely thicketed old-growth forest with looming western redcedars and towering douglas firs. Logging operations began on the mountain in the 1930’s, when the Galbraith Brothers Logging company made the first cuts into the forest. For decades, logging continued, but people began visiting the area for recreational purposes—such as hiking and motorcycle riding. But, as more trails cropped up around Galbraith, so did a culture of trash-dumping, partying, and general lawlessness. Due to public misuse of the land in the 60’s and 70’s, Galbraith landowners shut the gates to public access.
Mountain Bikes Roll In
With the widespread popularization of mountain biking in the early 1980s, local riders recognized Galbraith’s potential as a mountain biking mecca. Small groups of local riders organized trail cleanup parties to clear the mountain of trash in order to begin carving the trails they wanted to ride. Regardless of the mountain’s private ownership, unsanctioned trails were built in earnest, often in the dead of night. Locals understood the risks involved in building trails on private property, but continued their efforts driven by the love of the sport and the community it sustained.
Mountain biker rips a corner on SST trail at Galbraith Mountain in Bellingham, WA. Photo by Eric Mickelson.
Introducing the WHIMPS
One of the first organized riding groups on Galbraith was a cross-country oriented group that referred to themselves as the WHIMPS: the Whatcom Independent Mountain Pedalers. Jim “Sully” Sullivan founded the WHIMPS out of his backyard in 1986, leading weekly rides and trail-building parties up the mountain with his chainsaw in hand. Well-known as the godfather of mountain biking in Bellingham, Sully galvanized a local community around the sport. The WHIMPS began working in earnest towards a collaborative relationship with mountain landowners and the City of Bellingham, believing that open communication would be critical towards gaining official access to the mountain.
Mountain bikers speed down a Bellingham mountain bike trail. Photo by Eric Mickelson
The End of Access?
As the network of trails on Galbraith developed, so did the numbers of individuals flocking to the gates for a taste of the lore and loam. The existing landowners in 2002 - Trillium Corporation, knew that the local mountain bikers on Galbraith had become as ingrained into the mountain’s landscape and heartbeat as the trees. Although it’s incredibly rare for a commercial forestry operation to allow public access to logging land (due to liability issues, fear of theft and damage, etc.), Trillium Corp understood that permanently getting rid of the riders would pose serious PR problems. So Trillium entered into a voluntary recreational access agreement with the WHIMPS, allowing non-motor access (i.e., mountain bike access) to the area. Although it was a short term win, this agreement offered no permanent protection for public use on Galbraith.
Mountain biker explores the sometimes foggy and mysterious trails of Bellingham. Photo by Eric Mickelson
When Trillium Corporation hit financial hot water in 2009, the land was ceded to Polygon Financial. Under new ownership, the voluntary access agreement was lost. The new owners were quick to address the problem of recreators on the mountain. Unwilling to deal with the liability of mountain bikers flying through active logging zones, Polygon began plans to commercially develop the mountain. In 2011, they announced that public access to the mountain would be shut off entirely. True to form, upon receiving this message, the local riding community rallied. The WHIMPS changed their name to the WMBC (Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition), and entered into years of negotiations and public meetings with local government leaders over the fate of the trails. Eventually, in 2017 a new buyer came to the table.
Mountain biker hits jumps at Cedar Dust pro line at Galbraith Mountain in Bellingham. Photo by Eric Mickelson.
The Trails Continue
As a Bellingham local and business leader, Rob Janicki knew Galbraith and the people who called it home. With the dual intention of sustainably harvesting the land and preserving recreational access, Janicki realized he was well-positioned to become Galbraith’s new landowner. Having worked closely with Polygon Financial on Galbraith forest management, Janicki was keenly aware of the tenuous relationships that existed for decades between landowners and land users on Galbraith. Janicki understood how valuable an asset Galbraith had become to the community, and approached the mayor with a promise to purchase the land if the mayor committed to securing a recreational easement that would guarantee public access to the mountain forever. The mayor agreed, and Janicki purchased Galbraith for $8 million.
In 2018, Rob Janicki’s company, Galbraith Tree Farm LLC, entered into a conservation easement agreement with the City of Bellingham and the Whatcom Land Trust. This easement provided permanent protection of 2,182 acres and 46 miles of trails on the mountain, guaranteeing the right of public access on Galbraith forever.
Mountain bikers ripping a trail at Galbraith Mountain. Photo by Eric Mickelson.
A Working Forest & Growing Network
Although it’s become a nationally renowned hub for mountain biking, Galbraith remains a tree farm. The mountain property is zoned for commercial forestry, and ongoing timber harvesting occurs on the mountain regularly. About 50 acres are logged per year. This keeps trail builders and riders on their toes, and makes the mountain a dynamic and continuously interesting place to ride. Trails adapt to accommodate the timber harvest, and the changing trail network (as well as sometimes-surprising new views!) represents the ongoing and successfully coexisting relationship between recreational activity and commercial forestry on Galbraith.
This year, Galby (as it is affectionately known by locals) celebrates its 6th year of secured public access. Due to ongoing efforts made by the WMBC, the trail network on the mountain continues to grow, upgrade, and diversify. What has Bellingham done with the now 68 miles of non-motorized trails spread across 3,000 acres of timberland, you ask? We’ve built trail races and skills parks, hosted events, developed youth education programs, set up volunteer trail days, organized school bike clubs, and put on fundraisers (as well as offered guided Dig Deep mountain bike tours on the mountain!). Galbraith has become central to our town’s mountain bike community, and increasingly plays host to some of the industry’s most exciting events as well. In 2022, Galbraith hosted the Cascadia Dirt Cup Enduro race during the first-annual Northwest Tuneup Festival. With the future of the trails secured, we can only expect more riding, more trails, and even better community engagement in the years to come
Mountain biker rides through lush forest in Bellingham. Photo by Eric Mickelson.
Public Lands For All
Galbraith Mountain represents a love story of trail, and trail-rider. It’s a tribute to unexpected partnerships, and unprecedented community engagement. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of early riders, and the radical act of collaboration that took place across industry lines, we now have the privilege of rolling up to Galbraith with assured access to the trails we cherish.
Sources:
https://www.aspireadventurerunning.com/local-gem-galbraith-mountain-and-long-term-relationships/
https://www.wmbcmtb.org/history
https://www.bellinghamherald.com/article22203387.html
https://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/local/article159919709.html
https://www.janickilogging.com/galbraith-mountain
https://www.seattletimes.com/life/outdoors/how-bellingham-became-a-mecca-for-mountain-biking/
https://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/local/article22202943.html
