Whidbey Island was gorgeous on this cool, blue-sky April day. Edelman and I cruised down from B'ham this morning, crossing over Deception Pass--where my parents had their honeymoon, as my father liked to joke about (they were together 46 yrs., so the "deception" couldn't have been that bad). Anyway, just making the point that even the drive there is lovely, alternating between views of the Cascades and Olympics, Puget Sound and farmland.
THE HIKE: We headed to Fort Ebey State Park first, where we drove to the end of the road (where there's a stocked, clean outhouse) and hit the bluff trail. There's a trail map at a TH kiosk, but I got one from the state park website. The Kettles Trail system runs through there, too, with a bunch of trails shooting off from the bluff trail and the various parking areas. We focused on the bluff trail, but all trails are clearly signed. The bluff trail leads along the bluff, but unlike Ebey's Landing Bluff Trail, it weaves in and out of coastal woods and leads down to a very nice beach after about 1.25 miles. WE walked along the beach once we go there, and saw three bald eagles, a rabbit, and a hawk. Lots of picnic tables and campsites all through the trail area.
After returning the way we came, we decided we wanted to go further (RT by this point was only about 3 miles), so we drove southeast on Hwy 20 to reach Ebey's Landing. There are lots of entries on this website for that trail, but I will reiterate that it's a beautiful area and quintessentially PNW: wind-blown bluff with wild roses (which will be blooming in June), breeze-sculpted fir trees, hawks wheeling just feet above your head, eagles caroling above you as well. We did the loop hike, adding about 3.5 more miles to our day.
Challenges: the trails in both places are easy to follow--you won't get lost, though I'd bring a map. The Ebey's Landing Bluff Trail gets narrow in places and traces pretty closely along the bluff. Folks with serious acrophobia or vision impairment may find it a little much. No need for poles. Wear layers and bring a sun hat--the wind is chilly and the sun bright. Oh, and there are some MONDO black jack bees bombing around the various flowering shrubs. They're not aggro or anything, just kind of weird looking . . .RT total today was maybe 6.5 miles.
Comments