Fed up with trying to predict where the smoke from the Bolt Fire was headed we decided to go for a safe bet for clean air with a hike at Ebey's Landing. This is normally a winter hike for us so it was interesting to see it as it heads into fall. We arrived from the north and parked at the cemetery lot which is a great choice for finding easy to access spaces, plenty there when we arrived at 10:30 on a Sunday. It's pretty breezy though so also a good time to add an extra jacket to your pack.
Once along the track and after turning north along the cliff trail the wind eased and the sun made it feel pretty warm although the real temps were around the mid 60s. The path up to the top of the cliff is a bit soft which is different to winter. Colors are mostly tawny colored grass with white berries and red hips on the shrubs, but there are still some yellow blooms hanging on. The views out to the Olympics were good, no smoke here and the water that intense shade of blue you only see in the fall sun before it is claimed by winter's clouds.
On the way back we hiked next to the lagoons then switched over to the beach. Every time I hike here I swear next time I will check the tide chart, but there we were again having to hike high on the beach to avoid the waves. It's a slog, taking your pick from awkward soft sand or shape shifting cobbles. Next time lol. By the time we reached the beach parking lot spaces were at a premium and the trail was beginning to feel busy but for us it was a quick jaunt back to the junction and then east again past the block tower to our car.
It's only a half day hike so after we finished we drove on for ten minutes to Fort Casey State Park and had lunch by the light house there. Then plenty of time to stop in Langley for ice cream followed by a super easy no line ferry trip back to Mukilteo.
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