This report is intended mostly as an update on the storm damage we reported on Dec 30, 2022.
Again we parked at Roadside Park along Spur Hwy 20 in Anacortes, opposite Kansas Ave. My hiking buddy Marin and I descended the wooden staircase to reach the waterside Guemes Channel Trail. The staircase itself was relatively dry and was not slippery.
As often, we began by hiking the Guemes Channel Trail east to the trail's end at the locked gate and fenced private property boundary, with views of the beached and overgrown old schooner Merced (Spanish for "Mercy.")
After a pause here, we reversed direction and set off westward. The trail was relatively dry, and we encountered no obstacles until we reached the barrier near the far western end. The sign postings there are more definite now (photo,) and indicate clearly that there are no plans to repair this last section of the route.
The breach between the former fresh water wetland and the ocean will be allowed to remain (photo, ) and the wetland will be allowed to transition to an "estuarine" wetland with salt water.
As far as hiking through to the ferry terminal goes, only a few feet of the former trail is impacted. But hikers intending to use the beach route to or from the terminal will need to check tides and waves even more carefully than before.
We returned the way we had come.
Along the way we noted a hummingbird, and we enjoyed watching two black oystercatchers roaming the rocky beach seeking a snack of mussels.
Some early wildflowers are out. In the sunnier areas a lot of Indian plum is showing its blooms, and we noted a a small group of crocuses (photo.)
Today we enjoyed pleasantly warm temperatures near 50 F, with only a slight breeze. Clouds were forming off to the east, but there was no rain while we were out.
We encountered only a few other hikers on the trails today. In many respects it was a great day to be out. Visibility was good and bugs were not a problem.
Hikers will be glad to note the presence of a new portable toilet at the drive-in trailhead. It had been missing for several months, with would-be users directed to distant, inconvenient alternatives.
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