Ebey's Landing — Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023

Quick walk along Ebey’s Landing early Saturday morning before lunch with family.  We parked at the upper lot - I noticed on a previous report that the upper lot doesn’t seem to have the Discover Pass signage that the lower lot does, and that’s what it looked like today, take that for what it’s worth.  Restrooms at both lots were open, though the pair of newer ones at the upper lot are nicer.  We did a simple lollipop loop, out to the bluff, up the bluff trail, back down the beach then back around to the upper lot.  This route clocked in at 5.1 miles and just 266’ gross vertical.  No issues with the trails, though as always there are bits along the bluff with some drop offs which can be a bit challenging for folks who have challenges with heights.

It was a gorgeous morning with the low fog slowly rolling towards the water over the farmland, clear views of Mt. Baker, the Olympics, up and down the straight etc.  The outline of Mt. Rainier was just visible early but then got too hazy to see.  A fair bit of wildlife, heron in the kelp fields, cormorant, ducks, gulls, what I believe was a Coopers hawk looking for breakfast in the farm field, a couple small (maybe yearling) seals in the water.  Quite a bit of marine traffic out - cruise ship, big container vessel, grainer, big tug with a couple barges, the Victoria Clipper headed north, etc.  On a personal note - we lost my little brother several months ago and he is up at the cemetery there (heck of a view, eh?)  - would have been his birthday this weekend.  I guess the message here is “life is darn short, go hiking”.  A beautiful morning and cheers.