598

Ebey's Landing — Oct. 10, 2021

Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
2 photos
shegoat
WTA Member
300

8 people found this report helpful

 

Despite the ferry situation this weekend and ominous weather report, I ventured over to Port Townsend to visit an old friend and climbing buddy.  By 11 am or so the rain stopped and the winds kicked up.  We took the Coupeville ferry to Whidbey on bikes and road to the lower trailhead for Ebey’s Landing.  Locked the bikes to wooden posts and started our hike up the bluff.  The sun was out and cold wind was whipping.  The hillside trail was dry and in great shape. Had an eagle hovering over our heads while up on the bluff which is always special.  We decided to trek down onto the beach and complete the loop counterclockwise.  The tide was high and rough but we had enough beach for the traverse.  Lots of kelp on the sand and in the water.  Lots of conversation made the loop go fast.  At the end we snacked, then geared up for the ride back.  Saw maybe 10 people on the trail.  The scenery the entire way was stunning and we road on a variety of terrain in and out of state parks.  Lots of sun, wind, and tumultuous waterways.  Glad I took the journey.  Ebey never disappoints.

Ebey's Landing — Sep. 24, 2021

Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
4 photos
Quantum Guru
Outstanding Trip Reporter
300
  • Wildflowers blooming

3 people found this report helpful

 
It had been a while since we did this hike and there have been some changes. Since we live in Anacortes we had no need of a ferry, just took Highway 20 south across the Deception Pass bridge, then continued on through Oak Harbor, and beyond.
Before heading down the hill toward Coupeville we turned right onto Sherman Road, passed the cemetery, and found a parking niche in the small lot on the left. (A larger lot is available a bit farther along to the right.)
A free brochure available at the headquarters, titled "Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve," offers historical commentary and a map of the surrounding area.
 
My hiking buddy Marin and I set out on the gravel trail heading southwest past the old home and blockhouse. We followed along next to a barbed wire fence, with good views to the south and east across Whidbey Island's varying terrain, and to Cascade peaks beyond.
 
When we reached the Bluff Trail we headed northwest up the ridge (According to WTA's hike description, "Hikers are asked to hike Ebey's Landing as a one-way loop temporarily, as it is difficult to maintain physical distance on sections of the trail." This seemed a  good thought, and would have been more helpful if the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction had been specified. The additional link "See a map of the requested route" did not lead to any clarification.)
 
We found the main trail open all the way, but frequent side trails, some of them just social trails, were signed "Trail Closed."
 
The ridge walk had a lot of minor ups and downs, with extensive views out to Admiralty Inlet, and inland into  rather dark forest and an occasional nearby residence.
 
Eventually the route began to switchback downhill, leading to the northern end of Perego's Lake, as it's called on the map in the brochure. Here, there seemed to be two options: to head directly for the beach, or to follow the obvious, long-established trail around the seaward side of the lake. (A former third route, along the base of the steep hillside, seems no longer to be in service.) We opted to begin with the lakeside option (trail visible in Marin's photo.)
 
This route offered interesting low vegetation, tall grasses, some late-blooming composite wildflowers, occasional driftwood, and sightings of two herons and a few other shore birds. We were never out of hearing of the surf that was just a few yards away to our right.
 
When we reached the southern end of the lake it was obvious that the connector to the former trail along the steep hillside is no longer present, so that route definitely is out of service now. (I recall enjoying it on a solo hike a few years ago. Impermanence happens.)
 
We easily moved over to the beach to continue our walk south. This offered additional bird sightings, a variety of interesting rocks and shells to contemplate, and some complex sand layering exposed in the steep hillside.
 
At the southern trailhead, we noted many additional cars parked near a cupola and restroom. Our trail headed steeply up the slope, then became more nearly level before a final bit of uphill to reach our incoming trail along the fence that took us back to our parking area.
 
It was a very pleasant day to be out on the trails, sunny but not hot, with only a few wisps of cloud in the air. Our trails did not seem particularly crowded, although we did encounter a few other hikers.

Ebey's Landing — Sep. 24, 2021

Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
Quantum Guru
Outstanding Trip Reporter
300
 

Ebey's Landing — Sep. 15, 2021

Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
4 photos
CoralReef
25
Beware of: trail conditions
  • Hiked with a dog

2 people found this report helpful

 

We hiked the Bluff Trail as an out-and-back. The views are incredible!

We parked in the Visitor Center overflow lot (although as it turned out, the lot by the VC was not full) and enjoyed a scenic walk past the old Ebey house and blockhouse, past fields and pastures, to the Bluff Trail. There are privies at the VC.

The Bluff Trail has wonderful views. It can be scary, because at times it runs along a nearly vertical drop with nothing to break a fall. I would not want to hike here if the trail was wet and slippery. The trail is narrow, but there are places where you can pull over to allow other hikers to pass, and everyone we met was courteous and cooperative about social distancing. The soft sand of the trail is easy on the joints.

We hiked it as an out-and-back, rather than a loop, because doing the loop requires you to traverse a *very* steep section between the Bluff Trail and the Beach Trail. This section would be dangerous when wet, and we weren’t comfortable even doing it dry. Quite a few other people were turning back as well. Hiking from the VC, plus the Bluff Trail as an out-and-back, added up to a little more than 6 miles. There are some mildly strenuous elevation gains and drops, but nothing too extreme or extended.

We also walked a little way southeast from the start of the Bluff Trail to the beach. The beach is walkable for a long way in both directions, and is more accessible from the southern end of the Bluff Trail than the northern end.

This is a beautiful, scenic hike. We enjoyed it immensely!

Ebey's Landing — Sep. 5, 2021

Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
CaroleT
WTA Member
5
 

Beautiful and very different "walk" versus a hike on this Labor Day weekend.   Trail was well groomed although people definitely weren't going the "co-vid one way".   Lovely and easy walk for everyone, including dogs going up the trail, the Praire Trail and then back down to the beach.  Enjoyable for everyone of all ages.  Appreciated how different it was from the Rainirer and Rte 9/20 hikes.  Loved the exposure and hearing the beach the whole time.  Pretty busy.