My wife and I started at the parking lot of Ebey's Landing State Park. The views start immediately as you climb some stairs and the hill to the bluff. The best part of this hike is the changing of views from ocean level to bluff overlook. We saw a Northern Harrier flying below us as we hiked the bluff, and again later as we looked up at the bluff from the ocean. As we sat on a log for lunch, we saw a Common Loon fishing just off shore. We walked through flocks of 30 or more gulls scattering them as we strolled the beach section of the walk. Even though we saw over 40 people on the bluff trail, we only had about five people pass us as we sat down for lunch. It was very peaceful with water lapping, birds flying and boats sailing or motoring by. The round trip section we hiked was only 3.7 miles doing the bluff and beach walk. Starting at the cemetery up the road would add more distance. One photo shows the trail to the north, the other to the south.

Clara and I followed the Ebey's Landing Ridge Trail out to the end of Perego's Lagoon and came down the switchbacks to the beach. For years I've been curious about the stretch of shoreline north of this point. We paced off 1 KM and then conducted a shorebird study. This beach area is very isolated and rather stark: little driftwood, sparse wrack, no eratics, not much cobble, and a lot of nice sand. A large field of bull kelp floated offshore and gulls congregated in much larger numbers than at the park areas. More than once Clara nervously glanced over to the actively eroding bluff as falling stones and material interrupted the quietude. Fortunately, we saw scant litter--a few plastic caps, one beverage bottle, a butane lighter and a golf ball. At the base of the bluff we discovered sea grasses and a strange plant covered with pale pink lavender flowers. We followed the shoreline back to our car and possibly logged in 5 miles. It is time to invest in a GPS device; I would like to measure these distances more accurately.

Our first time at Ebey's Landing. We hiked the trail, came back on the beach side. Oh so beautiful, we have decided to come back next year and bicycle the islands, cannot wait.

Started our hike down in the parking fee area on the beach. Tide was incoming and noticed a nice line of bullhead kelp just off-shore. South end of Perego's Lagoon is dry salty white. Great contrast to the lovely blue sea and sky. Scrambled up the bluff about 1.5 miles down the beach. Trail is very dry and there are still some wildflowers along the way. Took a break along the top of the bluff trail in some shade. While resting witnessed a beautiful barred owl swoop down and capture a snake. Not many hikers on the trail mid-afternoon in the heat of the day. Fortunately the afternoon breeze kicked in making conditions tolerable. Great hike as always and a good workout.