A beautiful day to take this all time favorite beach hike! The flowers are not as showy as in past years, it looks like the large stands of lupine are being out competed by the grass, Oregon grape and roses. The vetch that covered the hills in purple is still there, but not yet in full bloom. Still there were flowers, bright yellow sand verbena, brodiaea and tapertip onion hiding in the grass, bright pink roses and lots of yellow daisy flowers I have yet to ID. AND I found the cactus!! It was not blooming that I could see from such a distance, but the elusive prickly pear is, in fact, here. I posted a picture, but it's not very good, too far away. It is across from the lagoon about halfway, and only about a quarter of the way up, right of a cluster of trees, look for a faint path making a switchback. (I know, I know, most people will not get excited about this kind of thing, but there it is). The trail is pretty narrow at the top and a bit brushy where the tall grass is hanging over. Loo at the bottom (State Park) was clean and had TP. Discover Pass for beach parking lot. 

We hiked from the parking lot along the bluff trail, took the switchbacks down to the beach and then walked back along the shoreline. There were still a fair number of people out hiking but it slowed down as we started hiking around 4pm. The weather was moody and windy but it was still a beautiful day to hike Ebey’s.

Easy day hike with great views of the Sound and the Olympics. The Bluff Trail was in great shape. 

We hiked the loop from the southend parking area, up the ridge, and then back along the beach. We hiked with our kids ages 8 and 13. If hiking with kids, it may be helpful to know there are many exposed steep drop offs along the ridge trail where the trail is narrow. Our kiddos did great, and only a couple times did I think about the movie princess bride and hope we didn’t have an “as you wish” moment. Anyway, it was a lovely day on Whidbey and we enjoyed the 3.5 mile loop. With lots of stops to view wildflowers, bald eagles, small purple moths/butterflies, climb trees, explore beach forts, find cool rocks, and take pics… it was a leisurely 2.5 hour hike. If was up to my kids we would have spent many extra hours on the beach! The bugs weren’t bad today, just a few bees around the trail. We’ve been here in the summer when the bees were bad.

We arrived at 10:30am and street parking was available. When we came back around 1pm there was parking available in the lot. Bathrooms were clean and stoked with TP. Remember sunscreen if it’s nice out, there is little to none tree coverage.

Happy trails!

Hiked this loop yesterday. Easy, well maintained trail, very pretty. Flowers are blooming, but I think it’s just the beginning. 
There was plenty of parking, but it was not the weekend. Also, very nice restrooms.