Bottom Line:
How great is the PNW when you can snowshoe one day, and enjoy flower-carpeted bluffs the next, all while searching for elusive orcas in the Mediterranean seascapes of Anacortes? A cloudy day did not dappen the beauty of the bluffs, rocky headlands, islands, emerald water and madrona/cypress forests around Anacortes and Whidbey Island one bit. Stunning! Abundant shorebirds and harbor seals, but we just missed the orcas that were in Anacortes yesterday.
Stats:
- Distance: 5-1/4 miles
- Vertical: 1120 ft
- Duration: ~3 hours
- Road/Parking: Parking at the Burrows Channel Viewpoint is limited to ~6 cars; fee for overnight parking in select lots. Bowman Bay has a large lot for dozens of cars and is also a popular kayak launch spot. There are different lots around Ebey - the main one near the battery is large with room for dozens of cars, and available toilets. Deception Pass and Ebey require a Discover Pass.
- Weather: Mostly cloudy, 60Fs, no wind building to a light breeze
- Flowers: The serpentine soils of the Washington Park bluffs were carpeted with Sea Blush, Camas (purple), small-flowered Prairie Stars, Spring Gold, Death Camas (white), Gold Star, Chickweed, Scotch Broom, Daisies and Grass Widows. Fewer flowers at Deception Pass, and fewer still at Ebey.
- Trail: At Washington Point, there are many quiet bluff trails from the Burrows Channel Viewpoint out to Juniper Point. The trails seem more remote than they are, with the Loop Road tucked into the forest much higher up the bluff. Flowers were outstanding; we have seen porpoise and otters from this trail, although not yesterday. In Deception Pass, the trail from Bowman Bay out to Lighthouse Point is lovely, with a number of small rocky islands that can be reached at low tide. Excellent views of the Deception Pass bridge (CAUTION: Steep cliffs and exposure at times). We walked the Bluff Trail at Ebey, where one can explore the old battery and bunkers, and yesterday watched paragliders launch off the bluffs high above the beach. Views are limited on much of the Bluff Trail due to overgrown salal bush and steep drop-offs. Birds includes eagles and oyster fishers, both pretty loud and vocal! :)
- Takeaway: These are all beautiful trails, especially Washington Park and Deception Pass. There are some really good beaches for coming warmer days, and excellent kayaking to be had (yesterday I was really wishing I had my boat for the glasses waters around the Deception Pass headlands).
Higher resolution pics available at the Instagram link below.
Length
Elevation Gain
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