Hiked all of the main trails at South Whidbey State Park today, i.e. Wilbert Trail, Ridge Trail, Forest Discovery Trail, Beach Access Trail. All of the trails are in good condition except the Beach Access Trail. I entered the Beach Access trail from the campgrounds and exited at the parking lot where the Amphitheater is located. At the Amphitheater entrance there were 2 big signs saying the Beach Access Trail is closed, but there are no signs stating this elsewhere. In hiking down to the beach it is easy to understand why the trail is closed. The trail is passable if the trail is dry, but there is a near wash-out section that would be hazardous if the trail was wet, and there are multiple trees down on the trail that you have to climb over, under and in one case through. Finally, the stairs at the final end of the trail have been destroyed by soil movement. You can get to the beach, but it takes some effort.
The trails on the east side of Smugglers Cove are really wonderful if you want to experience what an old growth forest might have been like, as this side has a lot of really old and large Douglas Firs and Western Red Cedar. Several of these are 20-25 feet in circumference at shoulder height. In particular the Ancient Cedar is really big, but you can't get close to it because they have it blockaded to protect the root system. If you hike the east side, choose the Wilbert Trail vs the Ridge trail as the Wilbert Trail is more scenic.
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