Ebey’s Landing
Miles we Drove: 42
Miles we Trod: 3.8
Difficulty: 2 out of 5
Whidbey Island stays at the top of our list when it comes to nearby destinations. Kicking off my New Year’s resolution with Ebey’s Landing and a beautiful January day makes me feel hopeful for the hikes to come.
Picture Perfect Day
Parking, schmarking!
We found a spot along the road, near the beach trailhead (there is another parking lot at Sunnyside Cemetery) and watched clumps of people making their way along the rocky, narrow beach. A quick stop at the well-stocked pit toilet and we hit the steep stairs leading to the upper part of the trail. While there was a little more incline to go, and some up and down along the way, the trail itself was well-packed dirt and easy to navigate. With a few decent-sized landing areas allowing for breaks if needed. The main part of the upper trail elevates you high above the beach with instant and enduring views.
A few things to keep in mind on the upper trail:
- Keep small children close at hand. The sometimes-dizzying bluff is both exhilarating and deserves respect.
- Wear long pants and close-toed shoes. Some of the brush along the trail looked a little wicked.
On the way back
A lazy switch-back trail leads to the second part of this hike. The beach! Heading back towards the parking lot, a driftwood barrier hides Paregos Lake. Large and small rocks buffeted by hard packed sand make for a decidedly different walk back to the car.
There’s a Word for That?
I can’t help but search out unique rocks on the way back. I discovered today that this has a name, rockhounding. Totally what it sounds like and now I know that I’m a rockhound. I’m always careful not to take too many natural treasures, but my pockets click with rocks along the way.
