FOOTPATHS

Hike and Walk the Islands This Fall

By Roseann Alspektor

Looking for that perfect getaway weekend for a hike, great bed and breakfasts, incredible restaurants, and even a triathlon, marathon, or half marathon? Well look no farther than the islands up north in the state of Washington. Located in the Puget Sound only 25 miles north of Seattle and two hours from Vancouver, Canada, Whidbey and Camano Islands can be accessed by ferry or you can arrive in style and land on the water at most of the scenic bays in a seaplane.

Whidbey and Camano Islands are just that, islands, and that means lots of water, and lots of boating opportunites. Speaking of water, for those interested in seeing gray whales from water level, nothing beats a sea kayak. While kayaking is a year around activity, the annual migration of gray whales through the Saratoga Passage each spring affords the adventurous paddler a chance for a close encounter with these remarkable animals.

If you consider yourself a foodie then this is the place to eat. There are many great restaurants but the best kept secret are the Penn Cove Mussels. The magic of why these mussels are so good lies in the geography of the region. There are two fresh water river systems that feed into the east side of the island, bringing a lot of nutrient rich water from the mountains. To the west is the Olympic Mountain Range. The mountains absorb much of the rain from incoming Pacific storms, creating a rain-shadow where the climate is somewhat warmer and drier. That makes a good situation for algae development. Mussels love to eat algae and here they grow quickly, allowing the harvest of mussels after they are only a year old.

Walking and Hiking
The islands offers many peaceful walks and lovely hiking trails. Some of the most popular Whidbey hikes include Deception Pass State Park in Oak Harbor and Ebey’s Landing in Coupeville. Hiking in Deception Pass includes old-growth forests, sand dunes and 174 varieties of bird. Spectacular views of shoreline, mountains, islands and sunsets mark this park a favorite for visitors to the Northwest.

Ebey’s Landing offers a 3.6 mile route that begins at the trailhead at the end of Ebey Road and offers sweeping views of Admiralty Inlet and the Olympic Mountains to the west. Nearby is the two-mile Kettles Trail Park, just north of Coupeville. Camano Island State Park has a five-mile self-guided nature trail and a series of loop trails. Less obvious places to go hiking include Meerkerk Gardens Forest Preserve and the Greenbank Farm trails, both on Whidbey. One of the newest public spots for hiking is at Cama Beach State Park. Once a popular beach resort in the 1930s, it’s located on the southwest shore of Camano Island, facing Saratoga Passage and Whidbey Island. The site includes trails and a mile of saltwater beach for hiking or strolling. There are also guided walks available on the islands.

Saratoga Woods includes diverse landscapes. The easterly portion is a high bluff that provides dramatic, unobstructed views of Saratoga Passage, Camano Island, Mt. Baker, and the North Cascades.
 
Whidbey Walks Trail Guide
Interested in hiking the trails on Whidbey Island? Use a Whidbey Walks Trail Guide or join our walking group, Meet Feet on Whidbey! The Whidbey Walks Shop features handcrafted walking sticks and cermenonial staffs made from local northwest wood. Elaine Woods is a certified fitness guide who is available to lead groups, families, or individuals on any of the many trails located around Whidbey Island. Guided walks can feature fitness tips, natural history with native plant and woodland information, or cultural history. Great for visitors and wedding groups! Visit www.whidbeywalks.com and click on the Events and Blog page for the calendar of outings.
 
Camano Island
Camano Island State Park is a 134-acre camping park with 6,700 feet of rocky shoreline and beach. The park provides sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and offers opportunities for shellfish harvesting.
 
Camano Island’s Cama Beach State Park is the re-birth of a family fishing resort that opened in the 1930s and provided happy memories for countless families until 1989 when changing vacation patterns forced it to close.
 
Trail and Tour Maps
If you need directions on how to get around, whether it’s mountain biking, a trail through a State Park, or driving from studio to studio during an open studio tour, you can download a map at www.whidbeycamanoislands.com/maps. Trail maps for Whidbey and Camano Islands Parks are also available to download.

RoseAnn Alspektor is the Tourism Marketing Coordinator for the Whidbey and Camano Islands Tourism Island County, WA. Alspektor can be contacted at 360-929-6871 or RoseAnn@IslandCountyTourism.com. For more information visit www.WhidbeyCamanoIslands.com.