Mt. Teneriffe Challenge

We hadn't planned on doing this hike on this day. We had another planned, but life is what happens when you're planning. With the weather that day, our other plans were washed out. So we were grateful to have such a beautiful alternative, and set out unsuspecting of how difficult this innocent trail would become. We started on a gentle little trail through a pretty, and young forest. Later we would be climbing through second and third growth forest.

Love to see a trail not get in the way of the trees.

Looking up we're seeing the first twinges of fall color.

Yes, it's a pileated woodpecker hunting bugs

Here's what it's like when you're off trail

And the rugged, rocky, uphill begins in earnest. There were so many switchbacks we quickly lost track. I wish I could tell you we made it triumphantly to the top, but not on this day. That's a 3,800 foot elevation gain.

And here's the misty, overcast overlook. On a clear day you can see all the way to Rainier from this North Bend hike! I vow to return.

Bridge to the falls. This very dry year of ours, the falls were not at their most robust. What a beautiful forest day, nevertheless.

A Fun Day of Bluffing & Coasting - Ebey Landing

Ebey Landing on Whidbey Island, and nature at its grandest.  A beautiful heron posed and poised in the hunt for lunch.  Admiralty Inlet has the ideal conditions for large populations of salmon, which also eat the forage fish: surf smelt, sandlance, and pacific herring.  All these fish also attract wonderful birds.  These fish also attract orcas.  The eel grass beds offer the forage fish some hiding spots.

The hunt is on.  The Great Blue Heron is a majestic sight. This stately heron with its subtle blue-gray plumage often stands motionless as it scans for prey or wades belly deep with long, deliberate steps. They may move slowly, but Great Blue Herons can strike like lightning to grab a fish or snap up a gopher. In flight, look for this widespread heron’s tucked-in neck and long legs trailing out behind.

An artist at work

Tall beach grasses along the sandy trail to the beach on Admiralty Inlet

It's a rocky shore, interspersed with sandy oasis.  The rocks are smooth and round from eons with the gentle waves.  Some are so pretty and surprising colors.  Take a walk along the shore for incredible views and pack a picnic for a sandy oasis against a washed up, pale log while you listen to the ocean gently inhale and then noisily exhale waves over and over and over. 

Adorable prints in the sand

And a parade of prints, telltale proof of wild birdlife

A sweeping, spectacular view from the bluff trail.  Eroding bluffs help create the salmon friendly shore.  Currents carry the sand to nearby beaches. This sand along with the eel grass beds creates ideal conditions for the forage fish to lay their eggs.  Although this view looks high up, and it is, the trail is a gradual climb and very easy and kid friendly.  

The beautiful bluff trail moves in and out of the stunning  high bluff views of  Port Townsend and the Olympic Peninsula, and then along the wildlife forest.

The fun, winding hedgerows trail along the bluff and through the forest.

Lots of berry bushes and other vegetation attract wildlife

A gentle fawn.  Her mother who was nearby was too shy, and too fast, for a photo

Here's a cute little Douglas squirrel, also called a Chickaree.  You can see the distinctive orange tummy front on this hungry critter.  They live in conifer trees and eat nuts and conifer cones.  These squirrels are quite bold and have been known to bark, growl, whistle, or otherwise scold anyone they perceive as intruders on their territory.

The grassy, almost prairie fields as you get further along the bluff trail.  These don't have any beach access.  The bluff trail is altogether about 5 1/2 miles.

The gunnery at the top of the prairie field.  Battery 248 was on war alert during World War II.  It was the primary gun battery of Fort Ebey.  It was built in coordination with other installations on the coast between Fort Casey and Deception Pass.  As the war in the Pacific continued, it became clear the Japanese wouldn't threaten the Puget Sound.  The installations stayed on vigilant alert, but only fired at practice targets.  It was continued to be used as a training facility until 1965 when it was converted to a state park.

The look from inside a gunnery installation

One of the less celebrated wildlife inhabitants as it slides along the trail, the well-known Pacific Northwest slug.

And back to sweeping, wet views along the beach

The sounds of the many wild birds will entertain you from every direction all through your visit. There are laughing seagulls, cormorants, dark robins, and so much more. Occasionally you'll hear the roar from some bigger birds that belong to the naval station a little further along the coast, near Deception Pass.  Also, sea planes.  You can tell the different plane types from the engine sounds.

A gull line

Attempting a noble profile

A seagull with his friend the black tern.  More commonly found in eastern Washington.  Those in the west will usually fly to Mexico during the winter months.  They usually eat from the waters surface, they're not usually divers for dinner.

I wasn't lucky enough to see any of these mammals during my visit, although I did see plenty of fish breaking the surface of the water and diving back down.

I had a wonderful day along the beach and high on the bluff trail.

Highly recommended outing, hiking, picnicking spot.  Perfect place for relaxation and fun