Whistle Lake - 9/4/18
One of my favorite hikes is to take the "Climber's Entrance" (trail #248) near the Lake Erie Store into Whistle Lake. This is a classic "old growth" deep forest hike that showcases so many of the treasures of the Anacortes Forest Lands (ACFL): lots of elevation "ups & downs" to get a good aerobic workout; limitless trail loops and routs to change up the routine; top-of-the-world views out over Campbell Lake and our home; and of course, a deep, cool, remote mountain lake as the destination!
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| This is one of Moxie's favorite hikes, and she is anxious to hit the trail... |
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| Moxie spots a squirrel in a tree |
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| September is a wonderful time of year to enjoy the Fall colors... |
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| Stunning overlook of Campbell Lake featuring the unique island in the middle; and Similk Bay and Whidbey Island beyond... |
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| Sometimes when Peggy stays behind, I'll call her on the cell and wave to her as we pass by the overlook... |
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The ACFL trails are well marked, but because there are so many routes it is recommended to carry the trail maps.
Hiking is open to all trails; but other uses such as horseback riding, mountain bike riding, and even motorbikes are limited to specific trails.
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On some hikes within the ACFL, it is not unusual to come across dozens of intersections. A short hike can become a very long hike if the right trail is not chosen.
Consider that the voice of experience, and also why I carry a headlamp for later afternoon hikes that have sometimes extended into evening treks! |
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Trails are well maintained and trail improvements such as bridges to cross the many creeks are abundant,
thanks to the local volunteers "Friends Of The Forest"
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| An old-growth stump is all the "improvement" Moxie needs for a perfect spot to rest along the trail... |
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Whistle Lake is a remarkable destination, feeling like a very remote mountain lake.
Even though the lake sits in the center of Fidalgo Island and is easily accessible by multiple entrance points around Anacortes,
more often than not we arrive to a "private lake" and enjoy it to ourselves...
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| Moxie takes the plunge into the cool, clear waters of one of her favorite swimming holes... |
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| Moxie swims in her "private" lake... |
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| Cooled off, ready for the hike back! |
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Whistle Lake is surprisingly deep, despite some narrow passages as it meanders among various rock formations in the heart of the ACFL.
As noted above, this is a local favorite for cliff jumping from as high as 20 to 25 feet above the water! |
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| On hot summer days, the tall canopy of trees provides nice shade for most of the route into Whistle Lake |
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| Moxie is truly this man's best friend (and hiking companion)! |
Heart Lake - 9/7/18
Remarkably, there are seven lakes on Fidalgo Island; three of which have trails encircling them, including Heart Lake, Whistle Lake, and Cranberry Lake. Three others, Campbell Lake, Pass Lake, and Lake Erie have trails that climb adjacent hillsides to offer great views. When we drive from our home into the quaint "downtown" of Anacortes just 3 miles away, we drive scenic Heart Lake Road that winds through the ACFL as we pass three of the lakes on our way (Campbell, Erie, & Heart). But getting out of the car and hiking is the best way to enjoy these lakes...
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| Peggy & Moxie enjoying the fresh air and quiet solitude afforded by this perimeter lake trail just a mile from home |
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Heart Lake provides relatively easy hiking with less vertical challenges, but still features very lush surroundings. |
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| Because there is very little elevation gain while hiking the perimeter of Heart Lake, there are no "top of the world" views like we see of Campbell Lake. Instead, we find smaller peak-a-boo views interspersed from the typical deep woods views |
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| The Heart Lake trail keeps very close to the lake, providing ample lush vegetation |
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We have been hiking together for over 37 years, finding God's beauty in the mountains, shorelines, and wooded trails.
In retirement, it is especially a blessing that we can find such beauty and solitude so close to home!
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Pass Lake to Ginnett Hill to Big Cedar - 9/9/18
In the decade we have lived on Fidalgo Island, despite hiking nearly every week we continue to find new trails in this local paradise. Some "finds" result from trying an existing fork in a trail for the first time; but we have also discovered new miles of trail constructed in recent years, such as the John Tursi Trail and Big Cedar Trail. The steep and old growth areas around Ginnett Hill now include multiple new access points for some stunning terrain where one rarely comes across another soul. In addition to some great terrain, this area includes the remains of an old prospector's log cabin and the ruins of a cave that was excavated as a mine. Add some stunning views looking East over Campbell Lake with brilliant Fall colors and you have the ingredients for a visual feast...
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| Traversing trails brings a sensory overload of greens and browns... |
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| A natural staircase of living tree roots... |
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| Late sun filters through the ridge top along the John Tursi Trail |
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Peek-a-boo view of Campbell Lake and the large rock cliff that we view from our home across the lake.
Most are not aware that this corner of Campbell Lake actually touches into the boundary of Deception Pass State Park.
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| The ruins of an old log cabin are evidence of a harsher way of life a century ago... |
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| The aging cabin's rotting logs overgrown with moss are evidence of Mother Nature taking back what was once hers... |
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| Just a stone's throw from the cabin are the remains of old mining activity. The cave goes back about 60 feet into the side of the mountain. |
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| Brilliant Fall colors and decomposing plant material are evidence of the changing of the seasons... |
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| Stunning "top-of-the-world" viewpoint from what I call "The Balcony" overlooking the West end of Campbell Lake, looking East... |
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| Mt. Erie's 1,200 foot height towers over rich pastures and homesteads along the Northern shore of Campbell Lake |
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| Big views, big smiles! Dogs can smile too, right? |
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| Moxie loves scrambling on the steep rock faces of "The Balcony" |
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| Both Ginnett/Tursi Trail and Big Cedar/West Pass Lake Loop are new trails added in the past couple of years |
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| The new Big Cedar loop unveils a lush and steep landscape... |
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| ...and feels like a lost world as the trail traverses a steep ravine. |
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| It is easy to walk right past this massive, towering "Big Cedar" tree if you are looking down at the trail, rather than looking up and ahead... |
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| Look up, way up: it is still hard to see to the top of "Big Cedar" |
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| Closer to the earth, all sorts of fungi thrive on the damp nursing logs |
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| Looking down, closer inspection inevitably reveals more nature at work... |
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| Building trail-marking "cairns" is a respectful, silent way to communicate to other hikers |
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| An old logging road connects part of the Pass Lake loop to Big Cedar trail |
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| The "outer" Pass Lake loop takes one nearly to Rosario Road, which has access to both Bowman Bay and Rosario Beach |
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| Trail's end (and start) at Pass Lake |
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Yellow highlight shows previously established trail; red portions indicate recently added trails.
In total, today's route took exactly 3 hours to cover approximately 7 miles. |
Thanks for viewing!
~Mark
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