Rosario has a special guest right now. I don’t know how long she will stay, but there she is, quite at home as she should be, in the shadow of the Maiden. People have named her Ellie Mae, which has some purpose in the name, as she is a female elephant seal, a fellow traveler on our planet uncommonly seen in our Salish Sea, and especially right here close to home. The elephant seal is a federally protected species, so a rope perimeter has been set up around it to ensure we all keep a respectful distance away. Check out some further information about elephant seals here: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/northern-elephant-seal Then explore the tidepools if it is low tide, walk the beach at any tide, and enjoy the grand experience of this ancient headland like the bow of a ship heading to sea. The Rosario hike this week found sunshine and seals, people and pristine beauty, recreation and reverence for this soul area of Deception Pass. If you pay your State Park fee you can park in the beach-side parking area; if you can’t afford one, park outside the gate but off the paved roadway. A short walk leads to the maiden and the beach, and another short but steep walk leads to 300 degree views. jack Directions: Just north of the Deception Pass Bridge turn onto Rosario Road, drive about 0.7 miles (one kilometer) and angle left down the hill on Cougar Gap Road. Turn left onto Rosario Beach Road and you will be there in less than a minute. (See pages 88 and 89 in Hiking Close to Home)
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Maribeth Crandell has been a hiking guide in the Pacific NW for over 20 years. She's lived on Whidbey and Fidalgo Island for decades. As a frequent bus rider she easily makes connections between trails and transit. Archives by date
April 2024
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