“When Chekhov saw the long winter, he saw a winter bleak and dark and bereft of hope. Yet we know that winter is just another step in the cycle of life. Standing here among the people of Punxsutawney and basking in the warmth of their hearths and hearts, I couldn't imagine a better fate than a long and lustrous winter.” Phil Conners, Groundhog Day January has been a windy, wet, wild, gray, cold, dark, shadowy, and blustery month. I knew I needed to get out regardless of the weather and dispel the wintertime blues with some adventurous hiking. As I drove west, I could see the clouds thinning out, and even a hint of the sun playing peek-a-boo. I headed to Deception Pass, but not wanting to deal with the crowds of people who will descend there with the slightest break in the weather, I crossed over the bridge and kept driving past the overcrowded bridge parking lot, down to Cornet Bay Road and then east. I parked just west of the Retreat Center exit road, found the entrance to the Bob Marchett trail, and headed toward Goose Rock. Soon I came to the wetland, with a bridge made of half-logs covered with metal grating for good tread. As I crossed, I saw an Indian Plum with bright-green leaves exploding out of its swollen buds, the first greenery of the year. The color was brilliant against the grays all around. Eventually the trail intersected with the connector trail coming from the park office. I followed that east down to the shores of Cornet Bay. A young couple were rowing a boat, lighthearted and laughing as they shared a maritime adventure. A man came down the trail from Goose Rock, dressed only in an orange t-shirt and shorts. As I looked at my clothing of jeans and a long-sleeved shirt and sweatshirt under a jacket, one of us was not dressed appropriately. Then he turned and ran back up the steep trail. Now I fully understood. I headed east on the Perimeter trail, finding two people looking quite perplexed. I asked if they would like some directions, and they said yes, could they get to the bridge by going the way I had come from? I said yes, but there would be a couple key intersections they would need to negotiate to get back to the bridge. They took the safe choice and headed back the way they had come. Meanwhile, I passed a currant with the tiniest tips of green as their new leaves tested the winter air. They will be flowering pink very soon. Offshore, two people paddled a bright blue kayak across the evergreen waters near Strawberry Island. The Perimeter Trail leads to the NE Summit Trail, a seldom-used route that climbs steeply and steadily. I followed that to avoid the far more popular NW Summit trail. As I climbed, sweat began to soak my first layer of clothing and drip off my hair, so I took a break and had a piece of raspberry chocolate, a much-appreciated gift from a friend. As I munched, I noticed a huckleberry also leafing out here in the dense shade of the backside of Goose Rock. Winter was losing its grip. I hiked up to the top and wandered over to the northwest peak of Goose Rock; of the two peaks it has the most expansive views. Sunlight reflected off the Salish Sea near the westward-facing points of Whidbey Island; bright clouds over the Olympics framed the peaks and foothills in bold splashes of light. I noticed the low cedar railing that defines the trail around the fragile meadows on Goose Rock were in a state of disarray. The signs that said “Please respect the meadow” were faded to the point of being illegible. A group of hikers arrived at the top and promptly stepped right over the railing, not understanding their purpose and value in protecting the meadows. Having now cooled off from the ascent, I took the South Summit Trail back down, with two runners wearing yellow camelbaks passing me as they ran up the hill. I entered the wild garden of rhododendrons and observed that the rhodies were still tightly wrapped up in their winter wear, waiting for warmer and longer days before budding and flowering. Then I heard a tonk-tonk-tonk. Tonk-tonk-tonk! I looked around for a bright red head, and soon found one on the side of a large Doug fir that looked healthy except for the growing holes in its bark from the pileated woodpecker drilling for dinner. Soon I was almost back to Cornet Bay Road. During the last hundred feet I saw a flash of pink off to the side. A salmonberry flower had emerged in full glory to celebrate a new season, shouting “It’s spring!” Maybe the calendar would disagree, but my winter-weary spirit welcomed the message. jack Directions: You can get to Cornet Bay Road for free by transit bus from the March Point transfer point or from anywhere on Whidbey Island. Or you can park at the bridge, if there is room, or south of the bridge on the south-bound side so long as you are fully off the roadway. Or you can park at the park office, at the nearby store, or at the large parking lot at east Cranberry Lake. Or you can park like I did on the side of the road on Cornet Bay Road, just west of the retreat center, and follow the Bob Marchett trail towards the peak. Again, be off the traveled portion of the roadway and make sure the shoulder is level and solid where you park. A good map of the trails is recommended if you are not familiar with Goose Rock.
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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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