The most hazardous part of going hiking is often driving to the trailhead. That was certainly true this week when snow on South Whidbey was packed hard and frozen creating a layer of almost invisible ice on the roads. Most people stayed home, but as the highway and main corridors were scraped and sanded, traffic began to flow again. Still the shady back roads had treacherous curves waiting for an inexperienced driver with more speed than good sense. Lee drove carefully to Saratoga Woods without slip sliding away. We pulled into the parking lot with just one other car, and another dog that needed a walk. Lee and her dog, Piper, were suffering from cabin fever. After being cooped up inside with this freezing weather we all needed a walk. Another truck pulled in just after us. A man got out followed by an eager chocolate lab. Drat, he said, his tool box on the back was frozen shut. He asked if we had a tennis ball. Lee found one in her trunk and tossed it to him. Piper had found it somewhere, she said, he could keep it. He swung his chucker and the dog launched after it in hot pursuit. We started our walk in our all-terrain-vehicles (snow boots) passing an old apple tree that was nearly hollow and riddled with sapsucker holes and still alive. An apple was stuck between its branches. This used to be a homestead. The remains of a building had been made into a picnic shelter. Across the road was the water and Mount Baker shining on the horizon. Though there was snow on the ground, the sky was clear, blue and bright as we took the trail across the field. Just passed the trail signs we plunged into darkness, entering a castle of tall trees. Piper led us as our eyes adjusted. A huge stump stood guard near the entrance, adorned with oranges, candles and long strings of red cranberries. We walked on, veered left, climbed a hill and circled back, soon finding ourselves at the meadow again. We laughed and started over. Staying on the straight and narrow we gradually climbed the ridge through the woods to the old runway, flat and straight, north and south. We crossed it and took another trail that led us to a fence and a No Trespassing sign. We laughed and turned around. Before reaching the runway, we turned left again following a narrow trail that paralleled the main drag. In a few minutes we arrived at our destination, the Rock. This house high boulder had traveled far on a cushion of ice that melted ten thousand years ago (give or take) to land here. The woods had grown up around it. Now it felt like a hidden treasure to be discovered by wayward wanderers. The rain, from the week before, had been absorbed by the moss on top and then trickled down the sides as temperatures fell, becoming an arsenal of icicles. A crystal waterfall edged down one side sparkling in the mid-morning sun. We circled the monolith standing back and peering up. Tall trees peered down on us from above. We climbed back up to the snowy runway, crossed it and headed down the Bent Tree Trail. Aptly named, this trail led us to curiously shaped trees that told interesting stories. One serpentine cedar crawled along the ground for 15 or 20 feet before swerving skyward. Another coiled itself at the base before becoming vertical. Another offered itself as a convenient seat alongside the trail. I couldn’t resist. Our descent brought us to another trail intersection and another decision to make. We discussed our options and then made our choice. Soon it became apparent which way to go. We emerged from the woodland castle refreshed by a wonderful walk to an enchanted stone, through a forest of magical trees. Maribeth Saratoga Woods has miles of trails that connect to Putney Woods and Metcalf Woods so it is easy to get turned around and walk much farther than intended. If you'd like a map, try this one. Directions: From Highway 525 in Bayview take Bayview Road north 3.6 miles to Langley. Turn left just after Saint Huberts Church on De Bruyen Ave. In one block turn left onto Saratoga Road and drive 2.5 miles to the parking lot on the left.
By Bus and Bike: Currently the closest bus service is to Langley at Anthes and 3rd, 2.8 miles from the trailhead. Saratoga Road is steep and windy with no shoulder. If you chose to ride a bike with traffic, please wear bright clothes and use lights. Mobility: This trail starts wide and gentle but gets steeper, and narrower, with more roots as it climbs to the runway. Though the runway is wide and flat, many of the trails are very narrow.
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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
May 2024
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