The sun was out, I was restless, so I went to explore the Trustland Trails near Bayview. I’d heard there were some new trails and I wanted to try them out. Studying the map at the trailhead kiosk, there were many options to choose from! Lots of loops within loops. I decided to make the biggest loop and started in a counterclockwise direction. It was smooth sailing along the first stretch as I walked west on Mossy Way. I saw the church through the trees as I turned south on Swordfern Lane. I was walking in an emerald forest. There was so much lush, green vegetation. Salal, sword fern and evergreen huckleberry made a hedge on each side. Tall trees made a green canopy above. This is so different from the deciduous forests where I grew up. There a carpet of brown leaves lay thick on the ground and bare branches rattled in winter winds above. But here, in this Evergreen State, we have lush life all around us even in the depth of winter. The trail was smooth and wide with little paths connecting local neighborhoods. I began to meet people walking their dogs. First, a big, friendly, yellow lab with its equally friendly people. Later, a nice older couple with an older speckled dog, pulling them along. And finally, an old friend with her two small pooches who perched on their favorite stump for a treat. I looped around Alder Alley and came back north on the newly constructed trails from Cedar Hollow to the Overlook Trail where there’s a steep ravine below. On the Ravine Loop I started noticing the curious shapes of trees and stumps. One had a spray of salal erupting from the top and hanging almost to the ground. Another large stump had the tell-tale springboard notch, evidence of the use of a two-man saw. The notch looks like the stump has an open mouth and will tell you about it if you stay awhile. As I came back to the Cedar Hollow trail, there was a tree with the candelabra of limbs that started growing straight up when the top was broken. And another tree with a loop in the trunk. I stopped in my tracks wondering how that could have happened. I continued north on the Raven Ridge trail. This is the hilly end of the park. Climbing helped me stay warm on this winter day. After an hour I reached the ADA loop near the entrance. The Serenity Loop is almost level with a surface of packed gravel, easily wide enough for two wheelchairs to pass. It’s a calm, quiet and lovely forest. The trail is smooth, wide, and inviting. As I was coming out at the parking lot, I met Jan who was just getting out of her car. She was putting her cane away and pulling her walker out. We talked for a few minutes. She loved walking the South Whidbey trails and we laughed about getting lost on a few. She posed for a picture as she set out on her walk around the loop trail. Another friend had told me how she used to bring her father there in his wheelchair. She said it gave him a lot of peace and pleasure. It’s such a blessing to have all these trails here, whether you do the biggest hilliest loop, the littlest smoothest loop, or something in between. They all bring joy and peace to an open heart. Maribeth Take a picture of the map at the trailhead kiosk with your phone or download this one before you go. South Whidbey Parks and Recreation welcome volunteer trail maintainers. Call 360-221-5484 for details. Directions: The Trustland Trails are on South Whidbey Island just off Highway 525, 1.5 miles south of the stoplight at Bayview, 9 miles north of the Clinton ferry. Turn south on Craw Road then take an immediate right into the parking lot. The park has a picnic shelter but no restroom. Gates close at dusk.
Bus and Bike: Take the fare-free Island Transit Route 1 or Route 60 bus Southbound from Bayview. Ask the driver to let you off at Craw Road. Walk 100 yards to the park on the right. There is no place for a bus to pull over off the highway going north, so if you need to go north, catch the Southbound bus, and make a connection to a Northbound bus. The friendly bus driver will be happy to help or call 360-678-7771. Or get a schedule here. Mobility: The ADA loop is suitable for those with mobility challenges. It’s about a ½ mile long and almost level with a smooth, hard packed surface. The other trails vary with a few hills but are well maintained and mostly wide and smooth.
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Authors
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
Categories
All
|