Category Archives: Anacortes

Anacortes

Pass Lake Loop Hike

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DECEPTION PASS STATE PARK

ANACORTES

Activity: Day Hike

2 miles. 423′ elevation gain, 1 hour duration, rated Easy

Date: 6-15-22

Started out a great little trek with a nice lake, well maintained trail, and a proper PNW forest. About halfway through the trail became a little over grown, then some muddy spots to maneuver, and all of that was okay, but the part I didn’t like is the portion of the hike that is near a busy road. Still an enjoyable hike.

My recommendation in this case would be do this particular hike as an out and back instead of a loop to avoid the road noise. 

Be advised you will need a Discovery Pass for parking.

Proper PNW Woodland
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Alec entertains Nature
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“Nature is the purest portal to inner peace.” -Angie Weiland Crosby

Thanks for joining my son Alec and myself on this little jaunt in the woods. We were very busy on this day trying to take in and experience as much as we could of this beautiful area. Our first hike of the day was North Beach. To make sure you don’t miss any of the up coming outings such as the one we had just after this at Rosario Beach be sure to COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE. If you go up to the Menu you will discover that PBTA ventures all over this Great West of our seeking that Balance that we can experience when soaking up Nature in an Adventurous manner. Breath in Nature exhale stress, breath in Adventure exhale anxiety. I have ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ Adventure Wear. It is fun, top quality, and available for purchase at SHOP APPAREL.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Anacortes, Peak Bagging

Mount Erie, Sugar Loaf Summits and Whistler Lake Hike

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MOUNT ERIE PARK

NEAR ANACORTES, WASHINGTON

11.5 miles 2,200’ elevation gain, 6 hour duration, rated Moderate +

Activity: Day Hike, Peak Bagging

Date: 6-13-22

The hike my adventure loving son Alec and I set out on was moderate at just over 6 miles, but we supplemented in 2 peaks which added a lot of elevation and distance. That and we missed a turn which added a 1/2 mile or so. I guess we were enjoying the scenery so much we were not paying close enough attention to our route at that moment. So I think our trek might have been kicked up to the next category from Moderate as we about doubled the mileage and altitude. 

However we averaged over 2 miles an hour so that might still be moderate. It certainly had some steep hard portions. And what a great hike! What this hike didn’t have you don’t need. 

Superb high views of the surrounding areas which just happen to be so darn gorgeous, the Puget Sound, San Juan Islands, majestic purple mountains, deep green hills, and big luscious firs. Our hike circumnavigated a beautiful tree lined, remote lake, and a couple tiny waterfalls. 

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When asked, “What is the biggest mistake we make in life?”
The Buddha replied, “The biggest mistake is, you think you have time.” 
 Time is Free, But is Priceless.  

Thanks for joining Alec and I on Fidalgo Island during a hike that we just kept adding to mostly on purpose, but even the portion that was by accident just added to ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’. When you enjoy an outing such as this and you pretty much have the whole place to yourselves well… that is extraordinary and a great way to mend woes. Woes and sorrow was something which Alec and I felt so deeply and laid heavy on our minds, as the main reason for us to be in the PNW was a last visit with one so dear… my beautiful, wonderful Mother as her time on this planet winded down. You see we greatly needed each other, Alec and I, in this time of great loss and we greatly needed what profound outings in Nature can do and that is put the pieces back together again. Please stay with us for this Summer of Loss, but also of Celebration of a life so special and a person so beloved and how ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ was so needed. COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE. If you go up to the menu above you will discover that PBTA travels to many fine place throughout the West seeking adventures in Nature. Each location or activity is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. If you like my cap you can get one of your own and at the same time help support PBTA. You can find first rate Adventure Wear at SHOP APPAREL.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Anacortes

Washington Park Loop and Trails

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ANACORTES

FIDALGO ISLAND

3 miles, 275’ elevation gain, rated Easy

Date: 6-12-22

The 2.2 miles loop in Washington Park provides stellar views of Puget Sound and the surrounding San Juan Islands. Besides the water views it has a lush thick forest with big firs, and lots of ferns. It is absolutely beautiful. Still, being someone that wants to get away and really immerse myself into nature I was a little disappointed that I was walking along a single lane roadway with cars going by once in a while. However, about half way through my walk I found the trails and then I was in hog heaven, as this was exactly what I was looking for. Maybe even a bit more as one trail I took me on a tiny trail, slippery with mud, with a steep short grassy hill sloping dramatically to a cliff with a drop either onto rocks far below or into the sound and with no way back. So once it went from sketchy to hair ball, (That is when it also added some scrambling), I said to myself, “this is a view to die for” literally!  That is the point were I retraced my steps to a more moderate version on a PNW trail. 

I loved the hike on the trails, the loop on the roadway was beautiful as well, in-fact I loved the area so much that after my adventure companion, my son Alec, and I finished we drove the loop as well which was very special too.

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Thanks for coming along with Alec and I on this adventure in Anacortes on Fidalgo Island.  There are more fun hikes ahead in this beautiful area and beyond.  To stayed tuned all you have to do is this:  COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE.  If you explore the menu above you will see that PBTA ventures extensively throughout the West in search of that ever elusive Balance that we seek as an escape from this busy life of ours.  I believe profound outings in Nature are the key to this journey.  If you like hiking clothing I invite you to checkout my line of Adventure Wear at SHOP APPAREL.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Anacortes

Guemes Channel Trail

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ANACORTES

Activity: Nature Walk

3 miles, 72’ elevation gain, 90 minute duration, rated Easy

My son, Alec, and I joined our host and friend, Margaret, along with her Woman’s Hiking Group, which were nice enough to let us tag along on a nature walk along the waterfront. This spot is known as Guemes Channel Trail. It is quite scenic showing off the gorgeous waterway and some of the captivating San Juan Islands.

The outing stretches from the ‘La Merced’, which is an old sailing ship that nature is in the process of claiming to the West, and to the East is the Ferry Boat Terminal. We parked and started in about the middle. It is a lovely walk along the shore with charming flowering plants and trees.

Part of the outing is through the Ship Harbor Interpretative Preserve. This is an informative nature walk along a path and boardwalk with placards talking about fauna, wildlife, Native Americans as well as early settlers to the area.

Anacortes is so beautiful. What an enchanting place. This was a pleasant and picturesque introduction for Alec and I to Fidalgo Island and Anacortes.

‘La Merced’, an old sailing ship that seems to getting claimed by Nature.
Thought: the tidings Nature brings is lost to us all except those who stand still enough to listen. 

Thanks for joining Alec and I along with our host Margaret, with special thanks to the Women’s Hiking Group for letting a couple of guys come along on this pretty Nature Hike. There are plenty more adventures around Anacortes and beyond, so stay with us for more: COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE. The menu will unlock other special places throughout the West where you might find some respite from the busy, sometimes hectic lives we all live. Each location or activity categorized in the menu is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. For top quality hiking hats and shirts adorned with the Pursuing Balance Through Adventure logo please checkout SHOP APPAREL.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Anacortes

Cap Sante Park

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ANACORTES ON FIDALGO ISLAND

Activity: Day Hike, Scenic View

3 miles, > 500’ elevation gain, 90 minute duration, rated EASY

Date: 6-11-22

This nature walk, a short hike situated on 37 acres, starts near the Anacortes Yacht Club.   The trail meanders through a wooded area leading to Cap Sante, a rocky headland that has wonderful views of Anacortes, the Marina, Fidalgo Bay, the San Juan Islands as well as the Cascade Mountains.  

Our friend, a local resident, hiker and lover of nature, Margaret, introduced my son Alec and I to the hike.   This outing really gave us a feel for what an enchanting place Anacortes is.  From this view point we could take in the town, the lovely boats docked at the Marina, and the bright sparkling blue waters looking out at the captivating San Juan Islands – simply breath taking.  

Fidalgo Bay and Marina
Looking out at the San Juan Islands
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Let the currents guide your heart.

This scenic little jaunt up to Cap Sante kicked off a week of ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’, exploring not only Fidalgo Island, but the neighboring islands as well.  It is easy to see how our friends Margaret and her husband Earl fell in love with Anacortes.   We appreciate them so much for hosting and sharing this beautiful place with us.  This is just the start of our adventure in the NW Corner of the state so stick with Margaret, Alec, and I by doing a few easy things: COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE.  You will find the menu above a great place for inspiration and ideas for your next adventure.  The menu is categorized by location and sometimes by activity, each is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently.  Checkout SHOP APPAREL for all of your adventure wear desires.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure