Perched on a bluff overlooking majestic Puget Sound is the unique acreage of Ebey’s Landing.
Join Joanie Pryor to soak up this stunning landscape on the Salish Sea! On the Prairie Overlook Trail, we have the opportunity to enjoy the view laid out in front of us. Mount Baker rests on the horizon to the east and other Cascade peaks march away to the south. To the west, the Olympics loom large over Puget Sound. Take the view in, then take a narrow, brushy, but thankfully short access trail along the driveway to the larger parking lot with trailhead kiosk and vault toilets. A sign here points west to the Prairie Ridge Trail which will pass by the historic Jacob Ebey’s house and blockhouse on our way to the bluff. We will stay on the clearly marked route, walking past fields of wheat along the road. The way becomes more rugged as you head due west, changing from gravel to dirt, drawing you ever closer to the coast.
At the end of the Prairie Ridge Trail, we will come to a ‘T’ junction, where we can follow the trail either right or left. Take a right and head up a somewhat steep, but very short hill to a summit with a beautiful view of the beach below. Traverse along the bluff, enjoying the wildflowers on the slope to your left and the windswept trees to your right. The trail gradually descends along the bluff, offering an ever-changing perspective of the lagoon below, a birdwatcher’s haven.Hike until you come to a switchback, and descend steeply through several switchbacks to the beach where we will have lunch. Ramble south along the beach until you arrive at the junction with the Ebey’s Landing parking lot.
Restrooms and informative brochures are available at the Ebey’s Landing parking lot. Take a moment to learn about the history of the area before climbing two sets of stairs back up to the prairie.
On the way back, we will head up to the Prairie and take the Pratt Loop Trail. This trail takes us along the edge of the prairie to the old Pratt sheep barn and machine shed then into the woods where you may hear the rustle of quail or bunnies in the bushes. We will return to the main highway to catch the bus back to the ferry.
Be aware that there are stinging nettles on the brushy access trail. Long pants and keeping an eye out will help prevent irritation from these little guys. Keep in mind that both routes do take hikers through private property, so be respectful of property lines.
We will be taking the Mukilteo Ferry and catching Island County Transit which will transport us up Whidbey Island to S. Sherman Road. From there, we will walk a short distance north to the trail that gives us access to the Sunnyside Cemetery and Dave’s Blockhouse as well as restrooms and then continue on Prairie Overlook Trail to the Prairie Ridge Trail to the beach.
6 miles round trip, 260-foot elevation gain
Bring: lunch, water, waterproof clothing, binoculars
RSVP to Joanie Pryor by May 12, 2024