Washington's North Cascades /
Whidbey Island Sampler
July 10-18, 2010, with Olympic Peninsula Hiking extension, July 18-24

Guide: Peg Abbott

Recent Trip Report N/A

Recent Species List N/A

Mountains, glaciers, artists, history and hiking – all of these await us during Naturalist Journey’s NEW scouting trip to the Northern Cascades and Whidbey Island of Washington.  Join us to explore one of the most beautiful and least-crowded national parks. Our trip begins and ends in Seattle, a fun city to explore if you have some extra time.

We take a ferry to Whidbey Island, which forms the northern boundary of Puget Sound.  Peg Abbott, owner of Naturalist Journeys, got to know Whidbey Island on a visit to long-time client’s Don and Jan Allen’s home, where she was enchanted by Chestnut-backed Chickadees and Red-breasted Nuthatches at the feeder. The island abounds with variety to please any traveler from great ocean-side and deep-forest hiking trails to wine tasting, strolling through the pioneer town of Coupeville and visiting artist’s studios in Langley.  For great scenery and wildlife watching, we visit Deception Pass State Park, known for its picturesque historic bridge and ancient forests.  The park has over 4000 acres to explore with 35 miles of hiking trails, 15 miles of seashore and rugged cliffs that drop to meet the turbulent waters of Deception Pass.  We also visit a Nature Conservancy Preserve. Throughout our stay life-long island resident Don Allen shares stories of the island’s history.

We return to the mainland to follow a route past lush forests, rivers and lakes and glaciers of North Cascades National Park. Almost 400 miles of trails and vast undeveloped wilderness allow visitors to experience nature with minimal human-caused intrusions.  While the elusive Gray Wolf and predatory Wolverine are less common sightings, we should see Mountain Goats, Hoary Marmots and Pikas in abundance. We spend three nights on the east side of the park at Mazama at a lodge set in lush Ponderosa Pines.

We then complete a loop tour of the Northern Cascades by traveling along the shore of Lake Chelan. This pristine lake is fed by glaciers and is rimmed by mountains that rise over 7000 feet in the background to form a picture postcard view.  From our base in the Bavarian town of Leavenworth, we venture a bit south off the loop to search for White-headed Woodpeckers, Louis’ Woodpeckers and other east-side specialty species.

This journey offers a combination of scenery, hikes, wildlife and culture that’s hard to beat!  Birds we hope to find include Harlequin Ducks, Hermit, Townsend’s and Black-throated Gray Warblers, Winter Wrens, Red Crossbills, Pine Grosbeaks, both Vaux’s and Black Swifts, Red-breasted Sapsuckers, both Western and Mountain Bluebirds, Clark’s Nutcrackers, Pileated Woodpeckers, American Dippers and more.  North Cascades National Park has a list of 75 mammals including River Otters and Black Bears.  We also have a great chance to see Sea Lions, Orcas and both Dall’s and Harbor Porpoises on a boat trip from Whidbey to the San Juan Islands. July is a FABULOUS month for wildflowers and our list changes with each gain or loss in elevation.  Treat yourself to some glorious time in the mountains this summer with Peg Abbott of Naturalist Journeys. 

 

ITINERARY

Sat., July 10 Arrival in Seattle / Whidbey Island
Please plan to arrive at SEATAC International Airport no later than 2:00 PM.  We drive north of the city, then cross by ferry from Clinton to Mukilteo before driving across the island to our lodgings in the historic town of Coupeville. From the Coupeville Wharf we can find Common Loons, Harbor Seals, possible Sea Otters, Belted Kingfishers and Buffleheads. Enjoy a welcome dinner and a chance to get to know your guides and traveling companions.
Accommodations at Coupeville Inn, Whidbey Island (D)

Sun., July 11 Deception Pass State Park / Greenbank Farms
Today we explore Deception Pass State Park. Here we find 4000 acres of a mix of habitats that include scenic coastlines, forests and three inland lakes.  At the park’s most impressive scenic vista point, rugged cliffs mark the channel of the turbulent waters that churn up rich resources for seabirds such as Tufted Puffins and Rhinocerous Auklets. Within the park, trails lead us to ancient forests and a marsh near Cranberry Lakes, highlighting part of the biodiversity noted by the park’s bird list of some 175 species.  Deception Pass was named by Captain George Vancouver who recognized Whidbey (named for his assistant seaman) was an island rather than a peninsula leading to the mainland. After a full day at the park and other nearby sites, we visit local Greenbank Farms for a treat at the height of berry season!  Dinner is at a favorite local restaurant.
Accommodations at Coupeville Inn, Whidbey Island (B,L,D) 

Mon., July 12 Hiking and Exploring Whidbey Island
Today we enjoy a scenic hike that holds a beach and bluff combination at Fort Ebey. Gaze off to amazing views of the Olympic Peninsula and San Juan Islands from the Bluff Tops, and look for shorebirds and driftwood as we loop back along ocean shores. Black Oystercatchers may be feeding growing chicks and with luck we’ll see porpoises, Peregrine Falcons and otters. We also visit nearby historic Fort Casey.  Our hosts on Whidbey, Don and Jan Allen, have a lifetime of experience with the island and they help us tailor your interests to our choice of many fine hikes and attractions.  They have raised rhododendrons and azaleas for many years and amid this blaze of color we watch Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatches and Downy Woodpeckers come in to their feeders.  If time allows, from Partridge Point we may look for seals, grebes, Harlequin Ducks, scoters, and other species. In the late afternoon those who wish can head to the artists’ village of Langley for a free night to wander and to enjoy dinner at leisure.
Accommodations at Coupeville Inn, Whidbey Island  (B,L,)

Tues., July 13 Ancient Forests and North Cascade Mountains
Don and Jan share their love of ferns, mosses and flowering plants on one of several ancient-forest hiking trails of the island. After a morning afield in lush, deep woods, we have lunch and cross back to the mainland to drive up in elevation to our lodgings in the North Cascade mountains.  The Cascades are remarkable, wildly glacial-carved mountains. Dramatic, deep valleys and steep, sculpted slopes appear as an inspiring maze before us. Our route is known as the Cascades Scenic Loop. Along it we visit North Cascades National Park, two national recreation areas and a score of excellent birding sites. This is steep country and we’ve chosen several hikes that minimize elevation gain so you can focus on nature and the scenery around you. Lakes and waterfalls abound. We have a group dinner this evening and lay out our plans for the following days.
Accommodations at Mazama (B,L,D)

Wed., July 14 & Thurs., July 15 North Cascades National Park
We have two full days to focus on hiking and wildlife watching in North Cascades National Park. The park’s visitor center is an excellent place to get acquainted and almost any stop affords inspiration to talk about geology. Forests are lush and flowers decorate a series of high meadows. Visiting North Cascades is like getting two parks for the price of one. The West (wet) Side hosts temperate rainforest with its giant trees, draping mosses, decaying-log gardens and more. The East Side is drier and characterized by fragrant Ponderosa Pine forests that exhibit wide spacing and an open canopy by nature. A combined tally of plants for both sides of the park logs in at over 1600 species! Mule Deer are common among the park’s 75 species of mammals but we may also find Elk, Moose and Mountain Goats. Pikas and Hoary Marmots call from talus slopes and, with luck, we find River Otters active in the lakes and streams. Over 200 species of birds have been recorded; three species get special attention – Marbled Murrelets, Spotted Owls and Bald Eagles, the latter being the easiest of these three rarities to find. Rufous Hummingbirds, Western Tanagers, and Townsend’s, MacGillivray’s and Wilson’s Warblers are colorful songbirds we seek. Along our trails, Swainson’s and Varied Thrushes sing while American Dippers feed water-shy youngsters beside roaring streams. Not only do birds change in association with forest types on East and West Slopes, they change according to elevation. Dinners these two nights are at your leisure – we’ll scout out the best local options and advise!
Accommodations at Mazama (B,L)

Fri., July 16 Lake Chelan National Recreation Area and Vicinity
Today we visit scenic highlights, birding and wildlife watching around Lake Chelan National Recreation Area and within several nearby State Parks. We look for Ospreys, Wood Ducks, California Quails, Calliope Hummingbirds, Pygmy Nuthatches, White-throated Swifts and Yellow-headed Blackbirds as we drive the scenic loop to Leavenworth, stopping many times along the way. Learn more about mountain-building processes as we view the Cascades from a new angle. Wildflowers should be at their peak and we enjoy a chance to wander. In the picturesque Bavarian town of Leavenworth enjoy dinner at your leisure.
Accommodations at Linderhof Inn, Leavenworth  (B,L)

Sat., July 17 East Side Forests / Leavenworth
Today we stretch our legs with a hike as we further explore ecology of the East Side Forests. Near the local Fish Hatchery we look for American Dippers, White-headed Woodpeckers, Gray Catbirds, Cassin’s Finches, Red Crossbills and other species. As we explore, listen to the beautiful music of Veeries and Bullock’s Orioles. Mid-afternoon, those who wish can have time to further explore before our festive, final dinner.
Accommodations at Linderhof Inn, Leavenworth (B,L,D)

Sun., July 18 Departures
After breakfast we embark for our return drive to Seattle. Plan to book flights out after 1:00 PM. (B)

Olympic Peninsula Hiking extension, July 18-24 Itinerary and Cost coming soon!

 

PLAN AHEAD! Protect yourself with Access America Travel Insurance. Offset your Carbon Footprint. Show us the receipt and we'll take 50% - up to $50.00 - of your carbon offset fee off your final payment. COST OF THE JOURNEY: Cost of the journey is $2150.00 from Seattle, based on double occupancy. This cost includes all accommodations, meals as specified in the itinerary, professional guide services, other park and program entrance fees and miscellaneous program expenses.  Tour cost does not include: round-trip transportation from your home city to Seattle, optional activities or items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone charges, maid gratuities or beverages from the bar.   Single supplement is $495.00    Group Size: Maximum of 12, minimum of 4. Tour price is based on 8 persons, with fewer than 8 a small group surcharge (typically $100-$300) may apply. Pace of the tour:  Moderate hiking (3-7 miles) will be available on at least four days of our journey. In between we enjoy a series of shorter walks that let us sample various habitats.  Along the hikes you can pace yourself as you wish, but to fully participate you should be able to walk at least three miles over uneven terrain.  We offer some free time at each location to sample local restaurants and browse through picturesque towns.  TRAVEL INFORMATION: Most major airlines serve Seattle. You’re likely to find better fares the earlier you can book your travel. You may wish to arrive early to rest from your travels and see a bit of the city. Plan to arrive no later than 2:00 PM on July 10th, and depart after 1:00 PM on July 18. Naturalist Journeys, LLC is an equal opportunity service provider and committed to the goal of ensuring equal opportunity for all in employment and program delivery. Photo Credits: Orca Whale, Bart Rulon;Columbian Ground Squirrel, Tony Beck - www3.sympatico.ca/beck.tony/; American Dipper, Carol Rivchun; All other photos, Peg Abbott.

 

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