The boys and I visit the Admiralty Inlet Preserve for an easy hike every few years. It is located in central Whidbey Island, outside of Coupeville. Where there used to be only a few parking spots at the far end, the trailhead parking lot for Walking Ebey’s Trail System is across the road from an entrance into Admiralty Inlet Preserve.
Last summer, the Whidbey Camano Land Trust increased its work on the Admiralty Inlet Preserve’s prairie restoration efforts. One big thing they did was a prescribed burn of the prairie, which has helped restore it more to a natural prairie, as it was before pioneers came to the island. In theory, the rare Golden Paintbrush is coming back to this prairie due to human help. Having never seen one, I had to see if I could spot any.
With Spring finally coming in strong, now is the time to visit the prairie to see wildflowers. May will be flowers all month.
The trailhead parking lot is off of Engle Road. It’s not marked before, so keep an eye out. It is just past a forested section of road on your left, coming from Coupeville.
When you cross Engle Road, be careful. The road is 50 MPH, and people can drive stupidly, as the only real traffic is at Coupeville Ferry. So look both ways and run. I wish the crossing were marked for safety.
The parking is free, and no permits are needed.
To see a trail map you can download or print.
The route. There are actually two loops you can do, or one long loop. We partially walked back up the trail that made the shorter loop, then turned back. The trail is both an actual trail and an old road.
After you cross Engle Road, take a right onto the loop trail. This part of the trail follows a wooden fence around the main prairie/meadow. The Nootka Roses have been growing up, giving a pleasant natural fence to the road, where you forget it is there.
The views of the Olympic Mountains are often spectacular.
I was noticing blue/purple flowers and was very happy.
It was Camas, a plant that the indigenous people relied on as a primary food source. These prairies were vital for them to grow in, as was the fire.
Cow Parsnip is a plant that you see everywhere in late spring and summer in the PNW.
The prairie was starting to open with flowers.
The trail comes to a junction; you will want to enter the awkward trail corrals (is there a better word?), which let hikers through but not bikes. Go to the left to enter. The trail that continues goes up to the road and stops. I noticed many cherry trees here and wondered if they were the native ones.
As I mentioned in a previous post, a decade ago, there was a longer section of trail to the right after the junction. It went along the bluff. It is now closed and locked off.
The trail winds around the prairie, gently going to the left and then straightening out.
The prairie on this side had even more flowers, especially Chocolate Lilies.
Not sure of the flower. I need to find my best wildflower book to ID it.
The trail has a few peek-a-boo sections.
After you wind around an old military area, left over from Fort Casey long ago, it pops up to the bluff with great views.
Looking north, you can see Ebey’s Landing. Peregos Lagoon and even the bluffs of Fort Ebey at the end. This is the west side of Whidbey Island, along the end of the Salish Sea as it enters the Puget Sound.
The Olympics run along the view, from the far eastern, lower ones, such as Mt. Walker, to the taller ones still covered in snow. Port Townsend is across the water, and to the far right, Sequium.
Here, you can split off and take a shorter loop to the left or continue. The trail changes from a prairie and water hike to a deep forest along a bluff. It’s cool under the wind swept trees, and the trail is old tread. It’s an enjoyable section, though you have to watch for the many roots in the path.
Spring in the coastal forests is so nice.
There are benches along the trail.
The trail comes to another hiker corral, and you turn left.
Passing this ancient, moldering bench. Then onto another hiker corral, which takes you to the left and the loop continues.
Eventually, you come to a junction. An old road goes to the left. This is the path that the shorter loop takes.
Instead, walk past the trail kiosk and through a gate, then look to the left for a trail going into the woods along the road. This is the path you want. One issue with the trail kiosks that have maps is they don’t have a mark where you are on said map. You won’t get lost, but you might take a wrong turn. It’s an island, though. You’ll reach a bluff, water, or a road 😉
The woodland path comes back into the start of a prairie, which led me to my quest.
I found one—just one! It wasn’t open yet, and Purple Dead Nettle surrounded it. But I did find one!
The Golden Paintbrush is very endangered, with a very small amount of it growing, due to prairies disappearing,
The prairie was full of Camas and Western Buttercups. With the warm sun returning, there should be more golden paintbrush somewhere, waiting to bloom this month.
It’s always an enjoyable loop. It’s less than 2 miles with minimal elevation gain. It’s leashed dog friendly, and feet are allowed only for travel. In theory, the part in front of the prairie could be an all-terrain wheelchair that is usable, but not any of the hiker gates/corrals.
~Sarah