Hikes in May will take us from the North Cascades National Park to the shores of Puget Sound. As usual, weather, logging, construction or other unexpected conditions might cause changes or cancellations in the following hikes.

Call JOAN MELCHER 360-424-0407 or e-mail at jdmelcher@comcast.net for information on or questions about the following hikes. All the hikes are on Wednesdays. Dogs are discouraged on Audubon sponsored hikes. If dogs are on a hike, they must be on a leash at all times.

WEDNESDAY – MAY 1 CHUCKANUT RIDGE
Hike the up and down ridge of Chuckanut Mountain. Elevation gains range from 800 to 2,500 feet. Three options are available:
Options 1 and 2 are longer and more strenuous. Meeting time for these two options is 8:30 a.m. at the Clayton Beach parking lot at the south end of Larrabee State Park on Chuckanut Drive.
Option 3 is shorter and less strenuous. Meeting time for this less difficult hike is 9:00 a.m. at the North Chuckanut parking lot located on the east side of Chuckanut Drive between the Old Samish Highway and California Street. This is at about milepost 18.5 .
Contact Joan Melcher: 360-424-0407 or jdmelcher@comcast.net for information on the 3 options.
NOTE: A WASHINGTON STATE DISCOVER PASS IS REQUIRED

WEDNESDAY – MAY 8 WALLACE FALLS
This is a hike through forest and near spectacular waterfalls north of Gold Bar along the Stevens Pass Highway. Meet at 8 a.m. in the southeast corner of the Mount Vernon Safeway parking lot. Seattle/Snohomish County/Camano Island hikers can go directly to the trailhead. Carpool according to the option below you plan to participate in.
OPTION 1: This is up to a seven mile loop with a 1,400 ft. elevation gain to the top falls. The return time is 2 p.m.
OPTION 2: This is a 9.8 mile to 14 mile hike loop with an 1,800 ft. elevation gain to Wallace Lake. The return time is 3:30 p.m.
NOTE: A WASHINGTON STATE DISCOVER PASS IS REQUIRED

WEDNESDAY – MAY 15 EBEY’S LANDING & KETTLE’S AT FORT EBEY STATE PARK
Today’s hike will be done in two sections. Each car of hikers will be its own group so plan on riding with others who will do the same hikes you do. The first hike will be a 3.6 mile loop hike up the bluff, down to the beach, and back to the cars. There is a low tide of about zero feet about 2 p.m. One can add 2 miles to this hike by walking to the cemetery and back. The next hike will be a self-guided hike on the Kettle’s trails near Fort Ebey State Park. The miles hiked here depend on the individual. There should be wild rhododendrons in bloom. Meet at 9 a.m. at the March Point Park-n-Ride, which is at the stop light at the intersection of HWY 20 and the Christianson and March Point Roads, turn RIGHT and then an immediate RIGHT turn onto the frontage road and soon turn LEFT into the Park-n-Ride.) OR meet at Ebey’s Landing at 9:45 a.m.
NOTE: A WASHINGTON STATE DISCOVER PASS IS REQUIRED

WEDNESDAY – MAY 22 OYSTER DOME
Hike to the Oyster Dome on Blanchard Mountain.
OPTION 1: Begin and end at the Pacific Northwest Trail TH on Chuckanut Drive near mile post 10.9 miles with a 2,000 ft. elevation gain. Meet at 9 a.m. at this location. Hikers need to download the map and instructions from the SWITMO web site at SWITMO.org. Go to the “Great Hikes” page and under “Skagit County Hikes” click on “Blanchard, Oyster Dome from Chuckanut Drive and Back”. If you wish, you may meet Joan Melcher at the Chuckanut Park-n-Ride by 8:30 a.m. to get a map and instructions. 2:30 p.m. return to T.H.
OPTION 2: Begin and end the hike at the Samish Overlook. The hike is 6.0 to 7.4 miles, with a 900 ft. elevation gain and a 2:00 p.m. return to T.H. There are opportunities for side trips to North Butte, Lily Lake, and Lizard Lake. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at. the Chuckanut Drive Park-n-Ride, Exit 231 from I-5 on the east side of I-5.

WEDNESDAY – MAY 29 SKAGIT RIVER GORGE
As of April 2013 when the May hiking schedule was determined, the trail below the Ross Dam Trailhead to the base of Ross Dam is still closed due to a huge rock slide that occurred a few years ago.
Therefore this hike will begin and end near the North Cascade Institute above Diablo Dam. Hike 2.6 miles for about an 800 ft. total elevation gain east to the Ross Dam View point near the power lines or 3.6 miles for about a 1,600 ft. total elevation gain east to the Skagit River. Along the way there are great views of the Skagit River Gorge. There should be wild flowers. Meet at 8:00 a.m. on the east side of the Sedro-Woolley Food Pavilion parking lot. Return to cars by 2:00 p.m. Be sure to check for ticks on your body after the hike.

SATURDAY –JUNE 1 NATIONAL TRAILS DAY Celebrate trails! Go for a hike or walk with family and/or friends. The Pacific Northwest Trail Association and SWITMO will sponsor trail work at Deception Pass State Park. Contact Joan Melcher (above) for details if interested.

WEDNESDAY – JUNE 5 SAN JUAN ISLAND
Hike on trails at American Camp, Whale Watch Park/Limekiln State Park, and English Camp. Meet at 8:15 a.m. at March Point Park-n-Ride to pool rides. No ferry walk-ons as we will need cars on the island. We will take the 9:30 a.m. ferry from Anacortes, arriving in Friday Harbor at 10:35 a.m. Return ferry sailings are 4:15 and 6:25 p.m. Car pool according to return times. People staying on the island for dinner will take the 6:25 p.m. sailing back.