MOUNT ERIE HIKE & SKAGIT BIRDS - *Hikes with Sykes
FULL DAY TOUR

UPCOMING DATES: February 2008 - call today to reserve your spot! 206.650.5795

Tour Length: 10 hours
Tour Code: EK01
Pick-Up: Downtown Hotels and Northgate Park ‘n Ride, 
Departing: 8:00 a.m. (Downtown)
Returns: 6:30 p.m.
Activities: Hiking, birding, early wildflowers & educational sightseeing
Difficulty: Moderate
Season: Year round
Carbon Footprint:
Cost: $175 per person
Min No of Passengers:

Inclusions:
Downtown or North Seattle pick up and drop off; highly qualified and knowledgeable naturalist guide; travel in luxury vehicle; excellent casual lunch; selected fruit, energy bars, soda, juice, morning and & afternoon tea; all entry and parking fees; slide show; and comprehensive commentary. Photos of birds and other wildlife we expect to find presented on onboard projection screen.

Description:
Enjoy this Saturday excursion with local hiking legend Karen Sykes, author of “Hidden Hikes in Western Washington” and co-author of “Best Wildflower Hikes, Washington” (Mountaineer Books), as well as thousands of articles over the past eleven years as hiking columnist for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

Located in the middle of Fidalgo Island in North-West Washington , Mt Erie is the perfect destination for the winter weary hiker.  When winter is still in full swing in the Cascades and the Olympics, Mt. Erie is already at the start of spring.  Behind the rain-shadow of the Olympic Mountain Range, even the most rainy days in Seattle might only be a shower on Mt. Erie and a cloudy day just 20 miles North might contrast with sunshine at Mt. Erie.  But this trip is not about the weather, but the incredible views of the waters around Deception Pass, the San Juan Islands, the Olympic Mountains, and Mount Baker. There are shore pines, madrones, and wild roses around the cliffs. It's common to see eagles and turkey vultures soaring overhead.

We will start the day with a two-hour trip north towards Anacortes, Washington passing through the Skagit Valley – famous for large flocks of wintering Snow Geese and Trumpeter Swans. When you see white birds on the ground here in the winter, they are one of three species—gulls, snow geese or swans.  Other waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors also are abundant in winter.

We’ll leave the Skagit delta and enter Fidalgo Island by bridge coming just short of the town of Anacortes – gateway to the San Juan Islands and Vancouver Island.  To approach the trailhead, is a short drive part-way up Mount Erie Road.  The 4.8 mile hike (round-trip) up the Sugarloaf Mountain trail will bring us to the top of Mount Erie through beautiful forest and at the top, incredible views from several viewing platforms - San Juans, soaring eagles, and more.

Be sure to bring Sturdy shoes, warm clothing and rain-gear (just in case).

This tour can be customized as a private tour, call or email for a quote.

*Karen Sykes, author of “Hidden Hikes in Western Washington” and co-author of “Best Wildflower Hikes, Washington” will be leading this tour! Check our her full bio here!