Watmough Bay Preserve is a slightly off the beaten path destination on Lopez Island, "The Jewel of the San Juan Islands", in Washington State.
...and if you like a good hike, you'll be missing out if you don't make the trek!
This is Watmough Bay, and the main entrance has you enter from a trail on the far end of the beach, as seen from the perspective of this photo.
It won't show up on a casual search for the island's best treasures since it's not a state or federal park, but rather, "a land preserve", under the general purview of the San Juan County Land Bank. Fortunately our wonderful hosts were kind enough to let us know we should make the visit!
From the San Juan County Land Bank Website :
Dramatic cliffs and towering old growth Douglas firs frame the stunning Watmough Bay Preserve at the south end of Lopez Island. In 1993, a seventy-foot section of beach was generously donated to the Land Bank in order to ensure public access to this local treasure. A conservation easement added onto the adjacent 8-acre fresh water wetland helps to further protect the area’s fragile ecosystem and prevents development of the adjacent uplands. The Bureau of Land Management purchased the surrounding 390 acres and has designated the property as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern. In 2007, the Land Bank partnered with the San Juan Preservation Trust to protect an additional 7.29 acres with approximately 680 feet of high bank waterfront along the south side of the bay. A neighboring property owner generously gifted two parcels in an effort to conserve the character of the bay, protect significant ecological features, and maintain the public access that we enjoy.
At first it seems like you've just stumbled upon a picturesque inlet, but if you begin exploring a bit and set your sights towards the unremarkable sounding Chadwick Hill I think you will be completely enchanted by the terrain, @wolfcat and I sure were!
Image courtesy of the San Juan County Land Bank - Watmough Bay Map PDF
Looking out across the bay to the Northeast, the giant stone cliff rising up to Chadwick Hill.
The bright yellow lichen makes you feel...
...that the stone beside you is crawling with life!
And it is! :)
When a @wolfcat sees something like this,it becomes a natural bouldering challenge!
You can join her for a smile if you're brave enough to navigate the monolithic rock.
Giant kelp, radiant lichen, turquoise waters...
Mysterious crevasses!
You're likely to spot a @wolfcat climbing around in these conditions as well!
The most marvelous succulents...
finding home amidst the stone and lichen.
Then get you into the forest to find the trail which leads you up up up!
Through the douglas fir and into...
...the beautiful Madrone!
Another natural @wolfcat habitat.
Some people call it Arbutus, but I think Madrone is way more fitting!
A very lucky copse of Madrone atop Chadwick Hill.
I hope you enjoyed this little tour through yet another gem of Lopez Island!
Until next time!
Peace, and @lovejoy
