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Lummi Island and the rest of Whatcom County offer a wealth of
recreational activities.
A partial list includes: beaches,
boating and kayaking, whale
watching; bocce
ball, hiking; bicycling;
bird watching; storm
watching, and golfing.
 | Water Sports
 | Beaches Take a
picnic lunch to Clark Island! If you're staying at the
Willows Inn, you can arrange to be dropped of on Clark (or another)
island to have an afternoon of sand, warmth, and good food. Trips
need to be arranged a week in advance. |
| Many of the island's
beaches are Department of Natural Resources sites, and most of these are accessible only
by boat or kayak. One that is easily accessed is D.N.R. Beach 224, which extends
north about 100 yards from the ferry landing. Park at the landing and walk north
along the road to a viewing platform where stairs lead down to the beach.
A beautiful, West Shore beach (photo above) while private, may be enjoyed if booked
at the inn overlooking the beach.
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Boating/Kayaking If
exploring by boat, consider Inati Bay on the SE side of the
island (two mooring buoys and picnic facilities), and nearby D.N.R. Beaches 223, 223A and
223B, all of which have sandy landings. Each summer the Willows has a floating dock (12X40) anchored in front, and can be used to tie up and dingy ashore to enjoy the Inn.
Kayaks are best for visiting the Lummi Island Recreation Site
near Reil Harbor, also on the SE side of the island. This is a designated beach side
campsite on the state's Cascadia Marine Trail, a managed water trail that extends
from Olympia to Vancouver, B.C. (more info on LINKS page)
Lummi Rocks, on the island's west side, is a beautiful place to stop and
rest. It has a very delicate ecosystem of succulents, lillies, and
other plants which should be disturbed as little as possible, but the
beaches are suitable for a picnic.
The Willows has a tandem sea kayak for rent by its guests.
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Whale
Watching Many groups who have
the best interests of our resident Orca whales at heart, suggest
that we should not follow them by boat, but should instead see
them from land. If you want to see them by boat, Nathan Brandow of Outer Island Expeditions offers personalized tours that include San Juan Island stops. Orcas (Killer Whales) are frequently visible
from the island's west shore, especially during chinook salmon season:
May through early July. It is not unusual to see Orcas
as you walk along the road on West Shore Drive, or while sipping
a glass of wine from the front deck of the Willows.
The past few years, as Fraser River sockeye have diverted the
main part of their run northward into Johnstone Straits, we
have seen the Orca pods daily in May and June, then less frequently
in July and August. Sunset in August and September often is
accompanied by schools of salmon jumping on their way to the
Fraser River, where they will spawn. The jumpers, which
are easily visible from the road, are not reacting to a predator
but are just doing what salmon do. The record pink salmon
run of 2001 brought more than half a million fish per day passing
by the West Shore beach, and visitors could see as many as 50
fish in the air at any given time, especially sunset.
2006 promises to be another record pink year.
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BOCCE
The Willows Inn has a tournament level bocce court
located near the Taproot Pub. While available mainly to its guests,
one can join in occasionally for a rousing game.
HIKING
| Lummi Island
An easy hike, featuring water views on almost all of the trip, is to merely take the 7 mile loop around the north end of the island.
Starting at the ferry landing head south on Nugent Road to Legoe Bay Road, crossing
the middle of the island. Continue around scenic Legoe Bay and up the west side on
West Shore Drive to Point Migley, at the north tip of the island, where the road name
changes to No. Nugent Rd. Follow it down the east side back to the ferry
landing. |
| Whatcom County For off-island hiking, the county
offers trails to suit a variety of skill levels. If you're visiting the Mount Baker
area it is a good idea to stop by the Ranger Station in Glacier to check on trail
accessibility. Fall colors and stunning views of Mt. Shuksun and the alpine meadows
of Mt. Baker make this area ideal for photography as well.
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| Bicycling One of the most
scenic biking trails in Western Washington follows
Chuckanut Drive to
Marine Drive and to Lummi Island. The island portion covers the "northern
loop". This route is recommended in many cycling guides.
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| Bird Watching The island
is home to a great variety of birds, and the resting spot for other migratory
species. The most commonly seen are the Great Blue Heron, Red-tailed Hawk, Mourning
Dove, Flicker, Pileated and Downey Woodpeckers, Swallow, Steller's Jay,
Chickadee, Nuthatch, Wren, Varied Thrush, Kinglet, Cedar Waxwing, Warblers, Red-winged Blackbird,
Western Tanager, Evening Grosbeak, Kingfisher, Junco and Towhee - just to name a few! Not
mentioned are the numerous seabirds, ducks and geese such as the hooded
merganser, rust breasted mergansers, buffleheads, harlequins, swans,
Canadian geese, common loons, barn owls, great horned owls, screech owls,
and more, in fact 167 different species of birds.
The most popular for spotting is, of course, the Bald Eagle. The island has eight
nesting pairs and they, and their offspring, are routinely seen soaring over the island's
woods and beaches. Migrating goshawks have been seen, and the
peregrine falcon can be seen zipping along the West Shore, on its way back
to the falcon preserve on Lummi Mountain.
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| Golfing While there
are no golf courses on the island, Whatcom County has the most courses per capita of any
Northwestern county. From the rolling contours of a Scottish-style course to one of
the best civic links in the nation, this region is ideal for a golfing getaway.
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| Points of interest The Lummi Island Heritage
Trust
has purchased several properties or development rights to properties on
Lummi Island. Their goal is to remove properties from development in
order to keep Lummi Island rural. Visit their website at www.liht.org
to learn more about their work. Here are some of the properties they
control:
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| The Oppenheimer property. Located just past Seacrest
Rd along Nugent, this wetland property features marsh plants and
birds. Access is by foot along Michael and Michelle Oppenheimer's
house.
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The Otto Farm, a 120 acre farm property. Take Nugent from the ferry to Sunrise Rd,
and from there count 5 driveways on the left (north) side. There
is still no sign there, but you are welcome to park at the entry and
walk the trails through a surprisingly complex ecosystem that is very
representative of Lummi Island.
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The Curry Property, This is another farm developed by a Lummi Island
"pioneer", and now made available to all of us through the
Heritage Trust's efforts. The terrain varies from field to
wetland, and offers a nice view eastward.
The Baker Property. An 80 acre path linking the DNR-owned Lummi Mountain, the second highest point in the San Juans, has been purchased. Plans are underway to make it accessible to restricted public access. Over time, Baker Mountain Ranch will become part of the Heritage Trust property.
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