Dungeness – Page 31 – Sequim Daily Photo

Open!

The new trail at the Dungeness Recreation Area is open. This trail reroutes walkers further inland of the south end of the bluffs.

We found the trail open last Wednesday, earlier than expected. I took this photo and the one above it as we walked south from the first parking lot at the bluffs.

This is a shot looking back to the north. It’s not a long trail but I think it’s very nicely done. It’s not much to look at this time of year but it will be gorgeous in the spring and summer when there’s more foliage.

Walk this way

Ten days ago I posted photos of the closed southern portion of the bluff trail at Dungeness Recreation Area and an adjacent new trail under construction further inland. The other day we came upon the ranger-manager as he worked on the new trail which routes walkers inland from the bluff.

The old bluff trail, refurbished only three years ago, is permanently closed due to steady erosion and to prevent ~~idiots~~ misguided walkers from scaling adjacent unprotected bluff areas. Posts and wires are being installed along the new route which should be open (weather permitting work completion) within a couple of weeks. You will, no doubt, see this new trail once my feet get authorization to enter. Can’t wait!

Harrier harassment

I can’t tell you how many harriers around here have harassed me by perching on a post, just so. If I don’t have a camera they let me get tantalizingly close. If I am packing a camera they either turn away completely or fly off before I get anywhere in range. I take it personally.

This one figured he was off the hook because he blended so well with the background. Or maybe it was the smallness of my new camera. But I’m not proud. I’ll take the best I can get. Take that, Mr. Harrier!

Misty view

I like the view of these houses perched on the bluffs above the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Like the trail I showed you yesterday, they’re close to an edge that moves ever closer. They have a wonderful view…but I’m not sure I’d care to be that up close and personal.

Closed!

I’ve posted a number of shots of the eroding bluffs at the Dungeness Recreation Area. But I didn’t expect the south end to be completely closed like this. I don’t know if it’s a proactive effort to avoid further erosion or an attempt to keep people from climbing up a steep and particularly dangerous off limits area.

Another parallel trail further inland is under construction but apparently it’s not ready yet. Walkers are diverted to another trail, along the edge of a marshy area. It was pictured in my post yesterday.

Can you see the color?

It’s faint but this couple is walking towards a rainbow, to the left.

A dusting of the white stuff

We don’t get snow here often. Yesterday morning it snowed, thanks to a cold front that muscled in from the Fraser River Valley in British Columbia. The Fraser River dumps its waters into the Strait of Georgia near Vancouver. The weather systems it shares travel south and west when its deep freezes go further afield. When we get snow it comes to us compliments of Canada.

We’re fairly close to sea level and got only an inch or so, small potatoes compared with anywhere else where snow is more common. It’s enough here to be exciting…and polite enough to melt away before we’re sick and tired of it. Works for me.