Wander & Sip

Wander & Sip. It might be your new favorite thing.  

TRUTH: There is nowhere else more beautiful on a clear, sunny, crystal blue-sky day – the waters of the Puget Sound sparkle; and the ancient cedar trees beg for you to hike amongst them and enjoy the natural wonders of the Stanwood-Camano recreational area.  Whether you’re visiting for a day-trip or an extended stay, these hikes will make you fall in love with our piece of paradise. Afterwards, we recommend you go for a drink “apres-hike” at local establishments – we guarantee that wandering and sipping will be your new favorite thing.

The Hike: Centennial Trail – 4 miles roundtrip

Enormously popular for walking, bicycling, hiking, or horseback riding, the full Centennial Trail is over 30 miles long and is built on the old Burlington-Northern railroad line. Start your hike at the new Nakashima Heritage Barn Trailhead located on the former Nakashima Farm.  Prior to being converted to a dairy farm in the early 1900s, the farm was a logging camp run by the Nakashima family, one of only a few Japanese families living in Snohomish County. In 1942, the family was forced into an internment camp, and so had to sell their farm.

On your hike you will enjoy sweeping views of the farm’s pastures as you meander through cedar and spruce wetlands and second growth forest.  At 3.5 miles the trail crosses the creek on a bridge high off the water to reveal lovely river views and snow capped mountains to the west. You can also wander north from the Nakashima Heritage Barn Trailhead on the unpaved portion of the railway grade.  Turn north from the pavement just as it angles south.

Directions: Take exit 212 off 1-5 and the Bryant Trailhead is 4 miles east at the corner of SR-9 and Stanwood-Bryant Road.   

The Sip: Ale Spike

After your walk or ride on the trail, make your way to Ale Spike in Stanwood for a refreshing pint of craft brew or cider.  With 25+ beers on tap and hundreds of bottles to choose from, the owners Chris and Lyna Pepper will guide you to the perfect “sip.” Ale Spike also brews their own beer (which is always on tap) and hopes to open a tasting room on Camano during the Summer of 2018.  Have a sip, buy some bottles, or fill a growler for later – you will be glad you did.

Ale Spike
9300 271st St NW,
Stanwood, WA 98292

The Hike: Barnum Point, Camano Island

Camano Island’s newest park at Barnum Point sits in on iconic waterfront landscape which will soon expand to include a whopping 129 acres.  A key migratory stopover for more than 20,000 shorebirds each year as well as a nursery for juvenile salmon, Barnum Point’s tidelands provide habitat for forage fish and salmon.  Currently there are 2.5 miles of wooded trails which meander through a mature forest to an open meadow showcasing spectacular views of Port Susan Bay and the Cascade Mountain Range.  For a special treat take the Heavenly Trail which winds through the forest and bluffs with the option to go down to the beach for an extended hike.

Directions: Drive to Camano and turn Right onto Sunrise Blvd at the light at “Terry’s Corner” follow for 2 3/4 miles to end of road.  Parking is on the right.

The Sip: Dusty Cellars or Edward Lynne Wineries

After your walk in the woods, take a short drive to one of Camano Island’s treasured wineries: Dusty Cellars Winery or Edward Lynne Cellars.  

Founded in 2006, Dusty Cellars is a family owned and operated winery committed to producing quality wine.  Averaging 700 cases per year, this boutique winery also hosts Summer Concerts where you can bring a picnic, listen to music and enjoy a glass (or bottle) of handcrafted wine.  

On your way off the island be sure to stop by Edward Lynne Cellars where each wine is made in small lots, handcrafted and vinted with the intent to produce wines of quality.  At Edward Lynne, the wines are a result of a collaboration and joint endeavor of family and friends who love wine. You will love it too!

Both wineries are open the first weekend of the month with limited hours. Be sure to plan ahead – the wine is worth the hike.

Dusty Cellars
529 Michael Way
Camano Island, WA 98282
360.387.2729

Edward Lynne Cellars
748 Vineyard Lane
Camano Island, WA 98282

The Hike: Kayak Point Regional County Park , Warm Beach

If you are looking for a laid-back, family friendly hike, Kayak Point is for you!  Stroll along the picturesque, sandy beach at Kayak Point Regional County Park with 3,300 feet of shoreline and look across the water towards Camano Island.  Don’t forget to bring along your crab pot and fishing pole so you can toss a line off the 300 foot peer into Port Susan Bay and (if you’re lucky!) catch some dinner.  

Directions: Take exit 202 off I-5 for 116th St NE. After .3 miles, turn left onto 116th St NE. After .2 miles, turn right onto 34th Ave NE. After a half a mile, you’ll hit a traffic circle. Go straight, and .9 miles after the circle, turn left at 136th St NE. It will turn into 140th St and then Kayak Point Rd. You’ll run into the park after about 7 miles.

The Sip: The Paddle Pub

If you didn’t get lucky on the pier, (and even if you did) take a short drive inland to the Paddle Pub, a favorite local watering hole. If you worked up an appetite on the water or at the beach, you can be sure your hunger will be satisfied with great daily specials, a BLT that can’t be missed and house made signature sauces. Their signature drinks range from the Shoecraft Bloody Mary – handmade and boasting 16 ingredients to the Big Wake which has a mixture of dark and coconut rum with juices.  Or since you are in the 7 Lakes area, give the 7 Lakes Iced Tea a sip!

If you’re heading North instead of East from Kayak Point Park, make a stop at Willow and Jim’s Country Cafe in Silvana for an outstanding breakfast, lunch or just one of the best cups of coffee ever.  And don’t leave without trying one of their seasonal pies – you may eat the whole thing in one sitting – but you’re a hiker, so don’t feel too guilty!

The Paddle Pub
(360) 652-4156
4915 Lakewood Rd,
Stanwood, WA 98292

Willow & Jim’s Country Cafe
1421 Pioneer Highway (11.15 mi)
Silvana, WA 98278

The Hike: Skagit Wildlife Area Trail, Conway

The Skagit Wildlife Area Trail near Conway is a little off the beaten path but really worth a drive. Every year from Fall to Spring, thousands of migrating birds – snow geese, trumpeter and tundra swans – call this area home.  Walk along the trails at Big Ditch, Wylie Slough and Fir Island amidst the calls and flapping of the birds. There is also a 2 mile trail along the dike with beautiful views of Skagit Bay that offer opportunities for shorebird and waterfowl viewing.  If seeing the birds didn’t take your breath away the views of the North Cascades and Mount Baker hovering above the mud flats will leave you breathless!

Directions: From I-5 take exit 221 and turn west.  Drive 0.1 miles. Turn right (west) onto Fir Island Road.  Drive west 3.2 miles. Turn left (south) at WA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife sign.  Drive 0.5 miles to parking area.

The Sip: The Conway Muse

After your adventure with the birds, stop by the Conway Muse – a pub and live music venue that was converted from a dairy barn.  Choose from an array of Scotch Tastings, A Muse Manhattan, or a refreshing cold beer – there is something for everyone. With charm and whimsy galore they also have an excellent line-up of musicians every month and a few different indoor/outdoor stages depending on the time of year.  

The Conway Muse
18444 Spuce St.
Conway, WA 98238
https://conwaymuse.com/

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