Mt. Erie Hiking Meditation

This event is happening as we are in Stage 3. Masked, distanced groups of up to 25 are permitted by the State and the City of Anacortes. Please join us!

Join Red Cedar Zen Community for our annual spring Circumambulation of Mt. Erie hike.  This celebration of the encouraging energy of springtime is close to the traditional date for the celebration of Buddha’s Birthday.  Our route will follow a very moderate trail for approximately 6 miles clockwise around this prominent small mountain situated near the shore of the Salish Sea.

The hike begins at 10am and we will probably be done by about 2 or 3pm.

RSVP to let us know you'll be meeting the group in the parking area for Sugarloaf trailhead (directions below).

During this mostly silent meditation hike we will stop at various points along the way for chanting rituals.  Our first stop will be at the “Poets' Tree”, a grand Douglas Fir matriarch of the local forest.  Please feel free to bring a short poem to share in celebration of the local areas' history of hermit Zen poetry as part of our ceremony at this stop.

Please dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes or hiking boots, bring at least two liters of water, trail snacks, and a lunch.

Directions to Mt. Erie:

• I-5 to Hwy 20

• West on 20, over Swinomish Channel Bridge until roundabout for Whidbey Island (towards Oak Harbor).

• TURN South on Hwy 20 towards Whidbey.

• Road drops towards Campbell Lake (visible ahead).  Enter the roundabout and turn right on Campbell Lake Road.

• Drive Campbell Lake Road along base of Mount Erie.

• Road will curve right at Lake Erie Grocery and becomes Heart Lake Road.

• Drive Heart Lake road, past two prominent old growth fir, about a mile until signs for Mount Erie.

• Veer right into parking area for Sugarloaf trailhead.

• That's where we will meet.  If you get to Heart  Lake, you've gone too far.

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To come on this hike please RSVP with the registration form. Click the "Register" button to the left to start the process. There is no charge for this event but please consider making a Donation to the Sangha

Note: unlike our "indoor" retreats dana is not generally collected during the event but donations in one form or the other are always welcome.

Please contact Wilderness Programs Coordinator Bob Penny at bobpenny1253@gmail.com or 360-927-5702 with questions and see our Wilderness Programs webpage for an overview of this program.