Mt Eire Circumambulation:
- About 6 miles
- Rolling terrain, with two noted elevation gains, the first a long gradual gain of 150' in the early part, the second a short steep gain of 250' (the second gain broken up by our lunch stop).
- Rocky in a couple places, but generally soft forest trails
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 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 3pm.
During this mostly silent meditation hike we will stop at various points along the way for chanting rituals in our established pattern around the mountain. 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 at the Poets' Tree in celebration of the local areas' history of hermit Zen poetry as part of our ceremony at this stop.
Timing: Meet at 10am at the Sugarloaf Trailed of the Anacortes Community Forest (directions below). Or at the Cedarwood Zendo for carpooling at 9am. Please note your carpooling needs on the registration form.
What to Bring: Please dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes or hiking boots, bring at least two liters of water, trail snacks, a lunch, and a short poem to share.
Directions to Mt. Erie:
- 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.
Registration: While our day hikes are offered without charge, we do incur about $10 of program administration cost for each registration. There is the opportunity during registration to donate to cover these costs for your own registration or, additionally, to help another cover their registration expenses. Everyone is welcome, and no one will be refused attendance for lack of funds. As we do on the trail, we support each other.
Donations to the Leader: As with all of our events, teachers/leaders are not compensated for their time. You can include a donation to the hike leader during registration or at any time through our Donate to a Teacher page.
Questions? Contact Wilderness Dharma Program Coordinator Bob Penny at wilderness@redcedarzen.org and see our Wilderness Dharma Program page for an overview of this program.
