Walking Tours

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Vashon Tours offers informative guided walks through the islands' miles of quiet forest trails and serene beaches.  Many of most interesting sites are not marked so we enjoy introducing visitors to the "hidden" natural diversity and cultural history of the islands, exploring the native flora and fauna with a balance of natural and cultural history.

Available Tours are:

POINT ROBINSON PARK - Lighthouse, Forest and Beach Walk; 3 hours **

Historic Pt. Robinson with its charming turn-of-the-century lighthouse, spectacular view of Mt. Rainier and sculptural driftwood logs, is one of the most beautiful spots anywhere in Puget Sound.  We will walk through the island's proud maritime history, embodied in its lighthouse, then go down to the beach for a low-tide look at the beautiful diversity of life in the tidepools.  Then it's up through the forest trails to enjoy the native flora, the views and search for the elusive banana slug.  The park has public restrooms and picnic tables.

SHINGLEMILL CREEK AND FERN COVE - Forest and Beach Walk; 3 hours**

Shinglemill Creek is a beautiful stream which flows through the north end of Vashon Island forming one of its main watersheds.  We will explore the flora and fauna around the creek (this section is a very easy * walk) and then go over to Fern Cove where the creek estuary opens out and flows into Puget Sound.  The cove beach is very peaceful and there are many species of birds and other critters to be seen and heard both in the forest on the walk down and on the beach.

FISHER'S POND AND JOHNSON'S POND - Forest  Walk; 3 hours **   ***

Fisher's Pond is the island's largest and is maintained as part of the Shinglemill Preserve by the Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust.  We will walk the quiet and shady trail around the edge of the pond watching for the bald eagles which regularly come to fish and explore the flora and fauna of the forest.  There is a picnic table at the west end of the pond.  (This part of the walk is fairly easy **).  There is a connecting trail which continues by Johnson's pond, a favorite hideout of local waterfowl, and through beautiful meadows past the bottle tree, among other curious sights in the forest.  (There is a fairly steep though not tall ladder to climb as part of this adventure which is the reason for the*** rating.)

PHYSICAL CHALLENGE RATINGS

*     - very even, easy walking

**   - fairly easy walking, some uneven or hilly sections

*** - fairly challenging walking with hills and mucky sections or other obstacles

TIMEFRAME:

Allow around three hours

DATES:

All tours are by appointment from May through September.

Special arrangements can be made for tours at other times of year.

COST:

Per person - $50
Family Rate - $150 for two adults and two children

Group Rate - varies depending on the length of the tour and the number of participants.  We will be happy to make specific arrangements for your group.

GROUP:

Minimum of 2 persons and a usual maximum of 10.

All tours require participants to provide their own transportation

All tours are smoke-free.  We ask that you not smoke while a tour is in progress and thank you for your cooperation

RESERVATIONS:

Reservations for all tours can be made over the phone or via e-mail.   A deposit of $25 per person at least two days prior to the tour is required.  This can be done through Pay Pal with the balance paid in cash the day of the tour.  No checks, please.  All guests will be contacted two days before their tour is scheduled for confirmation.

CONTACT:

Tour Guide: Erin Durrett

Phone:206-963-6714

Email: vashontours@yahoo.com

THINGS YOU WILL NEED:

• Comfortable, enclosed walking shoes are important, especially to protect toes from sharp barnacles at low tide.  No sandals, please!
• Small day-hike pack with:
  Water bottle for each person
  Snacks are especially important if walking with children, so bring lots!
  Sunscreen
  Layered clothing including a sweater, rain/sun hat and light jacket!