Hookton Slough Trail

Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge

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The second trail on Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge has a parking lot on up the road, but they've closed the gate on that one too. Parking is a little harder to come by nearby, but I did manage to get off the pavement safely to give the trail a try. There's no long hike to get to it from the road.

Another closed gate, but a lot closer to the regular trail parking.

Daffodils have joined the wild onions in bloom here.

The trail is nice and wide to keep that mandatory "social distancing" if there was anyone else here. The slough is along the right side and water puddles on the left. It is split off from the ocean by the dyke the trail follows, but is likely to be a little brackish. The ducks and herons and egrets seem to like that side better.

Some of that wide trail beside the slough.

Great egret stalking along some sort of dry land.

At a little distance is the ramp to nowhere I walked up on the other hike to perch above Salmon Creek.

The ducks felt I was too close, so they moved a few feet along.

Great blue herons among the great egrets.

A great blue heron much closer than the rest. The wind is still blowing plenty of cold.

There are still a few birds out in the salty slough.

Some ducks paddling into the wind.

Another swimmer in the not quite open water.

More views of the remnant of Teal Island. A boat ramp at the parking area allows folks to follow a set trail in the slough and around the island.

An interesting look to these pools.

A godwit stops for a scratch.

More uncomfortable ducks getting a little more space.

The female shoveler is giving me a look.

As the trail winds to connect with the mainland, the edge begins to resemble a beach. Only the smallest waves ripple their way up the sand a few inches. The bay is well sheltered from the waves of the open ocean.

The end of the trail as it encounters private property connected with the mainland.

Someone fenced out into the bay at some point.

A bit of current near the gate at the end.

There seems to be a bit more sand as I head back. The tide must be going out. I see no difference in the water level on the other side.

A bit of a peak across the way.

More little peaks in the distance on turning back.

More godwits poking around the freshly uncovered mud.

The godwits take flight sometimes, too.

I hadn't noticed the goose egg on the way out. It looks eaten rather than hatched. It's about as long as my finger.

There is beach around the remnant of island, too.

There's actually a pair out for a walk as I head back. The only folks I've seen, and they turn back and wander the boat launch a little rather than use the eight feet of trail. They still give me a little "hi" as I pass because proper hikers are social even if at a mandated distance.




©2020 Valerie Norton
Written 8 Apr 2020