Information about this hike provided in partnership with
Mountaineers Books.
Copyright © Craig Romano/The Mountaineers Books Goose Rock
Featured In:
Day Hiking: Central Cascades,
by Craig Romano.
A portion of all book sales from the links above benefits WTA and helps protect and maintain our trails. With over three million annual visitors, Deception Pass is Washington's most popular state park. It was created during the Great Depression, but great elation is what you'll feel after taking to this park's trails. Over 40 miles of them traverse the 4000-plus-acre park. Many trails were developed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Park staff and volunteers continue maintenance of these well-trodden paths while retaining their original charm. Start by hiking 0.2 mile through old-growth forest, climbing about 100 feet to the Deception Pass Bridge. Built in 1935 as a Public Works Administration (PWA) project, the attractive 976-foot steel cantilever bridge along with its sister, 511-foot steel-arched Canoe Pass Bridge, are two of the most photographed structures in the state. Marvel at them and then down below at the turbulent waters funneling though Deception Pass. Admire, too, the view out to Deception Island and the rugged headlands comprising the pass. Hike under the bridge and come to a junction. The trail right, the Northwest Goose Rock Summit Trail is your return route. Head left down the Goose Rock Perimeter Trail, taking in more views of the pass as well as of Strawberry and Ben Ure islands. The latter was named for a notorious human trafficker. At 0.5 mile ignore a side trail right. At 1 mile, along water's edge, ignore a side trail left and begin to climb. Ascend about 150 feet up a grassy ledge above sparkling Cornet Bay. Check out all of the handsome madronas (arbutus if you're Canadian) clinging to the sunny hillside. Then lose all that elevation, dropping back to sea level and a well-signed trail junction. Take the trail right, the one marked Goose Rock Summit Trail-the one that immediately begins climbing steeply. Twisting and turning and gaining over 400 feet in 0.4 mile, reach Goose Rock's open summit. An unsigned but obvious side trail veers left 0.1 mile to a series of open ledges, granting excellent viewing. Look north to Mount Erie, west to the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Olympic Mountains, and the San Juan Islands, and south to Rainier rising above a rolling Whidbey countryside. Watch fighters take off from the nearby naval air base. Once through gazing, return to the main trail and turn left. Ignore a side trail right and another one heading left shortly afterward. Then descend quickly, coming to a familiar junction at the Deception Pass Bridge. The trailhead is 0.2 mile to the left. You know the way from here.
Driving Directions:
From Burlington (exit 230 on I-5) head west on State Route 20 for about 12 miles to a major junction with SR 20 Spur. Turn left, continuing on SR 20 and coming to the Deception Pass Bridge in 6 miles. One mile beyond, at a traffic light, turn right into Deception Pass State Park. Proceed past the park entrance station and in 0.4 mile turn right at a junction (signed for North Beach). Continue another 0.7 mile to a large parking area and the trailhead (elev. 50 ft). Privy and water available. Recent Trip Reports
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Christmas is coming and the goose is getting fat... A nice short hike to a great view of the...
Christmas is coming and the goose is getting fat... A nice short hike to a great view of the Sound and Olympics. The road is closed just past the entrance station to the park, so a short road walk is necessary to reach the trailhead. We walked all the way around the peremiter trail and then took the short switchbacks up to the top of the rock. The top rocks are a bit slick be careful if hiking with kids. On the way back we hiked down to the beach, watched ducks and seals in the water, then walked back to the car. Nice outing and no one else there. You will need a Discover pass or stop and pay 10 $ at the entrance. It was manned.
Goose Rock, Deception Pass State Park - West Beach Sand Dunes
— Nov 25, 2011
— Kellbell
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This is where you want to bring your out of state friends and relatives, which is why we went. ...
This is where you want to bring your out of state friends and relatives, which is why we went. It was a beautiful day to enjoy the scenery, though we didn't do much hiking. To read about it and see pictures, go to my blog http://kellbell-whywouldany[…]1/can-i-call-this-hike.html
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
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We started our hike at the West Beach TH and in about 1 mile came to the Deception Pass Bridge....
We started our hike at the West Beach TH and in about 1 mile came to the Deception Pass Bridge. Here we went left on the perimeter trail following Craig Romano's route as described in Day Hiking Central Cascades. We were unable to start at the North Beach TH as he suggested as the road was gated for the winter. The beautiful sunny day brought out many hikers! Wildflowers seen were red flowering currant, yellow desert parsley, one red paintbrush, and small-flowered blue-eyed Mary. It was sad to see all the graffiti on the madrona bark!
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Yet another great winter hike at Deception Pass. The weather was excellent, as were the views. Begin and...
Yet another great winter hike at Deception Pass. The weather was excellent, as were the views. Begin and end the hike beneath the Deception Pass Bridge on the Whidbey side. Follow the well-signed perimeter trail and take one of several marked trails to the summit where there are outstanding views of the North Cascades and Puget Sound. The trails are in excellent condition with very few hikers. There were already signs of spring with wild roses beginning to blossom.
Goose Rock
— Sep 20, 2009
— Kinderhoff
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On a very Rainy day in Snohomish but still needing a little hiking fix we drove to our favorite place...
On a very Rainy day in Snohomish but still needing a little hiking fix we drove to our favorite place DeceptionPass. WHile raining almost all the way to the Pass, imagine our excitment to meet our fellow hikes with no rain. The Loop trail was beautiful and clear for the entire hike, we did the rock summit and loved the view and breeze. Went to the Deception Pass day use area for lunch and then returned home to the still rainy Snohomish.
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Coming over Goose Rock summit. Photo by Janice Van Cleve.
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