Coming over Goose Rock summit. Photo by Janice Van Cleve.

One of the highest points on Whidbey, Goose Rock offers the closest thing to "mountain climbing" on the island. Though not exactly a lofty summit, Goose Rock gives spectacular and far-reaching views. From open grassy slopes and mossy rocky ledges, bask in sunshine while catching a gander of a gaggle of surrounding peaks and islands.

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.