Trip Reports

5/17/08 Dungeness Spit Lighthouse

Annie, Mo and I left Federal Way area 6:00 AM arrived in parking lot at 8:45. We had a slight detour in Bremerton. I really need to invest in a navigation system. Great day to hike, weather was a bit breezy at times, but overall very comfortable. The 5.5 miles to the lighthouse was much easier than the way back. We saw many deer, birds, dead fish of some kind washed up the beach, tons of ships. We also encountered several men with shirts off, one older gentleman wearing just a Speedo! The warm weather brings all kinds.. not sure what that was about, but good for him letting it all out. I’m nursing sunburn and back issues today but it was worth it. Amazing views from all sides. I can scratch this hike off my list. Drive 4.5 hours (200 miles), hike 5 hours (11 miles).

Great hike to start getting in shape I believe 5 1/2 miles to get to the lighthouse where there is a nice lawn and picnic tables. Climb the lighthouse tower and see how far you need to hike back. The tilt of the beach and the sand make for a good overall leg workout.

Dungeness Wildlife Refuge at Sequim is a wonderful place to explore for visitors of all ages.

Yesterday the minus tides near the middle of the day were perfect for a hike to the Dungeness Lighthouse. We enjoyed the tour offered by the current resident hosts; a group of enthusiastic volunteers from distant states with two excited grandkids. The kids proudly showing us their latest discoveries found among the driftwood piles that stretch the entire length of the spit.

Eagles appeared to be guarding the lighthouse while numerous birds and waterfowl entertained us during the 5 mile hike, together with the marine traffic; cargo ships going back & forth, fishing boats & cruisers, yachties and kayakers.

We noticed deer strolling the beach to the west, while the congregated seals noisily frolicked & slapped the water. A newborn seal pup was watched over unobtrusively by volunteers while visitors respected the wide undisturbed space the pup required.

Suggest review the tides as best hiking is on a low or minus tide with firm sand. Take a picnic lunch with plenty of drinks & snacks, sturdy boots are good plus a jacket for a possible stiff breeze. Enjoy a wonderful day at this very special place.

Great value entrance fee of only $3 per family, waived for those holding a posted pass.

Stats; 11 miles round trip to lighthouse with short cliff climb back to the trailhead.

Had a good hike out to the lighthouse and back with the PWC today. Almost no sign of where the spit was breeched this winter. We paid no attention to the tides and made it all the way out to the end with no problems.

Saw two bald eagles and two harbor seals.

http://mosswalks.blogspot.com/

After not being out on a hike since late October, we were anxious to get out of the city (and away from home projects) to do an easy stroll. Although we went out a little over 2 miles on the spit, it was a pleasant hike. The weather was calm and a bit cool. At the trailhead, the volunteer host mentioned to us of numerous breaches in the spit from the recent storms, some hard to pass during a high tide. This not a problem for us, being we happened to catch it as the tide was going out, but there were definate breaches along the way. Saw numerous shorebirds. The Olympics were outstanding from this direction. A good winter hike when the tide and weather are on your side!

On Suday Dec,17th my wife and I walked about half way out to the lighthouse on the Dungeness Spit. We were shocked! It was hard to believe the extent of the damage to the Spit.In at least 12 places the action from last weeks storm allowed waves to wash thru the shingle and beach log barrier.Our walk was just at high tide and at a couple of locations water from the Strait flowed into the Bay.Even without a ""super storm"" like we just experienced I could see the Spit becoming a chain of islands..

The walk along the Dungeness Spit is long but rewarding for the wildlife and views of the Olympics and Strait of Juan de Fuca. The trail starts out with a $3.00 entry fee per party to the area, followed by a 1/2 mile forest trail to the spit and then 4.5 or 5 miles of beach to the light house.

Seals like the area and we heard some but did not see them this trip, although we have had them follow us to the lighthouse on past excursions.

The beach is marked with mileage signs to help guide the novice to an idea of how far it is to the light house and the turn around point.

Tom and I made it to Graveyard Spit, about 1 to 1.5 miles from the lighthouse before turning around. The day was great, with temperatures in the mid 60's and sunny. Walking on the spit requires some patience as the sand and gravel slides making the walk more challenging than it appears at first.

For additional details on the area check out “www.visitsun.com/dungeness” for a map and other information on the hike.

My younger (23) daughter and I had breakfast at The Oak Table in Sequim, then headed for Dungeness Spit to burn off those calories. Left the car at 10:20AM and made it to the lighthouse at 11:54AM. Incredible weather, scenery and company. It's always a joy to hike with one of my girls.

Usually we walk the Dungeness Spit in May but with reports of several Snowy Owl sightings we decided to do it this year in January. Luckily, no rain. Mild temperatures until the afternoon when it cooled down considerably. With the high winter tides it is highly recommended to watch the tidal schedule. There is only a very small strip of land during high tide. Even during low tide the walk across wet sand, pebbles and driftwood amounts to a strenuous work out.

We observed three Snowy Owls between the two and four miles' marks, on the inside of the spit towards the sheltered waters and mudflats. This was also the location where several hundreds Brants were feeding on the tidal eelgrass. Two Snow Buntings foraged for insects on some drift wood logs on top of the spit. We didn't see any Harlequin Ducks among the otherwise plenty waterfowl.

We highly recommend this Winter'stroll.'