Trip Reports

Who could pass up this beautiful day!? Jack & I headed out to Deception Pass; more specifically Goose Rock. There are approximately five miles of trails on Goose Rock offering something for everyone, a great family hike. A word of caution; the map identifies trails by number and the many trail signs refer to trail names only. I generally make it a habit to snap a photo of the trail map at the trailhead so that I have something to refer back to, as needed. However, the trails are well-signed and the Goose Rock area is very small and surrounded by water on 3 sides.

Today there was plenty of parking in the main parking lot; don't forget your Discover Pass! Crossing under the bridge, I headed up the North Summit trail then veered right and headed somewhat steeply down the Lower Forest trail, where there are lots of wild rhododendrons in many shades of pink. The sunlight streaming through the tall Douglas Fir trees was amazing! The Lower Forest trail brought us to the gate for the Cornet Bay Youth Camp (access restricted), from there we went north on the Discovery Trail. This wide, smooth trail was the only spot where we encountered a very small muddy area today. It was near the small pond (or swamp) which was ideal for Jack to take a quick swim to cool off.

We huffed up to the summit which is the highest point on Whidbey Island at just under 500'. There are plenty of signs asking people to stay off the balds and meadows at the summit. Hopefully people are respecting the signs and barriers. After a quick snack and water break for both of us, we walked down the South Summit trail which is steep and narrow in parts. Lots of wildlife on this side of the rock. Jack took an opportunity to go for another swim on the east side then we followed the perimeter trail around to the Northeast Summit trail and headed back up to the top again. From there we descended the same trail we first came up, walked under the impressive bridge and back to the parking lot.

Today we only saw 4 people out on the trails. I LOVE the beauty and solitude that we can find so close to home.

Our hike was about 5 miles in just under 3 hours today; with lots of breaks to take pictures. This is a great hike for kids, but just a word of caution: some of the trails, particularly on the South Summit trail, are narrow will require a bit of handholding.

This morning hike up to the Goose Rock Summit produced great views, along with wonderful wildflower and butterfly displays. By midmorning Echo Blue and Brown Elfin butterflies could be frequently seen flying among the wildflowers and shrubs along the trail. The showy wildflowers along the bluffs included Meadow Death Camas, Common Camas, Chocolate Lily, Oregon Sunshine, Sea Blush, Paintbrush & Stonecrop. Goose Rock Summit, at 484 feet, gives you incredible views of Deception Pass and the surrounding islands.

SO I went out and did Goose Rock and Hoypus point today on a beautiful sunny day. Did GR first, got there at about 9:00am and no one else was on the trail and only a few Deception Pass Bridge. Did the Perimeter Trail to the top of the rock and then coming down I took the Discovery Trail to the CCC trail and under the highway to my car where I was parked near North Beach. Some mud on the Discovery but other than that not much to worry about. Great time to go while the rest of the population is still hibernating. Hoypus Point/Hill was a little muddy for my tastes. All I've heard about this place is about how you can beat the crowds of people at the bridge and come over to this little know gem but on a weekday before noon there were several groups of people on all of the trails out there, wasn't prepared for that. I saw something big flash across the trail near one of the houses on the other side, I have to assume it was a coyote as I didn't have enough time to get a good look at it.

For New Years Eve, a hike on the rocks! We started our hike from the end of Cranberry Lake at the north beach trailhead. There are a number of places to start, but this gave us a nice beachwalk, which we did on the way back. The park trails are all very well signed, but if you have the Green Trails 41S map it is easier to plan your route. We did the bluff trail under the bridge, then took the perameter trail, then cut up from the south side. Some views of the N Cascades from the NE. On top there were good views out on the water and to the south.The rocks were wet and slick, be cautious. We did not see the Olympics as it was cloudy. We came back down the discovery trail, crossing under the CCC built underpass, then headed to the beach.

Beautiful day hike. It was a little rainy, but the trail shields you from most of that. Given the time of year, some parts were a little slippery when we hit larger rock faces. Of note: The trailhead parking lot in the directions is closed for the winter, but you can easily get there by parking elsewhere. We parked near the south beach, which added another mile or so to get to the listed trailhead. Would highly recommend this one!

With a nice sunny day we headed up to Deception Pass State Park for some hiking. Started the hike from the West Beach parking lot and went along the North Beach Trail as the tide was in so we could not walk up the beach. At the trail junction just past the Highway 20 Deception Pass bridge we took the Perimeter Trail to the second junction. Then up hill on the connector trail to the Goose Rock Summit Trail. We walked on the granite rock to the top at 484 feet elevation where we found a good spot for lunch. For a not too tall mountain, it does have a big view. Out to the west we could see all of the east side of the Olympic Mountains, down south to Rainier and to the SE White Chuck, Whitehorse, Three Fingers, Bear, Liberty and Pilchuck can be seen. We stayed on the summit for an hour enjoying the view and eating lunch, and also watching the Navy jets and four engine prop sub seeking planes do touch and goes at the WINAS.

We hiked back down from the top on the Summit Trail to the Perimeter Trail next to Cornet Bay to do a loop. Further on we took the Discovery Trail back to the campground. The trail passes under the Highway 20 stone and concrete bridge build in 1934 by the CCC men. There is a plaque by the bridge giving the history of its construction. This part of the trail is on an old road bed. Passing through the now closed group camping area with the parking lot entrance blocked by big boulders, it brought back memories of my camping there for the first time fifty years ago with Boy Scout Troop 112 from Alderwood Manor (a town that no longer exists). We Scouts camped and hiked the trails at the park several times back in the early 1960's. Sally and I then took the service road down to the junction by the park maintenance buildings and hiked the mile on the West Beach Trail to the parking lot to complete our 5.2 mile loop.

All of the trails we hiked are in good shape. Note that all of the campsites north of Cranberry Lake are closed for the winter. We only saw three other hikers all day. Check out Goose Rock for the big view.

The Goose Rock trail breaks off into multiple paths to take. Tere were nice views of the small islands and water, Trail wasn't very rough and nice and wide paths. Awesoeme view around the island once at the top of the summit. I'd say good for a family hike.

  My ankle was hurting me so I decide to minimize my up hill climbing and stick to a lower hike so I head out to Deception Pass State Park to try and hike all the trails within the park on my Hike#33. I hiked all but the isolated part of the park called Hoypus Point. I did hike all of Hoypus Point last year and found minmal views of water or mountains just lots of forested areas. This hike today was a lot harder then I expected. I started at Rosario Head Trail at the far northwest corner of the park working my way on the Bowman Bay Rosario Beach Trail to Bowman Bay. This is a nice section to hike with minimal up and down and great views of Bowman Bay.
  After hiking out the pier I headed to Lighthouse Point Trail out on the Pennisula. This area gives you great views of both spans of Deception Pass Bridge. After finishing off this whole trail I headed over to the Lottie Bay Trail for some great pictures just below the bridge.
  I then back tracked up the trail that leads over to Pass Lake and took the trail that heads back behind Pass Lake toward Ginnet Hill. I wish the trail went all the way to Campbell Lake since it would seem there is land within the park boundary that leads all the way to this lake. I then back tracked and over another trail that goes back down toward Rosario Head and around back to Pass Lake following a trail that runs along the road on the hill. This finished off all the known Deception Pass Park Trails on Fidalgo Island side of the park. I did hike the bridge trail over to hike the old trail leading up Bowman Hill out to the cave on the northeast side of Highway 20 but found that it is off limits now by the signs I read so I headed backdown to my truck to moved it over to the Whidbey Island side of the park.
  I moved over to West Beach on the Whidbey Island side and hiked The Sand Dune Trail which led me back to the truck. I then proceeded up the Nature Trail which lead up toward the park entrance. I then walked over and hiked the north end of Cranberry Lake Trail. I then walked down to North Beach and walked west back to west beach and the parking lot where my truck was. This is a really nice hike with great views of Deception Pass Bridge and the Inlet Passage.
  I then moved my truck to north beach parking lot where I headed uphill to the bridge and hiked south to north across the bridge to Fidalgo Island and back the other side north to south to Whidbey Island. I then headed down under the bridge. I proceeded to hike the Goose Rock Perimeter Trail around and headed up to the summit of Goose Rock.
  I then headed downhill on the south side of Goose Rock to Coronet Bay and hiked the Discovery Trail to the Interpretive Center. I then back tracked up and hiked the lower summit trail and back up the Summit Trail on the northside taking a short cut down to the Goose Rock Perimeter Trail again and around by the bridge back up summit trail to the downhill trail leading to Discovery Trail to the tunnel that goes under Highway 20 and backdown the trail on the west side of Highway 20 back to North Beach. My ankle did hurt a lot during this hike but I am determine to finish what I planned so I will need a break to recover now. All and all I believe the total trail distance hiked was 11 miles but a lot of these trails do not have their length listed.
  Checkout my youtube channel at "lmm3181" of over 200 hikes I have done in Washington State or checkout the twelve videos I did of my hike through Deception Pass State Park today and you will see different parts of the park and the spectacular views they have to offer. You can click on these direct links to this hike down below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMHalIOdSn0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMbm-__CE4Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89GTK7UP_2s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNkR4-cvFQw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QgQIWLDctU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlMHpqhq4Kk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy0JtZrrwIk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiZpnhtvUhg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIMiW9_aTW4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlCjuGWRwws
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXUvhw81BRk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRbFVL3HZOM

As always get out and see this beautiful state and enjoy your hiking!

Take Care
Mike
  

Walked the full perimeter trail then up to the summit of Goose Rock early on a Monday. The Deception Pass pullout was packed but there wasn't a single other soul on the mountain when I was up there. The view from the top really is amazing - one of the best bang for buck effort to view ratio in the state. I parked at Deception State Park north lot to avoid the traffic up on hwy 20. The trail is short enough to walk the bridge and walk down to the west beach or over the Cranberry lake once coming down. Great little hike.

I took this hike early in the day because I knew the parking area would be less crowded, and also because we have reached our warm summer days, and I looked forward to a walk in the cool mist that had developed overnight.

The area directly around Deception Pass can be quite busy, but it doesn't take long to escape the tourists, as most will not walk more than the few feet it takes to snap a picture of their family against the stunning backdrop of the bridge. I walked the Goose Rock Summit trail today, and I met only 3 other groups of hikers in the 2 hours I was there.

As early as it was, there was noise from Highway 20, though that quickly faded as I ascended into the forest. The trail is in very good condition. It is steep in some places, and occasionally rocky, but I am not in the best physical condition and I managed it without much resting.

The view at the top was obscured by that mist that I welcomed for its coolness, but there was enough visibility to appreciate the view. It would be stunning on a crisp fall day. I was surprised at the wildflowers still in bloom, most notably Indian Pipe. I even saw some flat-spurred piperia at the top. Along the way, there were many gorgeous Pacific Madrones, stunning in their scarlet orange. The top is a study in growth and destruction, with some amazing twisted, bleached trees, victims of wind and lightning. I can see myself up here for hours with a good book and a sack lunch, as the top is full of balding areas to sit and contemplate.

I came back down to my car, taking a last moment to people watch. Visitors do such strange and dangerous things in their efforts to get a unique photo of themselves at the bridge.

 

We chose to hike the NW Goose Rock Summit Trail today. This is a well maintained trail and a nice short hike with a bit of elevation gain (over 400 feet in .4 mile, according to the guide). It shouldn't be too difficult for children to hike, despite the elevation gain. Even younger children should do fine with enough rest stops.

For about 1/3 of the hike you can hear noise from the highway which is a bit distracting. Once you get past that though, it's quite peaceful (except for the occasional jet noise from Whidbey NAS). At the top of the summit you are greeted with lovely views, even on a cloudy day.

You can see more of our hike at: http://1retromama.blogspot.[…]ate-park-nw-goose-rock.html

I hiked the loop at Whistle Lake. It was serene, but not interesting. I headed for Deception Pass and hiked the Goose Rock Perimeter and Summit trails, which are very interesting.

The wildflowers are blooming in abundance. Today's beauties include Paintbrush, Camas, Vetch, Stonecrop, Coralroot, Orange Honeysuckle, Cow's Clover, Wild Roses, and Wild Rhodies.

The views of Puget Sound and the Olympics from Goose Rock Summit are stunning. And the view of Baker from the Perimeter trail is great as well.

There were many people at Deception Pass, but only a few hikers on the trail. That's just the way I like it.

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.

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

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!

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.

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.

Today was a beautiful day for a hike at Deception Pass... although I was leading a group of 12 school kids so I'm not sure how people outside of our group felt...

We started at the Cornet Bay ELC and came up the backside of Goose Rock Summit Trail, the view was awesome! We went underneath the Deception Pass Bridge and then hiked down to the beach at Deception Pass State park.

This hike is always a good one no matter what time of year and you can see tons of wildlife. Even with 12 kids yelling and stomping along with me I still saw 2 bald eagles, a rabbit, and a flock of blue herons.

Berries should be in season on the trail in 1-2 weeks.

We like to take this short hike in April or May. Today, as usual, it was delightful. We started at the North Beach Parking Lot, and headed north along the trail which parallels the coast. This part has spectacular views of Deception Pass. Once on the north side, we dropped down to the water. The tide was low and G. enjoyed finding crabs and popping seaweed bladders, while S. found an agate. We walked east until the beach ran out, then scrambled up a steep slope back to the trail. This part of the trail is my favorite. First one traverses open meadows and steep rock gardens, very flowery in the spring. Some of my favorites are larkspur, sedum, camas, and indian paintbrush. The trail then dips to the beach one more time before climbing through woods. The woods are mostly Madrone, and the undergrowth includes western azalea, service berry, ocean spray, and Kinnickinuk. The service berry was in bloom and the azaleas are just starting.

The trail tops out on more flower meadows and rock outcroppings at Goose rock, which gives great views from the Cascades to the Olympics. One then has a choice of short trails back to the parking lot.

The park just south of the Deception Pass bridge is full of easy, rambling hikes in the woods with views out across Puget Sound to the Olympics or, east of the road, to stunning views of Mt. Baker and the wonderful waterways and islands of our Pacific NW. The trail west to the point is in good shape but short. It is disappointing that you hike a mile to get to a parking lot. Much more interesting are the trails east of the road around and over Goose Rock. The signs for the perimeter trail are misleading. The ""perimeter"" is only the curved part of a ""D"". You have to take the lower forest trail and ultimately the Goose Rock summit to get back to your car. On a sunny day like today, however, it was fun just to be outdoors.

Deception Pass State Park 5/19/07

“No other spot in the northwest, and perhaps the nation, offers a more pleasant combination of marine, forest and mountain environments.”

This park gets a rare “10 ” rating in Pacific Northwest Hiking by Judd

& Nelson. It was a great place for a Navigation hike/field trip.

The park is split into 4 parts by roads and bodies of water. We

sampled 3 of the parts: Goose Rock peninsula, North beach, and

Bowman bay. We also split our class of 27 students into 3 parts to spread them out a

bit. Starting cold and windy, but not wet, the day proceeded to get

better and better with some sun, variable clouds, the wind dying down,

and the temperature rising to almost 60. We hiked, stopped to do

compass bearings, hiked more , did more exercises , etc ......

Lunch was in the ampitheater at the end of North beach where the

students took a written test and did map work. Our most striking scenery came at the end of the day on the Lighthouse Point trail

in Bowman Bay. All trails were in good condition with no washouts

and downed trees cut and moved.

FLORA: Some flowers were in the forest, some in sunny openings, and

 some on the rocky summit of Goose Rock. By color:

White: saskatoon, wild strawberry, bramble, thimbleberry,

 foamflower, death camas, cow parsnip, small flowered alumroot

Yellow: sedum, wooly sunflower

Orange: indian paintbrush, honeysuckle vine

Blue: sweet pea, larkspur, camas

Purple: naked broomrape

Pink: starflower, rhodadendron , hookers onion

Some of these are common only to the San Juan islands area.

Five were new for me. I didn’t get many photos since I left my

good camera in the car because of the threatening rain in the

morning. Minature point and shoot came along in a safe

pocket so I wasn’t totally shut out.



Stats: 7 miles, 600 ft. gain

Robert Michelson

Sarah was afraid mudslides are going to get her, and she figured a pretty safe destination would be Deception Pass. Julie was excited because she wanted to identify winter twigs. There's actually a book twig identification. I'm not kidding. I waited until we were on the way home before pointing out to Sarah that there's no better chance for being buried in a mudslide than a Washington beach. I was going to work the word, ""tsnunami"" in there, but I decided to let sleeping dogs lie. I figure we all have our deal.

A trail I had never been on is the Goose Rock/Summit/Perimeter trail on the east side of the Bridge. Wow, what a wonderful forest walk! Absolutely beautiful. From the parking lot south of the Bridge, we took the Perimeter Trail to the Summit of Goose Rock, and the Lower Forest Trail to Discovery Trail that passed under a rock bridge (Hwy 20 on top) and back to North Beach to complete the loop. Lots of old growth here, and it's quiet, away from the highway. All around is a fresh, earthy, coastal fragrance.

We eat dinner at a nice little place, the Tyee Cafe at the Tyee Motel in Coupeville. We missed it and had to turn around. I mean we missed the town. Just so you know, it's easier to detect if you're coming from the other direction.

An excellent day with excellent freinds. A perfect winter trail choice!