Bottom Line:
Hiking in Deception Pass State Park from Bowman Bay boat launch (right turnoff right after Pass Lake as you approach the bridge from Anacortes) to Reservation Head, Lighthouse Point and Lottie Point. Always love a loop trail, and this one had 3. This hike is amazingly beautiful... from the green color of the ocean to the mosses high and low, huge Douglas Firs, colorful Pacific Madrone, and wildly windswept Cypress trees. The rocky headlands have many hidden channels and coves to explore via various spur trails. With the high tide and seas, lots of crashing waves near and far. Relaxing and beautiful! I only saw about 5 other people.
Stats:
- Distance: ~5 miles
- Duration: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Vertical: 865 ft (up and down - see profile below)
- Road/Parking: Road down to Bowman Bay has some flooded spots but no more than 6" deep. LOTS of parking at Bowman Bay boat launch, although it looks like the King tides may have flooded the lot recently; Discover Pass required; the pier connection to the beach is washed out
- Flora/Fauna: Seals and eagles today - heard more of the latter than I saw, but I did see one eagle fishing with a plunging dive. Not the crowds of eagles from the other day. The ocean has a fantastic green color in this area, will plenty of bull kelp. The forest is nothing short of amazing, from an understory of varied mosses to huge Douglas Firs, colorful and always-leafy Pacific Madrones, and windswept Cypress Trees. Did not seem like a December hike in Washington! The rocky headlands have lots of little spurs to explore but watch for some exposure and the possibility of sneaker waves.
- Trail: The trail from Bowman Bay to the junction at Lottie Bay has a short section that is washed out. It would be difficult to get past a damaged bridge when the tide is very high, like this morning's King tide. Today the tide was going out while I hiked, and there was ample beach to bypass the bridge on the return. The trails have some storm damage - e.g. down trees. Areas of mud. The isthmus to the "island" with Lighthouse Loop can also be hard to cross with a very high tide. Finally, you really need a low tide to cross to Lighthouse Point "island" via another sand isthmus; today, "low" tide was 7 ft and the crossing was underwater. NOTE: There was a lot of navy jet traffic today but thankfully the surf was very loud as well :)
- Takeaway: Not the longest trail, and mainly pocket beaches, but lots of nooks and crannies to explore, and of course the ocean opens up the possibility of seeing whales or porpoises although the roughness today made that a little more difficult. Binoculars recommended! I was out there for 3 hours because it was so beautiful! Lots of grassy bluffs to chill on and just enjoy the view. More life the San Juan islands than say, my outer coast trip to Tofino (with those incredible reflections!!) over Thanksgiving.
The attached video shows all 3 loops as well as some higher-definition pictures.
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