This is an easy access winter hike with plenty of pay back for a half day outing. The path is packed gravel so you don't even need your boots. You can do the hike starting at either the north or south end. We went with south this time and had to squeeze our car on the side of the road, near the gated exit point. The small official parking lot can only take ten cars tops, and there is a single porta-potty next to the gate which was just in OK shape. The parking at the north end is a short street walk away but more expansive (if I remember correctly).
The walk is 2 miles and change each way. More trail side benches have been installed since I was last here. No use to us this time as with a stiff breeze and cold temps we were all about moving along. Plenty of bird life along the way (herons, ducks, eagles, perching birds), and the always amazing wide open views out to the San Juans. We could even see Mount Rainier off in the sunny distance even as the sun stayed stubbornly behind the low cloud deck over head. The distant sun shine also gave the horizon a sort of permanent sun set glow even though we hiked before noon! The seaward side water level was very high, with an impressive drop down to the fields on the land side of the dyke. At one point on the trail it seemed that waves must have even lapped the top.
The closer in hills all had a new frosting of snow making the hike look just as cold as it felt. With the breeze coming from the cold mountains we were glad to have our full roster of winter gear and everyone ended up hiking in puffies, hats and gloves. The north end (which has a nicer entry point with picnic table and landscaping), is a little more sheltered so we had a quick break there before heading back chilling our opposite cheeks.
After our hike we headed north to Bayview state park (just a few minutes away), for a bracing picnic at the beach side picnic tables. Lots of eagle activity here flying to and fro as we drank our very welcome hot chocolate. Highly recommend using this as your pit-stop before or after hiking as the open outhouse near the covered picnic pavilion was spiffy clean.
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