Deception Pass State Park - Headlands / Rosario Head / Lighthouse Point — Friday, Jan. 1, 2016

Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area

Decided to find a snow-free destination on New Year's Day, taking advantage of the clear day to look out across the Sound. Although the WTA hiking guide description of this hike has the trailhead at the Bowman Bay parking lot, I like to start this hike at Rosario Beach (the parking lot is closed, but there is a fair amount of roadside parking at the gate), starting with the first of the three loops around Rosario Head, proceeding on the trail along the headland cliffs around Bowman Bay, then doing the second loop around Lighthouse Point, and ending with the third loop around Lottie Point before heading back to Rosario. The first two loops in particular have ample open grassy bluffs for viewing across the water. From Lighthouse Point we saw two seals very nearby and porpoises off in the distance. From Lottie Point you can descend a small spur trail to an unobstructed view of Deception Pass. The strong current flowing through Deception Pass is always remarkable. Lots of points along the trails to access a wide sandy beach or a small private beach cove.