Rough along beach, logs all over, watch the tides, no trail

This was supposed to be the Deception Pass 50k race, but given the flooding the prior week, the official race was canceled. So a couple of friends and I headed to DP State Park anyway to run our own 50k. The weather looked beautiful, and we already had campground reservations. 

tl;dr: the weather was amazing, the trails were in incredible shape, the campground was spotless, and a wonderful time was had by all. We ran the Discovery trail to Forest trail to Goose Rock, around Cornet Bay, across the bridge, and looped Lottie Pt. Lighthouse Point was next, followed by a trip out to Rosario Head and back across the bridge. All these trails were in terrific condition, no logs, no blowdowns, well drained, and the views were beautiful.

Back over Goose Rock and out to Cornet Bay Rd, we did two loops of CCC --> Hoypus --> Fireside --> Forest Grove --> Fern Gully --> down logging road to N Fork --> Little Alder --> Hoypus. Back out Cornet Bay Rd took us to the Discovery Trail --> Beach Trail to end at the amphitheater.  

Any of these trails are great for hiking. There was one down log on W Hoypus but it was easy to cross. In general the trails on Hoypus Hill were muddier but other than getting your kicks a bit dirty get out and enjoy this beautiful jewel in our state park crown.

We parked at Bowman Bay, walked up to Rosario Head, back to Bowman Bay, over to the bridge, the Goose Rock perimeter trail, along the road by Cranberry Pond to West Point, over to North Beach, across the bridge and back to Bowman Bay. 

It was an unexpectedly lovely day with some sun, clouds, drizzle, amazing light on the water and relatively few people.  Any excellent way to spend a December afternoon.  

A few puddles and mud on the trail but overall very nice. It turned out to be a lovely day at Bowman Bay. Tide was pretty far in but we had a little sand to play in. Our highly was watching 3 harbor seals in Lottie Bay. I recommend both the Lottie Bay and Light house Point loops. Beautiful views of the bridge and water. Temperatures were mild and no wind. Just a lovely adventure. 

I started at the Rosario area and went up Rosario Head and then took the trail that goes along Sharpe Cove that climbs and then drops down to Bowman Bay. From there I was able to walk on the beach and around the rocks below the headland-but just barely as the tide was coming in. Once on the tombolo there was lots of room to continue on to Reservation Head. I went around the head with a few excursions on side trails with views of the small inlets and steep rock cliffs. On the return trip the tide had nearly covered up the rocks below so I went up and over the headland.

There were lots of people out hiking, kayaking, beach combing and picnicking. There are restrooms at Rosario and Bowman Bay. I saw several herons, bunnies and a sealion.