Deception Pass: North Beach-West Beach 9/25/18

Beach hiking can be simultaneously relaxing and exhilarating. The steady, easy rhythm of a perfectly flat grade at sea level with sand and pebbles stretching out for miles can put one in a zen-mode. Balanced against this peacefulness is a steady assault of the senses of sound, smell, and sight - pungent salt air, sound of crashing waves on the beach, bright sunshine unfiltered by shade of trees, the squawking high pitch of seagulls in constant search of their next meal, and freshness of a crisp breeze carrying cool air from the fog of open ocean. It is hard to beat a late morning of wild beach hiking!

This 4-mile beach hike begins at Deception Pass bridge, where we descend down to the beach and navigate around a couple of bluffs
that break up otherwise endless stretches of sand and gravel.

It is one mile along North Beach to the far distant point marking West Beach, where we turn 90 degrees left (South) and proceed an additional one mile.
Repeat the two miles back to the bridge and you have transited four miles of glorious unspoiled beach.

Fog burning off just outside of Deception Pass adds drama to the sublime feast of visual spectacles!

The Mystic Sea whale watching charter vessel is a common sight along this portion of islands.

A fisherman wades deep into the cold waters of Deception Pass (lower right) while beachcombers bask in the warming sun along North Beach.

A lone fisherman tests his skills in the currents of Deception Pass, another common sight.

During peak season, these beaches can be crowded with dozens of like-minded sportsmen seeking a meal or a trophy fish.

When we hike North Beach, we check the tides so we know if we can expect to round two bluffs that can divide this stretch of beach into three distinct separate expanses.

At higher tide, there is a trail along the forest's edge that allows one to transit regardless of tide.

Approaching the distinct point separating North Beach from West Beach...

Looking back exactly one mile to Deception Pass Bridge where our hike began.

Rock outcroppings at West Point. There are multiple ways to round this distinct feature: at low tide one can scamper around and through pocket sandy beaches;

but at higher tide one can scramble over the rocks or choose one of dozens of paths criss-crossing thick tangles of vegetation.

Lush green grass, sandy beach, dark menacing rock outcroppings, azure waters, and shifting fog provide a visual feast.

Discovering secret trails leading to the beach is a delight!

An elderly woman waits patiently as the fog begins to yield to sunshine.

The old woman enjoys the company of a lone seagull.

These outcroppings just off West Point are a favorite for the local seagull population.

At low tide, the seagulls are replaced by young families exploring the tidepools that can be easily explored.

Fog beginning to lift...

Deception Pass is the most popular park in Washington State. At West Point, where the large day parking lot lies just off the beach,

there are almost always visitors exploring the beach, building driftwood forts, hunting for prized sea glass,
and just enjoying the easy access to ocean beaches.

Dare to walk a bit further and one can easily escape the crowds and enjoy unspoiled beaches for miles.
Hiking rule #1: the further one walks from the parking lot, the fewer the people.
Hiking rule #2: Fewer the people, the less litter and more pristine the surroundings...

Moxie expressing her sheer joy for ocean beaches and the sense of freedom of these open spaces!

One of Moxie's favorite activities: chasing seagulls off of HER beach!

Moxie waits patiently as I soak up a few rays of sunshine at the mid-point of the 4-mile hike.

Moxie poses in front of a driftwood fort. Even the largest of these are knocked down by the occasional storm
that brings a continuous supply of "building materials" for the next industrious beach hiker to start over again.

A little fog does not deter a local crabber from dispersing his crab pots.

Do the math: it is exactly 0.9 miles from the bridge to West Beach (0.2 + 0.7 = 0.9).
Add another mile along West Beach, and return via North Beach to the bridge, and you have almost exactly 4 miles of beach hiking.

On the return, the rising tide has made the bluffs along North Beach unpassable via the beach route.

The wooded trail along the forest features some outstanding boardwalk to transit damp and muddy sections.

Another favorite pastime for Moxie: swimming to retrieve driftwood from the chilly waters of Deception Pass.

A sailboat patiently waited for slack tide before slowly motoring through the passage at Deception Pass and out to open water toward the San Juan Islands.

The stone wall that supports the trail ascending North Beach to Deception Pass Bridge is an engineering marvel
and makes for a dramatic transition to access this remarkable beach and park area.

Back to the bridge two hours later, the fog has burned off completely. Wind-sculpted tree branches frame the bright blue skies and water of this classic Northwest landscape.