North End Hikes and Walks with Dogs: Saturday Morning Walk/Hike – Goose Rock, Deception Pass

Welcome to our off season. Bad weather happens, but i try not to let it stop us. Dangerous conditions, however, will cause me to cancel completely or change what we do. Please check in the morning of the event to see what is happening. Arm yourself for winter weather. Please keep your RSVP up to date – even if you are on the waiting list.

OK, let’s hike off Thanksgiving turkey in anticipation of Christmas Goose.

Distance: about 4-5 miles
Elev. Gain : Almost 500 ft
Path Type: mostly dirt, uneven terrain. expect some ups and down. some paved.
Parking: at west beach parking area (near beach)
Permits/Passes: Discover Pass
Dogs: allowed on leash, poop must be scooped.
Humans: vaccinated against covid or mask must be worn.

https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/deception-pass-goose-rock

Hike to the highest point on Whidbey Island for excellent views near and far. On your journey upward, walk the beach, cross under one of the most scenic bridges in the state, and check out the twisted trunks of the Pacific Madrone trees on the way.

Start your hike at the far west end of Cranberry Lake. Walk to the amphitheater and locate the trail on the far side. This is the North Beach trail. Follow the wide, well-built trail for almost a mile as it climbs above North Beach toward the bridge. Once you reach the bridge, the trail crosses under it, giving you a chance to admire the engineering. Started in August of 1934 and completed in July of 1935, the bridge and much of the park was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the height of the Great Depression.

Getting There
From I-5 North in Mount Vernon, take the Highway 20 exit, (exit 230), signed for Burlington/Anacortes. Stay in the left lane and turn left onto Highway 20 west. In 11.4 miles, turn left at the intersection with spur 20 to Anacortes. Your turn will be signed Whidbey Island/Deception Pass.

Continue on 20, crossing the Deception Pass bridge in 6 miles. One mile after crossing the bridge, turn right into Deception Pass State Park. This is the main entrance. Stay on the lower road, following it along Cranberry Lake to the end, and a large parking lot by the beach. There are lots of parking spaces (except on sunny weekends) and restrooms. To start your hike, follow the sign to the amphitheater