Perfect Day for Mapping at Deception Pass

James and I ran about 15 miles of trails at Deception Pass State Park Saturday for a mapping expedition.  Deception Pass is at the North end of Whidbey Island, Washington.  The trails boast amazing views of Deception Pass bridge, rocky slopes descending into the sea, beaches, and magical forest trails.  With rainshadow type terrain, madrones, grassy knolls, and rolling hills the trails are optimal for runners.  Part of the trail system on Bowman Hill climbs .8 miles to a lookout with incredible views of Whidbey Island, the Olympic Mountains, Cornet Bay, Bowman Bay, Similk Bay, and Fidalgo Island.  Washington State Parks describes the park in this excerpt from their website:

Deception Pass State Park is a 4,134-acre marine and camping park with 77,000 feet of saltwater shoreline, and 33,900 feet of freshwater shoreline on three lakes. Rugged cliffs drop to meet the turbulent waters of Deception Pass. The park is outstanding for breath-taking views, old-growth forests and abundant wildlife. http://www.parks.wa.gov/parks/?selectedpark=Deception%20Pass

Visit the park's website for a complete map of trails and campgrounds: http://www.parks.wa.gov/parks/thumbnailAndmaps/5250043.pdf

 Starting out the run at cranberry Lake, West side of Whidbey Island

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 West beach, near Cranberry Lake, pictured above and below

 North Beach

There are a lot of views of the bridge

Under the bridge

 On the bridge

 Bowman Bay

 Bowman Bay

view from Bowman Hill, Cornet Bay

 More views from Bowman Hill

 Bowman Hill

Sun setting from Bowman HIll