A Day of Exploring the Pacific Northwest

9:50AM: Port Townsend Keystone Ferry

As I continued north to connect with Highway 104, the fog began to dissipate and blue skies become more of a commonality. I felt that I got somewhat lucky with the changing conditions, considering the amount of rainfall the area typically gets every year. The tall pines that lined the road left the sun breaking through lighting up the fog just right.

After some stops for photos and gas I continued north to arrive at Port Townsend.  As I mentioned before, I was simply following the instructions of Google maps on my way to my final destination. I typically just let it take me where it wants, as it most likely takes me to the more interesting types of places and situation. This time was no different. As the map instructed me to “Turn Left in 30 feet” I looked at where it is telling me to go and stop for a moment in confusion. The mapping software was telling me to board a boat. Being from the south originally and living in Chicago for the last 4 years, I will have to be honest and say I have never boarded a ferry with a vehicle and was slightly nervous and unsure of what to do.

I decided to just go with it and try it out, as it was most definitely a new and exciting part of the adventure I was on. I continued on and followed the instructions of the mapping software and boarded the rental car and I on the “Port Townsend Keystone Ferry” This ferry is responsible for transporting passengers from one side of the “Strait of Juan de Fuca” to the other.

As the ferry departed Port Townsend we headed slightly east with a final destination of Coupeville, a cute little town nestled in the bay of the Salish Sea, and Puget Sound. The homes here are all out of another era, and were painted with vibrant primary colors of reds and yellows. As the ferry crossed the bay we were headed straight into a think wall of fog that was developing. I headed out to the upper deck with camera in hand to experience our transition from sunny skies to that of gray fogginess. As we entered the fog, I noticed a strange occurrence happening just to the side of the boat. The sun was shinny through the fog and creating a white rainbow. At first I was confused as to how this phenomenon was happening but shortly after first sight a woman walked up to me and explained on how the effect was created. I stood in amazement as the thick fog rolled across the railing and wood of the boat’s deck and the ships horn blaring to give warning of other ships that may not be able to see our boat traveling through.

11:15AM
Deception Pass

11:15AM: Deception Pass

After arriving in Coupeville, I departed the ferry and continued north. I was headed toward Deception Pass. Before I left for this trip I did some research the day before and read up a little on the area. This helped create some excitement for my arrival, as I knew it would be a good place to do some sight seeing. I arrived at Deception pass to be greeted by a magnificent steel bridge. The Deception Pass Bridge was built in 1934 and connects the Strait of Juan de Fuca with the Saratoga Passage. It was named “Deception Pass” because it primarily was recorded as a small bay by the Spanish, but was later discovered to be a really a huge and turbulent channel.

 

2:45PM
Diablo Lake

5:20PM: Maple Pass Loop

As amazing as Diablo lake was to just stare out I knew I still had to get to my final destination of Maple Pass Loop, and was running out of day soon. So I jumped back into my rental and headed up the mountain some more towards the trailhead. After a bit more driving then I expected I arrived at Rainy Pass. It was around 5pm when I started on foot up the trail to towards my final destination of Maple Pass Loop.

Maple Pass Loop is a loop trail that takes you up to a ridge that circles Lake Ann. Most people hike the trail in a clockwise direction, but since I was so limited in time I had read that if you wanted to get to the peak faster, you should go counter clockwise. It was a steeper climb but made for a faster trip to the top. I started on the trail and at this point was practically running up the mountain in excitement and worry that I was going to run out of daylight to get a sufficient shot of Lake Ann that sat below in the valley. The trail takes you through a wide range of scenery as you climb up the mountain. You start out in the thick muddy covering of the forest tress that sit at the base of the mountains, and are soon surrounded by flowers and scenic mountain views minutes later. As you climb higher Lake Ann starts to come into view, a distracting view, as you have to pay close attention to the rocky trail ahead.

I reached the top of the mountain just in time for sunset, but the cloud cover that was going on left for mystic type scenes to capture. I took as many shots as I could in the remaining amount of day that was left, and soon my battery in my camera went dead at the same time. I took a bit of time to just sit and gaze at its beauty a bit more before I started my decent back down the mountain. By this time it was dark and since I only knew one part of the trail for sure I decided it was best to head back down the mountain the same way I came up rather than trying to complete the loop in the unfamiliar second half of the trail.