Tursi Trail

For all the times I've visited Deception Pass State Park, this Thursday marked my first time hiking the Pass Lake and John Tursi trails. I enjoyed the diversity of plant communities throughout the hike; the trail alternates between lush alder and cedar forests, drier Douglas fir forests, and hillsides with grassy meadows and Pacific madrone (or madrona) trees. Although other parts of the park probably offer better opportunities for wildflower photography, the meadows here could be worth a return visit later in the spring; the forests definitely are.

First, an encouraging sign of spring: leaves of osoberry, or Indian plum (Oemleria cerasiformis) emerging. Sword ferns and red alder trunks are visible in the background. F/11.

Next, a forest view along the trail. I imagine this stretch of trail will be very lovely in late spring and early summer. F/14.

Next, a view into the Heilman Valley, with Pacific madrone or madrona (Arbutus menziesii) in the foreground. F/16.

Finally, a view across the Heilman Valley toward Rodger Bluff. The edit I'm posting here is a good start, but some additional color and contrast work, to further differentiate the foreground trees and background cliffs, will probably be in order. F/14.

In addition to the John Tursi Trail and Pass Lake loop, I also hiked the Big Cedar trail, which is not shown on maps but clearly signed. It's a steep grunt up a creek ravine, but it's always worthwhile to check out old-growth forest in western Washington (there are, indeed, a couple very large old cedars along the trail). I didn't get any pictures this time, but the area might be worth a return visit later in the year, when the understory is greener and has less visible detritus.

That's all for now, folks! Enjoy your day and wash your hands!