While standing on the Deception Pass bridge watching a tug boat travel under pulling logs, I struck up a conversation with a fellow tug-watcher-woman wearing running clothes. She mentioned that there were a lot of great trails at Cornet Bay, so I went to investigate. After several trials, I was able to follow the shortest loop hiking (running) path shown on the park map, which I’ve recreated here in photos for your use. The hike/run from entry gate to entry gate is about 4 miles and is best enjoyed in the summer because it can be very wet and muddy during much of the year.
Here is a screen capture of the official park map: Official Park Map.
Follow Cornet Bay Road to the trail head.
Enter the area at the gate and follow the paved path to the SERVICE GATE DO NOT BLOCK sign, which is the trail head.
You’ll be starting out uphill, and continuing that way almost until you reach the first trail marker. Follow the (right) arrow towards TO WEST HOYPUS POINT TRAIL and continue right again at the (both directions arrows) WEST HOYPUS POINT TRAIL.
When you reach the (both directions arrows) FIRESIDE TRAIL sign, go left.
Continue straight (on Fireside Trail) ignoring both the FOREST GROVE trail sign (this leads to a more primitive trail) and EAST HOYPUS POINT TRAIL (if you take this trail, you’ll end up on Angler’s Haven Drive, another trail access point).
At the CCC CROSSING sign, go left. Continue straight on past the WEST HOYPUS POINT TRAIL (you will now have made a complete loop) and back to the paved road. Turn left and continue to the gate.Go right when you see the West Hoypus Point sign
More recently (and many times since), Erin, Nina and I trail ran a longer (7.25 miles) distance that was really fun. Instead of turning left at the T of FIRESIDE TRAIL, we turned right, continued to LITTLE ALDER, then to the NORTH FORK TRAIL and, finally, the OLD HOYPUS POINT LOGGING ROAD, which returned us to the East Hoypus Point trail. The logging road was wide but muddy and flanked by signs about logging, which were interesting to read as we slogged up the gradual but seemingly never ending hills. This summer, it’s become my favorite trail run for its changing terrain, peace and quiet and cool creatures to see.
Site Title 