Hike of the Week: Fort Flagler

Fort Flagler's beaches and bluffs offer sweeping views

Fort Flagler

Former military post now protects island habitats



by Craig Romano
photo by Craig Romano
produced by Michael Fagin
June 3, 2005


Quick Facts
Location: Marrowstone Island
Land Agency: Washington State Parks
Roundtrip: To Marrowstone Point: 4.0 miles. Fort Flagler Loop: 5.0 miles
Cumulative Elevation gain: 10 feet. For loop: 100 feet
Access: From Port Hadlock, head 11 miles northeast on SR 116 to Fort Flagler State Park. Enter park and at first intersection, turn left. Follow this road to its end at a boat launch, concession stand and picnic area. Hike begins on the beach at the north boat launch.
Notes: Day use fee required ($5 per car or $50 annual pass good for all Washington state parks). Dogs permitted but must be on a leash.

History is full of irony. The story of how some of our most beloved state parks came to be doesn’t escape it. Originally established to protect Puget Sound from foreign invaders were five grand military installations; Forts Ebey, Casey, Worden, Flagler, and Townsend. Fortunately for us, they never saw combat. Luckily for us too, that in their decommissioning, the powers that be saw that the quintet of military posts still had much to defend.
The five forts were converted to state parks, protecting over 2,300 acres and 9 miles of prime Puget Sound coastline. Fort Flagler, on the northern tip of Marrowstone Island is the largest, at 780 acres and containing over 3.5 miles of shoreline. Complementing its extensive coastline are hundreds of acres of mature forest and scores of historic buildings and structures. An Environmental Learning Center, hostel, and two well-designed campgrounds invite extensive stays. But if it’s hiking that you seek, Flagler contains over 7 miles of trail in addition to its coveted coastline of walkable beaches.
To sample the park’s hiking terrain, begin by taking to the beach near the Lower Campground. Now head east, enjoying grand views of Port Townsend across Port Townsend Bay. Admire the chalky bluffs of Whidbey Island off in the distance. An impressive fortress of bluffs soon begins to tower right above you as well. Gaze up at the tall trees that adorn them. Chances are that a bald eagle or two will be peering right down at you. Round Marrowstone Point and enjoy a knock-out view of Admiralty Inlet.
Retrace your steps back to your vehicle, or to do the park loop, continue hiking along wide sandy beaches to the old weather-battered pier. Now it’s time to sample Flagler’s interior. Find the trail that leads from the beach to the Battery Wansboro perched high on the bluff. Now through a series of short trails, work your way back to your start. Follow the Lagoon Trail to the East Searchlight Trail to the Anti-Aircraft Battery Trail to the Bankhead Trail. En route you’ll pass historic structures, and pass through quiet groves of fir, cedar, maple and alder. It’s quite peaceful. Ironic, considering that all this land was set aside for war.