Gather And Go Friends Group

Deception pass + tide/whirl pool seeing thanksgiving weekend trip

Wed, Nov 25 · 5:00 PM PST

Location not specified yet

## Description

Imagine spending Thanksgiving weekend tucked away in a cozy cabin, surrounded by the dramatic cliffs, old-growth forests, and crashing waves of Washington's most visited state park. Welcome to Deception Pass State Park — a 4,134-acre gem spanning Fidalgo and Whidbey Islands, connected by one of the most iconic bridges in the Pacific Northwest.
This trip combines wild shellfish foraging at Long Point, nighttime tide pooling, whirlpool watching from the bridge, Thanksgiving dinner cooked together at the cabin, a full day exploring southern Whidbey Island, and some of the best coastal hiking in the Pacific Northwest. Are you ready to spend Thanksgiving the right way? 🌊

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## Itinerary

1. Wednesday 11/25, 5:30PM — Leave Seattle
2. Wednesday 11/25, ~6:15PM — 🚢 Mukilteo-Clinton ferry (~20 min crossing)
3. Wednesday 11/25, ~7:00PM — 🍽️ Dinner at Saltwater Fish House & Oyster Bar in Langley (closes 8:30PM — arrive by 7PM)
4. Wednesday 11/25, ~8:30PM — Drive north to Long Point (~45 min) and 🦪 forage mussels and dig clams 8:30–10:00PM (see Shellfish Harvesting section below)
5. Wednesday 11/25, ~10:00PM — Drive north to Deception Pass cabin (~30 min), drop bags and store shellfish
6. Wednesday 11/25, ~10:45PM — 🌊 Head to North Beach for tide pooling — low tide hits 11:36 PM (-3.84ft), deepest of the trip
7. Thursday 11/26, 9:00AM — 🥾 Goose Rock Trail via North Beach (4.3 miles)
8. Thursday 11/26, 12:00PM — Walk the Deception Pass Bridge in daylight
9. Thursday 11/26, 2:00PM — 🦃 Cook Thanksgiving dinner at the outdoor fire pit/grate — fresh mussels and clams as a seafood course! Relax by the fire after
10. Friday 11/27, 9:00AM — 🥾 Lighthouse Point & Rosario Head Trail (4.9 miles)
11. Friday 11/27, 12:00PM — Drive south toward Coupeville (~30 min) and stop at 🎨 Price Sculpture Forest at 12:45PM — free 1-hour forest sculpture walk with AR component. Download the app before you go!
12. Friday 11/27, 2:00PM — 🥾 Ebey's Landing Bluff Trail (~5 miles)
13. Friday 11/27, 5:30PM — 🌮 Dinner at Molka Xete in Coupeville (closes 7PM)
14. Friday 11/27, ~7:00PM — Drive back to cabin
15. Friday 11/27, ~10:00PM — 🌀 Deception Pass Bridge — whirlpool watching at peak ebb current. Low tide hits 12:24 AM (-3.67ft) — head to the bridge ~2 hours before for the most dramatic churning
16. Saturday 11/28, 9:00AM — Explore Fort Ebey State Park — WWII bunkers and beach trail
17. Saturday 11/28, 11:00AM — Cranberry Lake Trail and Sand Dunes Interpretive Loop (2.8 miles)
18. Saturday 11/28, 2:00PM — Free time — Anacortes, coffee, or relax at cabin
19. Saturday 11/28, Evening — Final cabin dinner together
20. Sunday 11/29, 9:00AM — Last morning walk, pack up, head home

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## 🦪 Shellfish Harvesting

Location We will harvest at Long Point, Whidbey Island. Open year-round for clams, mussels, and oysters per WDFW.
Long Point — WDFW Beach Page
Directions to Long Point From Hwy 20, take a left on Parker Rd., after 1 mile take a right onto Portal Place Rd., bear left on Marine Drive, follow to the end of the road and park on the shoulder. Parking for up to 8 vehicles. No restrooms.
⚠️ Long Point West is closed year-round — DOH has determined shellfish from that portion are not safe for human consumption at any time. Harvest east of Long Point proper only. Do not cross private property at the end of Reeder Road.
Regulations We can harvest up to 10 lbs of mussels per person and everyone must have a shellfish license.
Shellfish/Seaweed Species Rules — Washington Fishing | eRegulations
How to Harvest Mussels Follow this link: How to Harvest Mussels (YouTube)

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## Wildlife Watching

November is excellent for bald eagles, harbor seals, and migrating waterfowl. The Deception Pass Bridge, North Beach, and Cranberry Lake are all prime spots. Binoculars are highly recommended.

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## Equipment

Cabin

1. Sleeping bag or bedding (bring your own — not provided)
2. Pillow and toiletries
3. Trash bags
4. Portable charger
5. Cooking equipment and utensils
6. Thanksgiving groceries — coordinate with the group before arrival
7. Butter, garlic, and white wine or broth for cooking shellfish
8. Lighter/matches for the fire pit

Hiking & Tide Pooling

1. Headlamp (essential — sunset is ~4:15PM)
2. Waterproof hiking boots with grippy soles
3. Rain jacket and windbreaker
4. Warm layers — upper 30s to low 50s°F
5. Hat with a chinstrap (bridge wind is serious)
6. Binoculars
7. Water bottle and snacks
8. Trekking poles (optional)

Shellfish Harvesting

1. Shellfish License — required for every harvester, buy in advance
2. Bucket or mesh bag — one per person (each harvester needs a separate container)
3. Gloves (highly recommended) and/or small crowbar for prying mussels (highly recommended)
4. Sturdy waterproof shoes
5. Long pants
6. Host will bring a scale for everyone
7. Clam shovel or hand trowel (optional, for clam diggers)

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## Park Pass

A Discover Pass is required for parking ($10/day or $30/annual). If staying in a park cabin, parking may be included — confirm with your reservation.

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## Cost and Refund

Cost is $150

Full refunds available by 11/10. After that, 50% refund only if someone can take your spot.

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## Payment Methods

Make sure payment is set to friends/family

• Zelle
• Paypal
• Venmo
• CashApp

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## Communication

WhatsApp Group

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## Signup Form

forms.gle

Deception pass camp trip with optional frogging, crawfishing, clamming

Sat, Aug 7, 2027 · 7:00 PM PDT

Location not specified yet

Description
Embark on an exhilarating adventure that combines the thrill of wildlife encounters with the serene beauty of nature. Your journey begins at the Whidbey Island, a breathtaking destination known for its stunning landscapes, rugged cliffs, and picturesque views of the Puget Sound. As you hike through the park's diverse trails, you'll be captivated by the lush forests, vibrant wildflowers, and the majestic Deception Pass Bridge.
But the excitement doesn't end there. This trip offers a unique opportunity to experience the local wildlife up close. Imagine the thrill of catching crawfish in the park's pristine waters, where these freshwater crustaceans thrive. With expert guidance, you'll learn the best techniques for catching crawfish and enjoy the satisfaction of a successful haul.
Next, venture into the wetlands and ponds to encounter bullfrogs, known for their distinctive calls and impressive size. Whether you're observing them in their natural habitat or trying your hand at catching them, the experience is sure to be memorable.
The adventure continues with mussel foraging along the rocky shores. Discover the joy of collecting these delicious shellfish, which are abundant in the park's tidal zones. With the guidance of knowledgeable experts, you'll learn to identify and gather mussels safely and sustainably.
As the day winds down, set up camp in one of the park's scenic camping areas. Enjoy the tranquility of the great outdoors, surrounded by the beauty of Deception Pass State Park. Share stories around the campfire, savor the fresh catch of the day, and immerse yourself in the peaceful ambiance of nature.
This hiking and camping trip to Whidbey Island, combined with crawfish catching, bullfrog encounters, and mussel foraging, promises an unforgettable experience that blends adventure, relaxation, and the wonders of wildlife. Are you ready to embark on this captivating journey?

People who don't want to forage anything.
This trip will include visiting deception pass state park plus an optional component of crawfishing, bullfrogging, clamming, and crabbing.
Priority of spots will be given to those who are crawfishing, bullfrogging, clamming, and crabbing. People who don't want to do any of that but are still interested should dm me to add to a waitlist. If spots remain open I will give them to those who joined the waitlist earlier.

Itinerary:

1. Friday 6:00 PM Drive to Deception Pass Camp
2. Friday: For people who arrive early Friday, start grilling food or bullfrogging. If you arrive before sunset you can also set crawfish traps
3. Saturday 8AM: Set Crawfish traps or forage for mussels/clams or go hike
4. Saturday 12PM: Eat Lunch. Eat harvested lunch or something else
5. Saturday 1PM: Stay at camp or go hike at Deception Pass State Park
6. Saturday 6PM: Cook up harvested food for the night.
7. Saturday 8PM: Go bullfrogging
8. Sunday 8AM: Eat Breakfast and pack out of camp
9. Sunday 1PM: Hike, harvest shellfish, or go home

Equipment to bring

1. Headlamp
2. Cooking ingredients
3. Cooking equipment. There are grills at camp but usually people bring their own.
4. Food to share
5. Camping gear
6. (Optional) Clamming or Mussel equipment
7. (Optional) Bullfrogging equipment
8. (Optional) Crawfishing equipment
9. Things you want to bring to camp

Payment methods:
Make sure payment is for friends/family

• Zelle
• Paypal
• Venmo
• CashApp

Cost and Refund:
Cost is $75 for a tent spot and you can share the cost of the tent by sharing tent. For example costs are 37.5 if shared by 2 people. Only payment guarantees a spot. Full refund if you cancel before 8/22. Afterwards only 50% refund if you can find a replacement and no refund if you can't.

Gas and Food Costs and Sharing
Gas costs is negotiated within each car group ahead of the drive. Everyone should bring food and split costs for additional food bought. I encourage people to share part of each of our harvest as part of our communal experience.

License
You will need to buy an annual shellfish license or a temporary combination license. Only bullfrog doesn't need License

Harvest Times for Mussels and Clams
Low tide on 9/6-9/7 can be found here. It's Saturday and Sunday morning. We will go to West Penn Cove or Long Point

Carpool:
Please discuss carpools and other topics in whatsapp.

Signup Form:
This signup form is required