Maury Island Marine Park (Ferry to Vashon Island is required)

-We will meet at the parking are nearest the Pierce Transit bus stop at the Pt. Defiance ferry dock at 9:30 to form voluntary carpools.
-We will take the cars onto the 10:05 ferry sailing to Vashon Island.
-Cost of ferry is $23.20 for vehicle and driver and $3.10 - $6.75 per passenger.
-additionally share the cost of gas and wear and tear on vehicle: suggestion $5 per passenger.
-Once off the ferry, we will drive 20 minutes to the trailhead parking located at SW 244th St, Vashon, WA 98070

The Park:
Maury Island Marine Park is located on the east side of Maury Island, a peninsula of Vashon Island. One of the largest undeveloped properties located directly on Puget Sound with more than 1 mile of shoreline, the park provides stunning views of the East Passage, Mount Rainier and the Cascade Mountains. The site had significance for early Native Americans and is referenced in a legend about Snake People who arrived from the mainland as part of war party.
The park contains rare stands of Pacific Madrone, a salt marsh, eelgrass beds and significant fish and wildlife habitat for such species as great blue herons, bald eagles, kingfishers, chinook salmon, orca, and bull trout.
-gradual 3/4 mile (paved and gravel) to the beach
-500 ft .decline to the beach and 500 ft. incline back to vehicles.
-option to climb to view point or explore the beach.
-back to vehicles at 1 to catch ferry back to Tacoma.
-return on 2:10 ferry (no additional cost)
-mostly exposed to the sun

What to bring:
- sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses)
- water
- lunch/snacks
- binocular (orcas have been spotted near this area in the past)
- No parking pass is required.