Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
A Walk to Dungeness Spit
Did you know that Sequim is home to the longest natural sand spit in the U.S. and one of the longest in the world? Neither did I! Until we stopped at Dungeness Spit on our recent trip to Olympic National Park. Better late than never!
It was a misty summer morning as we made our way through the woods.
The trail was quiet and dreamy, especially with the accent of color from flowering shrubs. I could have sat there forever and pondered the beauty of nature.
Instead we continued to the bluff where we got our first view of the Spit below,
then followed the trail down.
Dungeness Spit was created roughly 10,000 years ago when melting glaciers left thick deposits of sand and gravel along the coastline here. Extending over 5 miles into the Straight of Juan de Fuca, the New Dungeness Lighthouse (no there never was an old one) has been operating on its tip since 1857.
Perhaps someday we’ll make the hike to the lighthouse. Then again, maybe not. 😉
Either way, we’ll be back.
~ Susanne
Did you know that Dungeness is also a famous place in England? It is on the south coast, in the county of Kent.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dungeness
I can only imagine that early settlers named your one after that place.
Best wishes, Pete.
Hi Pete. Yes, I learned about it when I was researching the area for my post. Though discovered by a Spanish explorer in 1790, it was Vancouver who called it Dungeness.
Here’s what a local history site says, “Captain George Vancouver (1758-1798) of the British Navy named this area New Dungeness on April 30, 1792, because he thought this low sandy point of land resembled Dungeness, a low promontory that lies at the southernmost point of Kent in the Straits of Dover.”
Stunning indeed.
Thanks so much! 🙂
It’s worth going to the end, though the hike on the sand can be hard going. Lovely place though. Lots of birds and great views if the weather’s decent. I’m glad you enjoyed your visit.
Thanks. It was great to finally see the Spit. I’d like to go back again and spend more time.
Terrific photos and what a great day hike that would be!
Thanks so much John! It was fun to finally see the Spit and it would be great to hike to the Lighthouse if the conditions were right.
I can’t remember the last time I walked 10 miles, but it would be fun to try! 🙂
The feeling that comes through your forested photos is so thick with humidity, peaceful, and comforting. Thank you.
Thank you. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. The walk through the woods was as wonderful as actually seeing the Spit.
It was all good, but I’m more of a forest person than a beach person, so the woods spoke to me more powerfully.
🙂 🙂
I never knew there was such a thing as a sand spit! Also is that where they get Dungeness crab from?
Yes I believe Dungeness crab got their name from this area where the first commercial fishery was established in 1848. Crab fising is very popular in the Pacific NW.