Yes, spend the night 5 MILES out to sea, in the Strait of San Juan de Fuca.

By law, there is no camping in the refuge, but there is a volunteers’ apartment attached to the lighthouse (details below). Make arrangements in advance to stay in the apartment. Let the volunteer coordinator know how many, how old, and how fit your boys are. (S)he’ll arrange a project that suits them. The lighthouse keepers are volunteers for the week. Plan to spend some time with them. They’re fascinating, from Bill and his wife who have toured almost 700 lighthouses world-wide to retired Coast Guard officer, JP, who is simply wonderful with teens.

Volunteers can either hike out the 5.5 miles or be ferried in the Lighthouse Society’s 4×4. Transportation is arranged around the tide charts. It’s possible to hike out during high tide, but not recommended. Navigating over rocks and driftwood logs can be pretty miserable; on the other hand, the hike on hard-packed sand is quite nice.

In addition to the service project, you might consider one of the following:

* 5 Mile Hike (2nd Class) – It’s 5.5 miles to the lighthouse (.5 miles to the trailhead, and 5 miles out to sea). At low tide, it’s an easy hike. At high tide, not so fun.
* Flag ceremony (also 2nd Class) – Every morning and evening, there is a simple flag ceremony at the Lighthouse. You’ll also likely be able to complete the 2nd Class requirement for the ten native animals.
* Astronomy – Work on some of the requirements here. If you’re being ferried, bring a good telescope. The sky (when it’s clear) is simply AMAZING.
* Bird Study – Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge is an Audubon “Important Bird Area” with an incredible number of species either residing here or using it as a migratory stop.
* Nature – You can get a good start on this badge while at the Lighthouse, or on your way.
* Photography – This is an excellent place to do a topical shoot.
* Hiking – Hike back and extend another 4 miles to complete one of the hikes.
* Citizenship in the Nation – New Dungeness Lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Take a tour of their museum and learn all about it.

The volunteers’ apartment has two bedrooms upstairs: the first is small, with two twin beds (complete with electric blankets) and floor space for 3-4 more Scouts. The second is a very large bedroom with a comfortable queen bed and floor space for 6-8 more Scouts. There is a twin bed in an alcove at the top of the stairs, a perfect spot for an adult. Downstairs is a dining room, full kitchen, and a small living room with two comfortable recliners. There are two air mattresses that could be placed downstairs to accommodate more adults. Bathrooms are available on both floors; the upstairs bath is large and has a shower. Bring your own bedding.

Crew 42’s hike report for Dungeness Spit
220’s hike report
Brad’s hike report

Dungeness Spit - I wouldn’t recommend this hike because it’s blazing hot at noon, and freezing cold at 4:00; and windy ALL the time. The trail was flat. It wasn’t difficult; the only problem was the weather.

See Crew 42’s Dungeness Spit report.
See 220’s Dungeness Spit report.

Lake Wynoochee – I wouldn’t recommend this hike because it felt like it almost never stopped raining. The trail was rough, and we had to move a tree. Colin ripped two ponchos; I wore a windbreaker. The trail was ten miles.

Green Mountain Summit from Wildcat Trail (ten miles) – The Wildcat Trail is a hike I would recommend. The weather was perfect. The trail was straight-forward. The downside was that I took too big of a pack.

Staircase – I would absolutely recommend this ten mile hike. The trail was a little rough, and the weather was cold.

Lower Lena Lake – This 6-mile trail was a side hike to build endurance.

Mt. Townsend (ten miles) – We hiked this on 07/25/10. We had a fun and sweaty time. The view was beautiful. We saw Mt. Baker, Glacier, Rainier, St. Helens, Adams, Crescent Glacier, and Mt. Townsend. We gained 3400′ of elevation. It took us six hours to get to the top. There were a lot of dogs on the trail. When we got back to the car, there were seventy hikers going up the trail. I would recommend this hike!

The weather and scenery couldn’t have cooperated any better. Within minutes, we were already beginning to strip off layers of jackets and vests as we walked the Spit. Even the tides were on our side, so that we could mostly walk directly on the beach rather than scamper across the rocks and driftwood. Dungeness is the longest natural sand spit in the United States, and juts out 5.5 miles from the Olympic Peninsula and ends at the Dungeness Light, once a manned Coast Guard station that’s now automated and has volunteer guides who live in the old Lighthouse Keeper’s house for a week at a time, year round. There’s a beautiful grass lawn and a fresh water well at the Light. After lunch and a climb up to the top of the Light, we loaded up and hiked back. It was a little over 11 miles round trip, with Dante taking “honors” (if you want to call it that) for hefting the heaviest pack at over 60 pounds. Please don’t ask what he was carrying, but we can all testify that it was natural, organic materials. Staying hydrated was important, as well as making sure our packs fit well and shoes and feet were cared for. Everyone changed out at least their sock liners once we reached the Light, and relaxed our bare feet on the grass while eating lunch and watching the ships sail by on the Strait. It was truly a day to take in the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

As reported by Crew 1042. Used with permission. Are you interested in an active Venture Crew (for young men and women 14-20) in the Silverdale area? Contact Crew 42 for information.

Where: Dungeness Spit (To get there, cross the Hood Canal bridge, take Hwy 101 to the extreme west end of Sequim, turn right on Kitchen-Dick road, follow the signs.)

Distance: 11 miles – 5 miles to the lighthouse, 5 miles back, plus 1/2 mile to/from the parking lot to the trailhead.

Weather: Overcast, but beautiful.

Level: Medium – Easy (4/9)

What was the most fun?
Running through the sand on the way there.
Hiking there.
The beach
Probably going up to the top of the lighthouse because you could see for miles. It was really enjoyable, and gave you a sense of satisfaction after the hike out there.
Hiking in bear feet.
Being up in the Lighthouse

What we did:
Hiked.
Took a tour of the lighthouse.
Talked about and practiced Leave No Trace.
Spent half an hour talking to the ranger about the Preserve.
Learned about the history of the lighthouse.
Walked
Took a horse trail on the way back.
Zach made Jordon do Orienteering on the whole 5 1/2 miles back.
We got to have fun with some of the kelp.
Got to observe a lot of different types of rocks.
We got to see a lot of seals and have fun playing with them.
Walked out on the spit, and sat on driftwood

The most challenging thing:
The 1/2 mile UPhill to the parking lot on the way back.
The walk back.
The trek home.
Nothing

Water Source:
None on the trail, but there is an artesian well at the lighthouse with good water.
Pump at the lighthouse.
Water bottles.

What we saw:
Seals
Driftwood
Lighthouse
Loons
Cormorants
Seagulls
Bull Kelp
Beautiful rocks
Jade
Giant Dungeness Crab shells
Heron
Water
Victoria, B.C.
ATV
Seaweed whips

What I brought:
Water
Ten essentials
Lunch
As little as possible!
GPS

What we learned:
Dungeness Spit is the longest spit in the world.
I needed more water.
Soft, dry sand is harder to walk on than wet sand. Driftwood and rocks are harder to walk on than sand.
Make every effort you can to hike on an overcast (but not rainy) day.
Easy hikes are fun

Suggestions for other people doing this hike:
Check the tide tables here before you go. They’ll tell you the best days for hiking.
Do this one even on your own. It’s worth it.
Wear a good windbreaker.
Watch the tide.

Conclusion:
It was very fun!
This is a fantastic hike! Absolutely beautiful.
It was much easier hiking at low tide.
It didn’t feel like five miles on the way there; but it sure did on the way back.
A very good hike I would suggest to anyone, including beginners.
It was a good hike.

Adult Note: The lighthouse tour is staffed by volunteers. Bring a couple of bucks for donation if you can. $3 per family fee for the County Park. There is a bathroom at the lighthouse.