Washington State Route 116

On Saturday, June 25, 2011, I drove the length of Washington State Route 116 -- off the mainland and onto the islands.

RCW 47.17.219
State route No. 116:

A state highway to be known as state route number 116 is established as follows:

Beginning at a junction with state route number 19 in the vicinity of Irondale, thence easterly and northerly to Fort Flagler state park.

In the Chimacum Valley on the Quimper Peninsula, our glorious Highway 116 begins. We say goodbye to SR 19 and head east toward Hadlock.



After a left turn to stay on the state highway, we fly high on a bridge over Portage Canal onto Indian Island. Indian Island is not too friendly a place. For the entire width of the island, the north side of the highway is guarded by a concertina-wired fence. The Navy says, "Stay out." Instead, look out over Oak Bay to the south. Much nicer. After a short causeway beside Isthmus Beach, we’re welcomed to Marrowstone Island. The highway turns north (but the signs say "east," of course). People live here. This is the halfway point on SR 116.



See the mudflats of Mystery Bay. See the Nordland general store. See the farms and houses. See the gate to Fort Flagler State Park. We’re at the end of Highway 116. I think it's time to find a place for the night.

SR 116: short but sweet.