Location & Directions
Vashon-Maury Island is located in the middle of southern Puget Sound, midway between Seattle and Tacoma, within the boundaries of King County. The island is approximately 13 miles long by 8 miles at the widest point.
TRAVEL INFORMATION:
General Info, arrival times, overnight resources
Please plan to arrive at the Dolstad Farm between 3 PM and 5 PM on Saturday, July 17. You will have to negotiate a ferry to Vashon Island from either Tacoma (Pt. Defiance) or West Seattle (Fauntleroy) or from the Kitsap Peninsula (Southworth). Southworth and Fauntleroy ferries arrive at the same terminal on the north end of Vashon Island. To avoid the commuter rush, you may wish to arrive earlier on Vashon and explore the island a bit before arriving at the camp. If you want to arrive a day or so earlier to explore the island, camping is available at the Vashon Hostel (where we met in 2007). The Hostel is located about a mile and 1/4 south of the Dolstad Farm. Feel free to make your own arrangements by calling the Hostel (206-463-2592).
On Tuesday at the Farm, an evening meal will be served at about 6:00 PM.
TRAVEL FROM I-5, INCLUDING THOSE COMING FROM THE EAST ON I-90.
These directions will take you to the north end of Vashon Island. (This group includes everyone NORTH of Tacoma on the EAST side of Puget Sound) Destination: Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal (West Seattle)
Coming from the north on I-5 (Canada AND including those of you arriving from Eastern Washington on I-90 who will want to get off I-90 onto I-5 SOUTHBOUND and move immediately into a right-hand lane), exit onto the Spokane Street/West Seattle Freeway (exit 163A).
Coming from the south on I-5, Exit # 163. Head west on Spokane street. Spokane Street crosses the Duwamish River (high bridge). Stay on Spokane Street until it becomes Fauntleroy Avenue (bear into a left hand lane after the first stop light - intersection of Fauntleroy and 35th). Follow Fauntleroy all the way to the Vashon Island/Southworth Ferry Terminal. Vashon Island and Kitsap Peninsula bound ferry traffic lines up along the curb (on Fauntleroy Ave.) and it can get a bit confusing because the line often starts as much as a half mile from the terminal and has several breaks in it for driveways and bus stops. Look for cars with drivers in them parked along Lincoln Park. People can get rather Jackalish if they perceive you as "cutting" so keep those Giraffe ears on tight!
There are ferry fares, . (http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/fares/) Car and Driver is $18.50. Passenger tickets are $4.30. Ferry schedule link: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/schedules/current/
Once on the Island, head up the hill with the main flow of vehicles and STAY ON VASHON HIGHWAY SW all the way to COVE ROAD. (About 10- 15 minutes of travel) Travel clues: Look for the HOSTEL sign on the right hand side (west) of the main highway. If you get into the town of Vashon, you've gone too far. Ask a native for directions, they're friendly. Many of them don't know the street numbers though so be prepared to hear about landmarks....
Once on Cove Rd., head west for about 1.5 miles. Turn RIGHT (north) At 121st. Follow 121st to WESTSIDE HIGHWAY. Continue north (yes, you've made a big U-turn and you're headed back toward the ferry. Crazy huh?) Once on Westside Hwy, travel about 0.7 and turn RIGHT (east) on 148th. Go up the hill about 500 feet and turn LEFT into the driveway. We'll have signs out for you to mark the correct driveway.
TRAVEL FROM KITSAP PENINSULA
Hwy 101 to Highway 16. Exit 16 on Sedgewick Road. Follow all the way to the SOUTHWORTH ferry terminal. Arrive at least 5 minutes before ferry departure or the ferry workers won't load you for reasons that are not entirely clear to me.
Once on the Island, follow the directions given to the people coming from Fauntleroy (W. Seattle) as they are the same.
TRAVEL FROM TACOMA (PT. DEFIANCE FERRY TERMINAL)
Directions to Point Defiance Terminal
From north or south I-5: Take exit 132 (Hwy 16). Proceed west on Hwy 16 approximately 3 miles and exit on the 6th Avenue exit (signed Vashon Ferry). Turn left (west) onto 6th Avenue at the stop light. Turn right (north) at the next stop light onto Hwy 163 (Pearl Street). Proceed north, approximately 3.5 miles, to the stop sign at the entrance to Pt. Defiance Park. Stay in the right lane and bear to the right. Do not enter the park. Auto toll booth is one block ahead. Ferry terminal is located at end of street.
Once on Vashon Island, follow traffic up hill on Vashon Highway SW. Go through (count 'em) 4, four-way stops. The fourth one is the town of Vashon. Continue north about a mile and TURN LEFT (west) ONTO COVE ROAD. Once on Cove Rd., head west for about 1.5 miles. Turn RIGHT (north) At 121st. Follow 121st to WESTSIDE HIGHWAY. Continue north (yes, you've made a big U-turn and you're headed back toward the ferry. Crazy huh?) Once on Westside Hwy, travel about 0.7 and turn RIGHT (east) on 148th. Go up the hill about 500 feet and turn LEFT into the driveway. We'll have signs out for you to mark the correct driveway.