On one of the warmest days of the summer, there’s a slight chill in the air.

A gentle sea breeze passing over the waters of Cornet Bay is acting like nature’s air conditioner, teaming up with shade from tall firs on each side of the road to provide an escape from the heat.

The first time I set foot on this road on the perimeter of Hoypus Point Forest, it was part of a First Day Hike on an icy New Year’s Day morning, part of a tradition at Deception Pass State Park and other state parks.

Returning last week on a day that would reach well into 70s in Oak Harbor, the air was still cool, though this time it was welcome.

Hoypus Point Forest is a part of Deception Pass State Park that is much less traveled.

It’s a lonely part of Washington’s most visited state park, struggling to lure visitors away from more popular hiking destinations closer to the bridge and other attractions.

The very fact that it is located on the east side of State Highway 20 opposite the park’s welcome station is another obstacle.

“A lot of people don’t even know Cornet Bay exists,” park manager Jack Hartt said.

Boaters do.

The boat launch and pier at Cornet Bay are often abuzz with activity from crabbers to fishers, while the forests and trails that surround them are mostly still and quiet.

The beauty of Hoypus Point Forest is the diversity of hiking options, ranging from an easy stroll along a flat paved road along the water to more challenging climbs on narrow dirt paths up steep hills.

Hoypus Point Forest is essentially made up of two sections. The northern half is regarded as the Hoypus Point Natural Forest Area, one of the largest remaining old-growth forests that remains in Washington. It is a hiker-only part of the forest that features water views from the perimeter and the eerie still of the woods in the interior.

The southern half of the forest is broadly referred to as Hoypus Hill, which also is heavily forested and contains other ecosystems such as a bog that attracts the common Pacific Tree Frog and the more uncommon Western Toad. Bike riders and horses are allowed in this part of the forest, which also includes former logging roads.

Hartt’s favorite place to go at Hoypus Point is the journey to the point itself.

It’s a rather simple path to travel — a one-mile walk along a paved road with three benches along the way that offer remarkable views to the west of the Deception Pass bridge and Mount Erie.

The path offers easy access. Cornet Bay Road dead ends at the spacious parking lot by the boat launch next to the path entrance. Since you’re in the state park, a Discover Pass is required.

The road also represents a trip back in time. It once served as the road that led to the former ferry landing where the Deception Pass Ferry Company provided service between Hoypus Point and Yokeko Point on Fidalgo Island, starting anywhere between 1918 and 1920, according to local historians.

That all ended when the bridge was completed in 1935.

The shaded shoreline hike ends at a beach at the site of the former ferry landing. A cement support still stands just offshore.

On a clear day, Mount Baker is ever-present to the north.

Many hikers will use this old road as a starting point to enter the woods through a dirt trail, which is located about a third of a mile from where the road begins.

The dirt trail will start climbing in elevation quickly and will lead to a network of trails that takes one deeper into the forest.

On two other trips into the woods at the Hoypus Point Forest this year, I made the mistake of not bringing a map that is sold for $2 at the welcome station at Deception Pass State Park.

Don’t make that mistake.

It can be easy to get lost in the nearly 1,300 acres of woods, particularly near Hoypus Hill. Main trails often lead to side trails that are less groomed and filled with low-lying stinging nettles. Long pants are strongly advised.

Occasionally an aircraft from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island will rumble in the distance, but mostly the time spent in the woods offers an eerie stillness under a canopy of trees.

Shortly after I turned on to the West Hoypus Point Trail, two chipmunks chased each other along a fallen log. The chipmunks chattered in what seemed like surround sound from both sides of the trail while a woodpecker knocked on a tall snag as if it was a visitor at the front door.

At least one of the chipmunks seemed overly curious about the visitor on the trail.

After all, it’s not everyday the little guy sees one.