Park and Trails Guide - 2019 PARKS AND TRAILS

S A N

J U A N I S L A N D S

2019

PARKS &

TRAILS G U I D E

A supplement to the Islands' Sounder, Islands' Weekly and Journal of the San Juan Islands

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2019 Parks & Trails Guide

Hiking over hills and through meadows and green forests Do not miss Watmough Bay. Head 10.9 miles south of Lopez Village to find this enchanting gem. It short walk to this sandy beach shrouded by high stone walls. Take a picnic and afterwards explore the nearby hikes that will take you deep into the heart of the forest. The trail is 1.6 miles long with 439 feet of elevation gain.

Orcas

Within just a 15-minute drive from Eastsound you can find yourself surrounded by old-growth forest and babbling brooks at the Mountain Lake Trailhead. This 3.45-mile trail loop in Moran State Park is a moderate walk through a heavily canopied forest around a sparkling lake with 50-feet of elevation gain.

There is plenty to see here at sea level with outcrops of mossy rocks, fresh water and lush vegetation. You will find beauty and tranquility on this trail.

San Juan

Mount Young takes you up a short, but steep hill adorned with golden grasses. The Garry oaks grow abundantly here — their gnarled arms make each turn feel mystical. At the top, wipe your brow and enjoy the stunning vistas of many islands surrounded by the Salish Sea. Mount Young is 9 miles northwest of Friday Harbor. The trail is 2.2 miles, round-trip, with a 587-foot gain in elevation to a height of 665 feet.

Shaw

MANDI JOHNSON/STAFF PHOTO

By Cali Bagby The smell of rain-soaked cedar warming under the sun, deer grazing on lush meadows and shining waters dotted with craggy islands are just a few of my favorite images from island hikes. As an avid outdoors woman I have searched the islands for the best trails and now I want to share them with you.

Lopez

Head 1.8 miles south from the ferry landing at Shaw Island to the Shaw County Park and take your shoes off. This park offers a long sandy beach to dig your toes into. Take a stroll or sit and stare as the waves lap up against the shore.

If you need exercise bring your bike for a pedal around the island. And the least populated ferry-served island cars are also less abundant giving bicyclists a rarely found freedom of the roads.

Whichever island you choose, just make sure to take a day to enjoy the natural beauty of these fair isles.

Protect What We Love | Watch from Shore Our Southern Resident orca whales eat salmon; and salmon is in serious decline. As the orcas search for scarce food, their ability to find available salmon is severely limited by the noise in their waters. Motorized boats harass the orca whales to the point that they need 20% more food. The same boats, even at legal distances, can block over 90% of the orcas’ sonar, seriously impairing their ability to hunt. For the orca whales, their echo-location is an all-encompassing sense; it is how they find food, communicate with one another, protect their young, stay safe together, and understand their own sensory experience of existence. Our “hearing” does not even come close. Understanding and respecting the complexity of their relationship to sound is essential if we are to save them from extinction. Watching the whales from shore respects their essential need for quiet in their own waters as they search for food, communicate with one another, and rest.

Photo: Donna S. Radcliffe / Lime Kiln State Park, San Juan Island

FOR ACCURATE AND USEFUL INFORMATION

• www.orcarelief.org • www.raincoast.org • www.biologicaldivertisty.org/species/mammals/ Puget_Sound_killer_whale/index.html

• • • •

Some of the Organizations in Support of a Whale Protection Zone: Center for Biological Diversity The Coalition to Protect Puget Sound Friends of the San Juans Marine Conservation Institute

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Ocean Alliance The Ocean Foundation Oceanic Preservation Society Orca Relief Citizens’ Alliance Patagonia Project SeaWolf Resources for Sustainable Communities Sea Shepherd Conservation Society Sonar Stand.Earth Whale and Dolphin Conservation Marine Mammal Commission Friends of the Earth Raincoast Conservation Foundation SeaDoc Society San Juan County Marine Resources Committee The Whale Trail

San Juan Islands, Washington

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Explore San Juan Island’s public trails

LOUISE DUSTRUDE/CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

A guided tour through American Camp.

By Louise Dustrude, Trails committee secretary A 19-year-old casual, ever-changing committee of San Juan Islanders interested in walking, biking or horseback riding has been meeting monthly to exchange ideas, arrange work parties and share information.

Created in December of 1999 by the San Juan Island Park and Recreation District, the committee includes up to 30 individuals who meet and discuss trail possibilities on the island. The committee has found allies in many places notably the San Juan County Land Bank and the San Juan Island National Historical Park, at San Juan County Public Works, the Town of Friday Harbor, the Port of Friday Harbor Airport and many private citizens and landowners.

There are now many miles of public trails on San Juan Island, including two long-distance trails. One is the 3-mile Barracks to Boats Trail connecting English Camp and Roche Harbor Resort. The other is the 6-mile American Camp Trail connecting Friday Harbor and the American Camp Visitor Center. Both have directional signs along the way and are of course open to all visitors.

The San Juan Island Trails Committee put those two trails together with the cooperation of many agencies and individuals. Meeting at the library at noon on the second Tuesday of most months, the group welcomes anyone with ideas

or suggestions or just enthusiasm or curiosity about trails.

The majority of island trails are just for walkers, but bicyclists and horse riders are also welcome on several, including primarily the Mitchell Hill portion of English Camp and the two Roche Harbor properties, one adjoining the resort and one adjoining Mitchell Hill. The Roche Harbor lands are privately owned but generously made available to the public.

Maps of all public trails on the island are available for print-out at sanjuanislandtrails.org, and printed copies can be found in map boxes at some trailheads and at the national park visitor centers.

The three categories of trail users share these trails with a minimum of conflict. Mountain bikes are asked to yield to all others, and all are asked to yield to horses.

Volunteers from the Trails Committee help the Land Bank and the National Park and others with trail creation and maintenance. The most recent are several trails on Mount Grant. Work parties are scheduled from time to time and announced via the Trails Committee’s email list.

Anyone who supports trails and would like to be on the mailing list may join by writing to sjitrails@rockisland.com. If you can help with maintenance, ideas, or are just generally supportive, you are welcome to join us.

Frequent Departures To: Roche Harbor • Lime Kiln State Park • SJ County Park • American Camp • English Camp Sculpture Park • Lakedale Resort • Alpaca Ranch • Vineyards • Lavender Farm • Snug Harbor Flag down the bus anywhere along the route, including the trail head at Mt. Young & Mt. Grant

Visit our website for more info on schedules, tips & tours • Weekends on Orcas, daily on San Juan 378-8887 • sjtransit@rockisland.com • SanJuanTransit.com • $15 DAY PASS / $5 ONE-WAY

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2019 Parks & Trails Guide

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2019 Parks & Trails Guide

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2019 Parks & Trails Guide

CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES OF PRIVATE LAND CONSERVATION IN THE SAN JUAN ISLANDS Protected Lands 2019

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forefront of private land conservation in the United States.

Together with its landowner partners and 3,000 member-supporters, the Preservation Trust has permanently protected more than 300 properties enr clai compassing Sin 18,000 acres on 20 islands, including 45 miles of shorelines and 27 miles of trails.

SJPT also engages its members V ndovand the wider public with events, outings, Ve and publications designed to deepen and expand awareness of the need for, Jack and benefits of, land conservation in the islands.

Just in time for our 40th Gbirthday, our board and staff—with lots of input ue me s from SJPT members and the wider community—recently completed a strategic planning process that will guide us into the next 40 years and beyond.

Cypress As part of this process, we adopted a new mission statement: The mission of the lgo San Juan Preservation Trust is to: Fida • Conserve the natural beauty, vital ecosystems, and unique character of the San Juan Islands for future generations; • Care for the lands and waters under our protection, with our partners; • Connect people to nature, to each other, and to the Preservation Trust.

We hope to connect with YOU as we pursue the three C’s of our new mission. For more on what we do and how to get involved, please go to: sjpt.org I T

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hanks to all our amazing supporters and partners over the years, the San Juan Preservation Trust (SJPT) celebrates its 40th birthday this year.

Concerned about rapid development in San Juan County (population rose a staggering 350 percent from 1960 to 1990) and resulting threats to McConnelll the islands’ natural beauty—coupled with Craneea lack of land-use planning in San Juan County—a group of citizens founded the Preservation Trust as a registered nonprofit organization in 1979.

The Preservation Trust’s founders and early supporters wanted to find ways for private landowners to conserve natural and historic features of their land voluntarily, independent of government approval or regulations.

Recent state legislation had made it possible for certified conservation organizations to hold conservation easements—legal documents that private landowners can use to voluntarily protect conservation values of their land r atu that benefit the public, such as open spaces, scenic views, working Dfarms, ec forests, and natural shoreline.

Preserva v tit on Tr va T ust Owned Lands To put this legislation to work in preserving these islands’ extraordinary Preserva va rv v tit on Tr T ust Conserv r ation Easements beauty and unique way of life, the San Juan Preservation Trust became the Other Tr T ust Protected Properties fi rst conservation land trust in the state of Washington. The Preservation Other Protected Properties Trust was at that time, and remains today, a pioneering organization at the

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THE PRESERVATION TRUST AND THE COUNTY LAND BANK Conservation Partners with a Difference

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f you’re a little hazy about the difference between the San Juan Preservation Trust and the San Juan County Land Bank, you’re not alone. While both organizations protect important natural areas within the islands, there are some clear differences between our missions and mandates.

The Land Bank is a public agency within the San Juan County government. Its work is funded mainly by revenues from a one-percent real estate excise tax (REET), which county voters first approved in 1990 and reauthorized in 1999 and 2011. More than 70 percent of the Land Bank’s protected lands are open to the public. As a government agency, the Land Bank is obliged to provide public access to its decision-making processes. Its acquisition and expenditure plans are subject to the County Council’s approval.

The Preservation Trust (that’s us!) is a private, nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization. Our work is funded by philanthropic donations from private sources, including individuals, families, foundations, and businesses. SJPT’s decision-making (led by a volunteer board of trustees) is not bound by public process, as is the Land Bank’s. As such, the Preservation Trust can act more quickly and flexibly than governmental agencies typically

MOUNT GRANT CELEBRATION ON SAN JUAN ISLAND/SJPT STAFF PHOTO

can when compelling conservation opportunities arise. As an apolitical organization, SJPT has minimal exposure to the changing winds of voter opinion and legislative agendas.

While there are fundamental differences between the Preservation Trust and the Land Bank, these differences have given rise to complementary strengths. The two organizations consult each other frequently, always seeking opportunities in which our combined strengths could result in a conservation victory that neither of us could pull off individually.

This spirit of collaboration has resulted in close

to 20 joint conservation projects since 1998, including some—such as Watmough Bay, Turtleback Mountain, Mount Grant, and Zylstra Lake—that both of us count among our “greatest hits.”

A pattern has emerged in these collaborative projects: Often, one organization assumes fee ownership of a preserve and manages it for public access (this is typically the Land Bank), while the other organization holds a conservation easement that protects the preserve in perpetuity (typically SJPT), thus creating a double layer of conservation assurance.

So vive la différence! Here’s to the differences, and to the shared values, that have made the Land Bank and the San Juan Preservation Trust so successful in protecting many of our islands’ most treasured places—both as individual organizations and as our islands’ dynamic duo of conservation.

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2019 Parks & Trails Guide

DOGS IN NATURE PRESERVES

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e’re all creatures of habit, and some of us are in the habit of taking our canine friends with us when we walk in nature preserves. We welcome well-behaved dogs in our preserves that are open to the public— but only when their owners are also well-behaved enough to keep them on leashes.

Preservation Trust preserves (like most public outdoor places, such as parks) are posted with signs that say this, often rather discreetly with icons like the one on the right. These icons are on posts, typically alongside other discreet icons with additional rules, such as “No littering,” “No fires,” and “No camping.”

Nearly all visitors to our preserves follow each rule—except for the one about dogs. Many dog owners seem to regard this as the one rule that’s made to be broken. We could post big “Leash your dog” signs every 20 feet along every trail, and still there would be violators.

So we thought we should try something different. We decided to break all the rules of sign-making and make one with lots of text on it explaining why we ask dog owners to leash and clean up after their pets.

Instead of issuing a command, these

signs make a polite request, with empathy and information to back it up.

We’ve put a few of the new signs up, and will be installing more over the summer. It’s too soon to say if they’re working better than the minimalist icons. Anecdotally, we heard about one previously leash-resistant person who showed up for a walk with friends last week with her dog harnessed and leashed. Asked why she’d abandoned her leash-spurning ways, she said that she’d read the sign. “Now I understand why it’s so important,” she said.

Now the dog-owner is welltrained, too.

GRAHAM Trail PRESERVE Guide Shaw Island

Land protected: 99 acres Hiking trails: 1.2 Trail difficulty: Easy Years of steady effort by Preservation Trust staff and several volunteer groups have resulted in two lovely, connected trails that meander through this 99-acre preserve near Shaw Island’s south shore. The main trail traverses the preserve north to south, from the parking lot at the Shaw Community Center (located at the intersection of Blind Bay and Squaw Bay Roads) to a bluff on Squaw Bay Road that overlooks Squaw Bay. A shorter section of trail connects the main trail with Shaw Island County Park, which abuts the preserve to the east, along Indian Cove.

An interpretive sign surrounds the trunk of a tree near the north trailhead. It tells the story of

Ernest and Beverly Graham, who bequeathed the preserve to the Preservation Trust in 2009.

Another panel on the sign welcomes visitors. It captures the charm of this small trail system in a nutshell: “No matter how many times you’ve walked the trail, there’s something new to discover. The changing seasons, the sweep of migrations, even the day-to-day and hour-to-hour shifts of weather and light reveal new connections within the natural world.”

Access: The Graham Preserve’s 1.2 miles of trails is easily accessed from the north entrance, adjacent to the parking lot of the Shaw Community Center at the intersection of Blind Bay Rd. and Squaw Bay Rd. The trail can also be accessed from the Shaw County Park east of the preserve.

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2019 Parks & Trails Guide

VENDOVI ISLAND PRESERVE Trail Guide Vendovi Island

Land protected: 217 acres Shoreline protected: 2.8 miles Hiking Trails: 1.9 Miles Trail Difficulty: Moderate This 217-acre island gem is small enough to explore in a day, but large enough to find a sense of solitude. Just under two miles of well-marked, interconnecting trails stitch together Vendovi’s tapestry of forests, meadows, and beaches. While you admire the sweeping vistas, take time to slow down and enjoy the close-up beauty, too.

Douglas-fir and maple forest cloaks most of Vendovi’s uplands. You may notice that the understory of this forest is particularly rich, with tall salal, Oregon boxwood, sword fern, and salmonberry.

This is, in large part, because deer are rare visitors to Vendovi Island.

On the island’s south-facing slopes, the forest is interspersed with rocky prairies.

In spring, these sunny openings sparkle with the colors of thousands of native wildflowers, including camas, paintbrush, and fawn lily.

Vendovi’s beaches—including aptly-named Sunrise Beach and Sunset Beach—offer endless scenic views and

fascinating intertidal life. These beaches are important resting areas for harbor seals; many give birth to their pups on the island. Please watch for seals when you visit a beach, and give them plenty of space.

Access: Vendovi Island is accessible by private boat, water taxi, and human-powered watercraft such as sea kayaks. There is a 70-foot dock protected by a breakwater in the north cove. Dock space is first-come, first served (please observe a three-hour time limit). All vessels, including skiffs and kayaks, must either dock or land on the beach in the north cove. No anchoring inside breakwater.

Several commercial water taxi companies based in Anacortes and Bellingham will make stops at Vendovi. Kayakers: Be aware of potentially rough crossings from both the southwest (Guemes Island) and the northeast (Bellingham Bay).

Vendovi Island Preserve is open for public visitation by boat each year from April 1 through September 30. During this seasonal period, the preserve is open Thursday through Monday from 10 am to 6 pm. The preserve is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

TURTLEHEAD PRESERVE Orcas Island Trail Guide (Accessed via Turtleback Mountain Preserve) Land protected: 141 acres Hiking Trails: 0.7 Miles (not including approx. 2.2 miles in Turtleback Mountain Preserve to reach the Turtlehead Preserve boundary) Trail Difficulty: Challenging Turtlehead Preserve encompasses the knobby headland that forms the turtle’s “head” at the northwest end of Turtleback Mountain. Standing atop its rocky, windswept half-dome, you’ll see raptors gliding on thermals and some of the most glorious views available in the San Juans. Getting there, while half the fun, is a challenging 5.7-mile round trip from Turtleback Mountain Preserve’s North Trail trailhead.

From the trailhead parking lot just off Crow Valley Road, an old logging road (now multiuse trail) meanders through mixed forest. At 1.6 miles, a sign identifies the trail spur to Waldron Overlook—well worth a short detour to take in the stunning view across President Channel to

Waldron’s Point Disney. Another sign at the trail junction points to the Turtlehead Preserve Trail, which goes another 1.3 miles along the turtle’s neck to the summit.

An interpretive sign near the top describes what you’ll find: “Coming out of forest onto the of Turtlehead is a dazzling experience. Layers of islands recede in the shimmering distance.

Dragonflies and eagles soar above. Rocky outcrops shelter miniature gardens of drought-tolerant wildflowers and lichens.”

Access: The closest trailhead to the Turtlehead Trail serves the North Trail of Turtleback Mountain Preserve. It’s just off Crow Valley Road (next to the old schoolhouse).

The Turtleback Trail can also be accessed from Turtleback’s South Trail (off of Deer Harbor Road), although the hike from this trailhead is more than twice as long. No overnight camping or fires are permitted.

Additional restrictions are posted on the trails.

San Juan Islands, Washington

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Camping in the San Juan Islands The San Juan Islands provide a plethora of beautiful places to pitch a tent and camp under the stars. You can sleep next to a bubbling brook, a crystal blue lake or even fall asleep listening to the waves gently lap upon the shore.

Every one of the San Juan Islands served by the ferry has beautiful campsites that are easily accessible and offer families a homebase for exploring the islands. All you need to do is decide on your favorite environment and make a reservation. If it’s a spot within a county park you’re hoping to reserve, visit sanjuanco.com/467/Reservations-Cancellations. To make a reservation at a state park, visit parks. state.wa.us/223/Reservations. Information about camping on the outer islands — those islands not served by the ferry — is also available at the above websites.

Lopez Island

• Odlin County Park – This rustic, family-friendly, 30-site campground is located right on the shoreline, alongside an expanse of lovely beach. It has toilets, water, a boat launch, a dock, a baseball field and a group picnic area (for reservations, call 360-378-8420).

• Spencer Spit State Park – This 138acre park provides 16 mooring buoys and 37 campsites, including group camps, at the north end of Lopez Island. Toilets, water, picnic areas and hiking trails are all within reach. There are also kayaks available to rent (to reserve, call 360-468-2251).

Moran State Park is a standout campground among the islands with 151 campsites. Five lakes, 30 miles of hiking trails, 11 miles of bike trails and 6 miles for horseback riding await the adventurous. The kids will enjoy the playground, as well as the scenic lookout from on top Mount Constitution.

Glamping is even an option for those less suited to the outdoors. Kayaks, Orcas Island • Moran State Park – With 5,252 canoes and paddle boats are available acres of beautifully forested land, for rent at the lake, and restrooms

Visiting Orcas Island?

Be sure to include the Library!

The Orcas Island Library offers: Visitor Cards to borrow books, movies, & music Free WiFi & Internet access Children’s programs Open: M-Th 10-7, F-Sa 10-5, Su 12-3 500 Rose Street, Eastsound, WA 98245 360-376-4985 www.orcaslibrary.org

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with showers are accessible (for more information, call 360-376-2326).

San Juan Island

• San Juan County Park – Located on the west side of the island, with a view across the Haro Strait and the Strait of Juan De Fuca all the way to Vancouver Island and beyond, is this county-owned park. Here, campers will find plenty of picnic areas, toilets, water, beaches and a boat launch.

With 20 campsites, reservations are

recommended from May-September (call 360-378-8420 to reserve).

Shaw Island

• Shaw Island County Park – Located along the shores looking out across Indian Cove on the southern edge of Shaw, this county park houses 11 campsites along or near to the longest sweep of sandy beach in the San Juan Islands (for reservations, call 360378-8420).

Be a Friend

Support Moran State Park The Friends of Moran strive to enhance the visitor experience by providing educational opportunities related to the cultural, historical and natural environments at the park.

We Need Volunteers www.friendsofmoran.org

Here is how you can help: • • • • • • •

Gift Shop Attendant Trail Work & Maintenance Fundraising Community Outreach Special Events & Programs Board Member & Administration Donations

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2019 Parks & Trails Guide

Enjoy the wildlife of the islands: but keep your distance

MANDI JOHNSON/STAFF PHOTO

A deer wades in the water, scaring away a great blue heron at the Crescent Beach Preserve on Orcas Island.

By Heather Spaulding From massive whales to tiny hummingbirds, an abundance of wildlife calls the San Juan Islands home.

Marine wildlife

While a variety of whales and porpoises are common sights in the Salish Sea, the San Juans are famous for their salmon-eating Southern resident orca whales. There are three Southern resident orca pods known as J, K and L. The orcas’ massive black fins are hard to miss, but do pay close attention to their unique markings because transient orcas also frequent the area. Transients tend to travel in smaller quieter groups, as they are hunting marine mammals such as seals and sea lions. Transients have a straighter sharper dorsal-fin shape, while residents’ fins tend to be more curved.

Humpbacks, gray and minke whales can also be spotted throughout the waters around the archipelago. Humpbacks were rarely seen around the islands, though over the last several years, sightings have become increasingly more common. Humpbacks have a tall water spray while gray whales’ blows are lower. Minkes are the smallest of the baleen whales. They have the ability to stay underwater for long periods of time and can be difficult to spot. Look for a curved dark-gray back and small hooked fin.

Harbor seals are plentiful, as are river otters. To tell the difference between the two at a distance, look at the head shape. A round head is most likely a harbor seal whereas a river otter has a smaller profile and with a notable pointed nose.

The massive stellar sea lions are also common to the area, and might be mistaken for a seal at a distance. Sea lions have a protruding forehead, a key distinction between them and seals.

Land wildlife

On land, black-tailed deer, rabbits and foxes are a few of the primary animals.

There are also — though rare — flying squirrels in some of the forested areas on San Juan Island. Flying squirrels are nocturnal and shy, so anyone who sees one should consider themselves lucky.

Gliding above in the evening and night sky are nine confirmed species of bats, including the small brown bat and the Townsend big-eared bat. Look for these insect eaters at dusk as they leave their roost.

Bald eagles are one of the most well-known birds of prey in the San Juans but they are certainly not the only ones. Golden eagles; red-tailed, cooper and sharp-shinned hawks; osprey; and peregrine falcons can all be spotted soaring while on the hunt. Carry along a Pacific Northwest bird book to learn how to

identify them, along with the vast species of shorebirds and songbirds local to the area.

The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, an organization whose mission is to protect the outdoors by teaching and inspiring others to enjoy it, suggested the following among its wildlife watching tips: • Minimize campfire impacts. Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking, and enjoy a candle lantern for light. Where fires are permitted, use designated fire pit areas, and keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand. Burn all wood and coals to ash, extinguish campfires completely and scatter cool ashes.

• Respect wildlife. Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.

• Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife not only damages their health but also alters natural behaviors and exposes them to predators as well as other dangers.

• Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.

• Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.

• Avoid wildlife times when they may be vulnerable, such as mating, nesting and raising young, and during the winter.

• Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience. Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail. Step toward the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock. Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.

• Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.

Orcas Island Eclipse Charters Whale & Wildlife Tours

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San Juan Islands, Washington

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Lopez Community Trails Network carves new island trails with the help of others San Juan County Land Bank

LCTN exists to build a network of trails throughout Lopez Island connecting locations with pathways for walking, biking and riding.

COMMUNITY

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We meet at the Lopez Library, the second Thursday of the month at 4:30pm.

Please join us then. To contact us to get emails about our activities: call 468-2474 or go to our web site: WWW.LOPEZTRAILS.ORG

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LOPEZ COMMUNITY TRAILS NETWORK

activities and other valuable information can be reviewed at our website: LopezTrails.org.

Each September we conduct The Walkabout, a two day, 18.5 mile hike, mostly off roadways, crossing public and private properties. This year we will hold our 7th annual Walkabout.

To see Lopez the way you’ve never seen it before, sign up at LopezTrails. org.

For the month October 2018 we conducted a Trail Trial which opened for public enjoyment the northern 5 miles of the Walkabout route, between the Village and the Ferry. We carefully monitored this event and solicited reactions in writing from hikers and interviewed property owners about their experiences. It was overwhelmingly positive. Over 300 hikes were taken, there were nearly 100 written responses, and the owners of the public and private lands were very enthusiastic.

We hope that in the not too distant future this route might become the first permanent part of our trail network allowing non-motor access between the ferry and village without being on roadways.

Each month from April to October we have Go Take A Hike, in which experienced members guide a series of hikes on Lopez, other San Juan County Islands, and on the mainland.

In August, LCNT will host a one way hike from Samish Bay Overlook up to Oyster Dome with its view extending all the way to Vancouver Island.

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By Kirman Taylor, Lopez Community Trails Network Lopez Community Trails Network was established 10 years ago to promote the development of hiking, biking and equestrian trails connecting all of Lopez Island so that anyone can use off-road routes to almost anywhere on our wonderful Island. Our vision, mission and goals, as well as

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Quiet, 400-acre Lopez Hill supports an expanse of mature conifer forest,

One of the trails promoted on the Lopez Community Trails Network website is lopez Hill Preserve, owned by the Juan County Land Bank. as well asSan seasonal wetlands and rocky meadow openings. Over four miles

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•S •D of trail are open to pedestrians, equestrians, and mountain bikers. Limited Other hikes will be scheduled later. most 500. We conduct trail building • L deer hunting is also permitted; hunters must contact the Land Bank for For more information on all of the classes and other events. Our regular • T current regulations.

There parking vehicles.are Originally ownedThbyursday of • L hikes planned for this year,is visit Lo-for 4meetings the second pezTrails.org. each Resources, month at 4:30 p.m. at the Lopez the Washington State Department of Natural the Land Bank Since our inception in late 2009, we Library, all are welcome. negotiated a 50-year lease in 2009 to manage the property for its have grown from 29 members to alecological and recreational values. In 2018, the Land Bank purchased the property outright. The local group Friends of Lopez Hill (www.lopezhill.org) built and maintains trails on the property, and was also instrumental in securing the Land Bank lease. A detailed trail map is available from Friends of Lopez Hill.

October 2018

12

2019 Parks & Trails Guide

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