Seven All-Season Hikes on Orcas Island

Originally, I fell in love with Orcas Island, one of four ferry serviced islands, in the San Juan Islands, while sea kayaking in the area. But I soon learned that it’s also a great island for hiking in all seasons! Snow rarely falls. And because it’s in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains temperatures are a bit warmer and precipitation is somewhat less than the rest of the Pacific Northwest!

There are fabulous old Douglas Fir and Hemlock forests, several freshwater lakes, Mt Constitution, the tallest point in the San Juans, majestic Moran State Park and well-preserved and scenic Turtle Back Preserve to explore accompanied by spectacular views of endless islands dotting the Salish Sea.

After years of hiking Orcas Island these are our seven favorite hikes listed in order of difficulty (distance and elevation gain):

Deer Harbor Orcas Island, WA from Lollipop Loop walk

1. Deer Harbor lollipop loop – 1.5 miles, 50 feet elevation gain. We stay in Deer Harbor, so this is our regular morning or sunset walk. Begin at the Deer Harbor Marina (they have lattes) and head south up the road, in .25 miles you will see a public path sign, go straight. The path is now called the Jeremy Trimble path, after the wonderful proprietor of the old Inn on Orcas Island who is sorely missed. Enjoy the expansive water views through the mighty fir and madrona trees to your right, west.

In another .25 miles you will see a bench, a place to appreciate the pure beauty of the Salish Sea and Wasp Islands. Continue east past some magnificent homes and gardens until you come to a stop sign. Cross the street and turn left on a mowed public path. You will come to another bench that looks out over grasslands to a profile of Turtleback Mountain Preserve. From here follow the mowed trail back to where the path began and then retrace your steps down the road back to the Marina. Enjoy!

Mountain Lake, Moran State Park, Orcas Island, WA

2. Mountain Lake loop, Moran State Park – 3.9 miles, 50 feet elevation gain. This has always been a “go to” walk for me while on Orcas. A well-maintained soft path circumnavigates the lake through a forested wonderland in Moran State Park. You will need a Discover Pass to park. If there are not any spots at the first little lot, go a bit further north to the boat launch where there are also restrooms.  

The walk can be done clockwise or counterclockwise – both are super. If you walk clockwise, my preference, lake views are off to your right while Douglas Firs tower over you on your left. Mushrooms are abundant in the fall. In the spring, at the north end of the lake, colorful foxglove are plentiful in an open sunny spot to the left of the trail. At the south end you will cross Cascade Creek on a little scenic bridge and walk below the spillover from the small dam. In the summer the shade gives relief from any heat there might be, and, in the winter, it feels pretty cozy! This route is great for trail running as well!

Western view from Ship Peak Loop, Turtleback Preserve, Orcas Island, WA

3. Ship Peak Loop Trail, Turtleback Mountain Preserve – 3 miles, 860 feet elevation gain. This local favorite begins at the South trailhead in Deer Harbor to Turtleback Preserve where there is a nice parking lot and map signage. I suggest taking a picture of the map if you can’t download this link. We recently re-visited this hike, and it will now be our “go to” hike prior to the noon ferry home. It’s packed with fantastic views, some elevation gain and takes less than two hours!

Follow the South Trail gradually up for .4 miles where you will come to an old road, Morning Ridge Trail, take it to your right. (Another 1.2 miles gets you to Ship Peak.)  This trail or old road soon breaks out of the trees to your first magnificent view of islands to the south! There are wonderful benches like this at many viewpoints along the way. Much of the elevation gain comes in some long shallow switchbacks after this spot. Views move from south to southeast and eventually to western valley views at the top. Follow the signs to a short spur trail out to Ship Peak overlook.

To complete the loop down, follow Morning Ridge Trail to Lost Oak Trail and then back to the South Trail. Another option is to enjoy the same fantastic scenery again and to descend the way you ascended!

North end of Mountain Lake, Moran Park, Orcas Island, WA

4. Twin Lakes and Mountain Lake Loop, Moran State Park – 5.9 miles 300 feet elevation gain. This is hike #2 above with an additional two miles added by going around Twin Lakes, two smaller lakes beyond the north end of Mountain Lake. If you go clockwise, you will see the sign to Twin Lakes at the North end of the Lake. Follow the trail clockwise around these picturesque lakes, Big Twin (.6 miles) and Little Twin (.4 miles), and then follow the trail back to the Mountain Lake Loop completing it as you would in #2. So fun and peaceful – these trails are rarely crowded although the parking can get full on busy summer weekends.

Moran State Park Natural Area Preserve, Orcas Island, WA

5. Mt Pickett loop, Moran State Park – 8 miles, 1000 feet elevation gain. Begin going clockwise on the Mountain Lake loop, #2. At the north end of the Lake, you will see signs for Twin Lakes. Once to Twin Lakes follow the signs to Mt Pickett through the lush magical old forest of the Moran State Park Natural Area Preserve, blanketed in moss. The “summit” of Mt Pickett is anticlimactic after hiking up 1,000 feet – there isn’t a viewpoint.

After the Mt Pickett summit sign there is an unmarked intersection. Take a right and follow the trail for about one mile until you see some wetlands on your right. On your left you will see another unmarked intersection. Turn left and follow the switchbacks down to another unmarked interesection. Turn right and in about a quarter mile, on your left, you will see a trail out to a grassy knoll, Hogback Mountain Preserve, where I am a Land Steward for the San Juan Preservation Trust.  From here you will see Bellingham, Mt Baker, Cypress and Vendovi Islands and the Pea Pods to the east. On a clear day the Olympic Mountains are to the south. And often you will see resident eagles. It’s idyllic!

After drinking in this incredible scenery go back to the trail, turn left and cross a little wooden bridge and then turn right on the Mystery Trail, the first trail to your right after the little bridge (Once again, the Mystery Trail sign is gone – it’s a mystery as to why.) At the end of the Mystery Trail turn left and follow the signs back to the Mountain Lake Trailhead.

View from Turtle Head on Turtleback Mountain Preserve, Orcas Island, WA

6. Turtlehead Hike, Turtleback Mountain Preserve – 8.5 miles round trip, 1600 feet to the “head” from the South trailhead. This expansive preserve is a joint project between San Juan Preservation Trust, San Juan County Land Bank and the Trust for Public Land. When the “neck” was acquired by the San Juan Preservation Trust it opened a whole new world of hiking on Orcas Island.

Begin at the South Trailhead. Turn left on Lost Oak Trail – the beginning and end of this hike are the steepest sections. Then, follow the Ridge Trail to the Center Loop Trail and turn left. Continue Center Loop Trail past Raven Ridge Trail until you come to Turtlehead Trail where you will turn left and walk for 1.2 miles. It’s steepest right before you reach the “head”. I often hear visitors gasp in “awe” once they reach the “head” – the view of the Salish Sea and the islands below along with the Olympic Mountains to the south is incredible!

Take a picture of the map on the sign at the Preserve if you can’t download via this link. I have taken a wrong turn more than once. You can also start at the North Trailhead or do a variety of other shorter routes. You will love it!

Douglas Firs in Moran State Park, Orcas Island, WA

7. Mt Constitution hike, Moran State Park – 7 miles round trip, 1,500 feet elevation gain. This hike is primarily in Moran State Park’s Forest of Western Hemlock and Douglas Fir until you reach the tallest summit in the San Juan Islands.

From Mountain Lake in Moran State Park begin walking clockwise on the Mountain Lake loop per hike #2 above. Once to the north end of the Lake, about 1.5 miles, follow the signs to Twin Lakes, another mile, where you will turn left (versus right in hike #4) following the signs to Mt Constitution. Up to this point, the hike is relatively flat. This is where the 1.5-mile steep climb begins – there are several switchbacks. The  summit is well worth it!

Once to the top make sure to climb the stairs to the top of the lookout for a superb view looking east and north up to Canada. If you can swing it timing wise, my favorite time to go up the tower is at sunset! There is also a newish visitor center with unpredictable hours to check out.

You can go back down the way you came. Or make it a nice loop by following signs to “Little Summit” which also has a great view. Lots of people go to Little Summit” first doing the loop clockwise as well. This option makes the ascent longer but not as steep. Another option is to meet non-hiking friends and family for a scenic picnic and ride down in the car with them after your big climb!

If you go:

Make sure to get ferry reservations both ways. Reservations are released at 7:00am; 30% two months out, 30% 2 weeks out & 30% 2 days out. Arrive at least 30 min before your sailing time or you will lose your reservation (no show fee)!

Cell service is extremely limited “on island” except at the ferry landing and in Eastsound – Verizon seems to work best.

For more information on Orcas Island check out Visiting Orcas Island, WA Year Around – Top Spots at My Home Away from Home

For kayak information click here Top Ten Kayak Paddles from Orcas Island with Guide, Michael Huber

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