Turtleback Mountain Preserve — Attraction in Orcas Island

best views. Hike is all uphill though and can get hot of you take the south main trail. There are two main trails, the North and South. We have only done the south. Great views along the way, but the south trail is open and a very wide trail. You can start on the south and cut off on the Morning ridge trail to get to the overlook and then on to ships peak and further if you choose. There is a small parking lot at the south trailhead and leashed dogs are welcome. The lost oak trail is more forested, but the views are not as spectacular along the way. If you are concerned about overheating on a sunny day take the lost oak trail up from the south trail and the morning ridge on...

Most hikers start at The Old Schoolhouse on the Crow Valley road. It's a steady climb to about 1000' on a narrow gravel road. There are two overlooks before the final destination at Turtle Head. The first at about 30 minutes out, is the Crow Valley Overlook. Mt. Constitution, the airport, and Sucia Islands are in full view. Next is the Waldron Island Overlook, at about an hour out. There is a clear view of the Canadian Gulf Islands. Finally, Turtle Head overlooks the San Juan Islands, Whidbey, and...

So beautiful here and there's many hikes you can do. There's a South entrance and a North entrance respectively. Different areas of Deer Harbor Rd & Crow Valley Rd for hiking without State Park fees. These hikes are steep so get poles or a hiking stick and good hiking boots for these hikes. You will run into locals on these trails and they're...