Baker Preserve
Savor Salish Sea views from ledges high on Lummi Mountain
Quick Facts:
Location: Lummi Island
Round Trip: 3.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,030 feet
Contact: Lummi Island Heritage Trust
Detailed Information: Day Hiking San Juans and Gulf Islands (Mountaineers Books)
Map: online
Notes: dogs prohibited; all visitors must sign register; day light hours only, group size limited to six.
Access: From Lummi Island Ferry Landing on island head left on South Nugent Road for 0.6 mile. Then turn left onto Seacrest Drive and reach preserve and trailhead in 1.7 miles.
Good to Know: kid-friendly, snow free winter hikes, trail less traveled, bird watching
At more than 1,600 feet, Lummi Peak is one of the highest summits in the San Juan Islands. Visible from throughout Salish Sea, much of this impressive peak is off limits to visitors due to private land ownership. But thanks to the Lummi Island Heritage Trust’s Baker Preserve, hikers can explore a part of this prominent landmark.
The 129-acre Baker Preserve abuts the 355-acre Baker Ranch to the north and the 700-acre Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Lummi Unit to the south forming a large protected swath on Lummi Peak. The Ranch is currently closed to the public, but the WDFW unit is not and can be accessed via this hike.
The trail starts off steeply paralleling a small creek cradling ravine. Through a uniform forest of maturing second growth, pass big stumps of what once grew here. The grade eventually eases. After passing a small swampy pool begin to catch window views of the islands through the trees. At 1.8 miles just after leaving the preserve and entering WDFW land turn right at a signed junction to a ledge top viewpoint complete with interpretive signs and wooden railings. The latter is in place not only to protect you from wandering off the ledge, but also to protect rare flowers from being trampled.
Enjoy good views of Sinclair, Cypress, Orcas, Clark, Matia, Sucia, Patos and Saturna islands. Frosty Canadian north shore summits can also be seen. Check snags for eagles and look for peregrine falcons—they nest on Lummi Peak’s precipitous cliffs. If intrigued, you can continue on an old road walking south another mile in WDFW land through attractive forest and by wetlands close to cliff tops.
For detailed descriptions (including maps) for this hike as well as others on Lummi Island, pick up a copy of my Day Hiking the San Juans and Gulf Islands (Mountaineers Books). In all, you’ll find 136 hikes on 23 islands!
