Turtlehead — It’s one shell of a view from this Turtleback Mountain summit

Quick Facts: Location: Orcas Island, San Juan Islands Land Agency: San Juan County Land Bank Roundtrip: 5.6 miles Elevation Gain: 1295 feet Contact: San Juan County Land Bank Notes: Dogs permitted on leash; trail (partial) open to bikes (even days) and horses (odd days) Access: Take Washington State Ferry from Anacortes to Orcas Island. Then head…

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Little Cranberry Lake — A perfect complement hike to your Thanksgiving Day celebration

Quick Facts: Location: Anacortes-Fidalgo Island Land Agency: Anacortes Community Forest Lands Roundtrip: 1.9 miles Elevation Gain: 100 feet Access:  From Exit 230 on I-5 in Burlington, head west on SR 20 to junction with SR 20-Spur. Continue right on SR 20-Spur to Anacortes. At traffic light near old town, continue left on 12th Street (still SR 20-Spur and12th Street…

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Mount Wells– Victoria area summit gushes with flowers and views

Quick Facts: Location: Victoria—Langford, BC Land Agency: Capital Regional District Parks Roundtrip: 2.0 miles/ 3.2 km Elevation gain: 865 feet/ 264 m Maps: CRDP site Contact: Capital Regional District Parks Notes: dogs permitted on leash; please stay on trail to protect rare plants Access: From Victoria, follow Trans-Canada Highway 10.5 for miles (17 km) exiting…

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Mount Finlayson─This spoil of war now offers peaceful wandering

Quick Facts Location: San Juan Island Land Agency: National Park Service Roundtrip: 3.5 miles Elevation Gain: 290 feet Contact: San Juan Island National Historic Park Notes: Dogs must be leashed. Access: Take Washington State Ferry from Anacortes to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. Follow Spring Street for .5 mile through town turning left onto…

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Swan Lake and Christmas Hill –A very merry hike minutes from downtown Victoria

Quick Facts: Location: Saanich Peninsula, Vancouver Island Land Agency: Swan Lake Christmas Hill Sanctuary Roundtrip: 3.5 miles/ 5.6 kilometers Elevation gain: 325 feet/ 100 meters Contact:  Swan Lake Christmas Hill Sanctuary  Notes: dogs prohibited Access: From Victoria or Sidney, follow BC 17 (Patricia Bay Highway) exiting onto McKenzie Ave. Proceed east turning right onto Rainbow…

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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…

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Mount Erie

Fidalgo Island highpoint grants sweeping views Quick Facts: Location: Fidalgo Island Land Agency: Anacortes Community Forest Lands (ACFL) Round Trip: 5.2 miles Elevation Gain: 910 feet Contact: Anacortes Parks and Recreation Detailed Information: Day Hiking San Juans and Gulf Islands (Mountaineers Books) Map: online Notes: Dogs permitted on leash. Some trails open to bicycles, horses…

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Limekiln Point and Preserve

Orcas, old quarries, and a beautiful lighthouse Quick Facts: Location: San Juan Island Land Agency: Washington State Parks and San Juan County Conservation Land Bank Roundtrip: 2.2 miles Elevation Gain: 265 feet Contact: Lime Kiln State Park or San Juan County Conservation Land Bank Detailed Information: Day Hiking the San Juans and Gulf Islands (Mountaineers Books) Notes: Discover…

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 Iceberg Point — Maritime scenery will leave you frozen in astonishment

Quick Facts:  Location: San Juan Islands National Monument Land Agency: Bureau of Land Managment Roundtrip: 3.8 miles Elevation gain: 380 feet Contact: San Juan Islands National Monument, Spokane District Office BLM Notes: Dogs permitted on leash; do not park beyond Agate Beach Park; access is via private property which owners have generously granted permission—stay on…

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Sugarloaf — Savor Sweet Salish Sea Views

Quick Facts: Location: Anacortes, Fidalgo Island Land Agency: Anacortes Community Forest Lands Roundtrip: 2.5 miles Elevation gain: 650 feet Contact: Anacortes Parks and Recreation   Notes: dogs permitted on leash; some trails open to bicycles, horses. Access: From Exit 230 on I-5 in Burlington, head west on SR 20 for 13.5 miles. Turn right onto…

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