Ship Peak Hike on Orcas Island

Hike: Ship Peak Loop in Turtleback Mountain Preserve

Hike Difficulty: Moderate 

Hike Distance (Round Trip): about 3 miles

Time (Round Trip): 1.5-2 hours

Elevation: Ship Peak 931 feet

In previous posts, I gushed about Turtleback Mountain Preserve and how incredible it is. We went on two hikes in the preserve when we were on Orcas Island in December. Details about our hike in the north section of the park can be found here. We enjoyed Turtlehead Hike in the north section of the park so much that we made sure we had time to go on another hike before leaving on the ferry at 12:15pm on our last day. I honestly couldn't tell you which one to go on if you had to pick one. Both were awesome, so either do both or know that you won't be disappointed with either one!

I realize this photo is not terrific because of the condensation on the trailhead map; however, it can still help you in visualizing the trail and planning your hike. 

We started out on the South Trail from the Wildrose Lane trailhead, and then veered off the wide trail to the left for the single track Lost Oak Trail. And then we hiked up and up and up. The forest in this section of the park is very different from the forest on the Turtlehead hike, and I was glad we got to check out all of the park's diversity. 

 I just can't get over how GREEN it was on Orcas. I was so thankful for this trip, since it is incredibly brown and bare in North Carolina right now. 

 There were many vista points along this trail, not just at Ship Peak. And the views seemed to change before our eyes because the fog continued to move. 

Considering a Madrona tree tattoo and this one looks like the perfect one!

At this sign, we turned right towards Ship Peak. 

 This section of the trail didn't seem to exactly match what the map indicates. We just kept following signs for Ship Peak and continued on the trail after Ship Peak to meet back up with loop trail. In other words, there is no need to go out and back to the vista point. The trail loops back to the main trail.

This actually reminds me of the spanish moss in South Carolina.

Once we met back up with the main trail, we followed it down with a short stop at West Overlook (760 feet). We could see all of Crow Valley out to the north side of the island and south towards West Sound. It was beautiful to see the fog hanging over several of the farms perfectly placed throughout Crow Valley. Can you tell how much I love this place? 

 Yes, it looks like sunset, but it's actually 11am. Welcome to the Pacific Northwest in winter. 

 Crow Valley

 It was really this green. I did not do a thing to this picture. 

We made it back down the trail quickly (too quickly for my taste) and drove the 10 minutes to the ferry. Our visit was too short, but it always is. I am just thankful we know of this place and will come back to visit again and again. In the meantime, I'm glad I got some good pictures to remind me of the feeling I have on Orcas. 

 Quick stop on the side of the road on our way back to the ferry. 

The sun lighting up the Madrona trees

Directions to Wildrose Trailhead from Eastsound: 

Head south on Orcas Road for 1.2 miles. 

At Y, turn right on Crow Valley Road.
In 5.3 miles, turn right on Deer Harbor Road.
Turn right on Wildrose Lane. Parking area will be on your right. Enjoy!

Turtlehead Trail at Turtleback Mountain Preserve (Orcas Island)

Hike: North Trail and Turtlehead Trail

Hike Difficulty: Moderate

Hike Distance (Round Trip): 5.4 miles (add a bit more for the two overlooks)

Time (Round Trip): 3 hours

Elevation: Turtlehead 1005 feet

Just when I thought Orcas Island couldn't feel more magical or special, we had an opportunity to explore Turtleback Mountain Preserve on the west side of the island. Maybe it was just that in the winter there are fewer people on the island. Or maybe it's that a lot of love and money from local islanders and conservation groups recently made sure this land would never be sold off so rich people could build absurd houses on it and ultimately ruin this pristine, undeveloped, beautiful land. Whatever the reason, Turtleback Mountain Preserve felt special. It is peaceful, quiet, lush, and spiritual. The trails were well maintained and all of the overlooks are worth spending a few moments to breath it all in (and snap a few pictures). 

This hike started at the North parking area off Crow Valley Road. The parking lot is right next to the Crow Valley School Museum. Directions to the trailhead can be found at the bottom of this post. It is really obvious where the trail begins. Below is a map of the north section of the preserve.

We took a few minutes to check out the historic school and its surroundings before heading off down the trail.

Pleasant Valley School (later called Crow Valley School) built in 1888

After the school, we started up North Trail (and it is up, for most of the trail), taking a short detour to enjoy North Valley Overlook. 

 North Valley Overlook. Mount Constitution in the distance and Crow Valley down below.

 Several beautiful Madrona trees at the overlook

 North Trail

We continued up North Trail for 1.5 miles to Waldron Overlook (Waldron Overlook can be found by following a little trail to the right. There is a sign that points you in the correct direction.)

The view from Waldron Overlook of Waldron Island. We kayaked right along the coast down below on our San Juan Islands kayaking adventure in 2011. 

We took the Waldron Overlook Trail back to North Trail and almost immediately to the right is the Turtlehead Trail sign. This sign says the trail is 1.0 miles, but the map at the parking lot says 1.2. It definitely felt longer than 1 mile (but every step was awesome)!

The Turtlehead Trail is no longer a fire road, but instead is single track. The sign says no bicycles are allowed on this trail. From this point, we were going down hill for awhile before heading back uphill to the vista point. 

 Not sure what type of critter this is. Maybe a fox? 

 So much green! And yes, it's dark and feels like the sun is about to set, but it's really only 1:30pm. 

 The moss was literally glowing. So magical (and hobbity)!

 Views from Turtlehead. 

How awesome is this little character!?

We encountered 3 families and one single guy on the entire hike. We basically had the afternoon to ourselves. I loved every second of it. So much so, that we figured out a way to get one more hike in at Turtleback Mountain before leaving the island. Next post: Ship Peak at Turtleback Mountain Preserve

Directions to North Trailhead from Eastsound

Head south on Orcas Road for 1.2 miles. 

At Y, turn right on Crow Valley Road. 

Continue south on Crow Valley Road for about 1.5 miles. You will go through one stop sign. 

When you see Crow Valley School Museum on your right, the trailhead parking lot is right beyond it on your right. There is room for probably 5-6 cars.