Turtleback Mountain

Waldron Lookout, accessible via a spur trail at 1.5 miles up the northern trail.

Turtleback Mountain is a wilderness-preservation success story.  Recently the target of a development effort on Orcas Island, a popular weekend destination for people from Seattle, it was saved from that fate largely by the efforts of one man and his organization, Tim Seifert, executive director of the San Juan Preservation Trust.  Thanks to their work, the mountain is now a wilderness area, in perpetuity.  As a bonus, a network of trails is now available to allow hikers and sight-seers a chance to explore the mountain.  The trails are beautiful and serene and not nearly as crowded as those on the more popular Mount Constitution, which sits on the other side of the island.  There are just a few open viewpoints, such as this one, but they do pack a punch.  Beyond that, the forest scenery is just fantastic.
Waldron Lookout, accessible via a spur trail at 1.5 miles up the northern trail.

Turtleback Mountain is a wilderness-preservation success story.  Recently the target of a development effort on Orcas Island, a popular weekend destination for people from Seattle, it was saved from that fate largely by the efforts of one man and his organization, Tim Seifert, executive director of the San Juan Preservation Trust.  Thanks to their work, the mountain is now a wilderness area, in perpetuity.  As a bonus, a network of trails is now available to allow hikers and sight-seers a chance to explore the mountain.  The trails are beautiful and serene and not nearly as crowded as those on the more popular Mount Constitution, which sits on the other side of the island.  There are just a few open viewpoints, such as this one, but they do pack a punch.  Beyond that, the forest scenery is just fantastic.
Turtleback Mountain is a wilderness-preservation success story.  Recently the target of a development effort on Orcas Island, a popular weekend destination for people from Seattle, it was saved from that fate largely by the efforts of one man and his organization, Tim Seifert, executive director of the San Juan Preservation Trust.  Thanks to their work, the mountain is now a wilderness area, in perpetuity.  As a bonus, a network of trails is now available to allow hikers and sight-seers a chance to explore the mountain.  The trails are beautiful and serene and not nearly as crowded as those on the more popular Mount Constitution, which sits on the other side of the island.  There aren't many open viewpoints, but the forest scenery is just fantastic.


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