Enjoy an easy, kid-friendly near-level woodland stroll around one of the largest lakes in the San Juans or a heart-pounding ascent up the islands' highest point. From Mount Constitution's unique stone tower savor stunning views of snow-capped peaks and emerald islands spanning from British Columbia's Garibaldi all the way to Rainier. After fawning and awing, walk along the edge of precipitous cliffs gazing at the twinkling waters of Mountain Lake 1000-feet below. This is the heart of Moran State Park, and when it comes to pure scenery, wildlife observations, and top-notch trails, you'll be hard-pressed to find an area surpassing this.

For both loops, begin by walking 0.25 mile down a dirt road to the boat launch. Here, the trail takes off north, hugging the western shore of Mountain Lake. This section of trail is named for Bonnie Sliger, a popular Youth Conservation Corps supervisor who tragically died in a fall in 1977.

Skirting the placid shoreline graced with mature timber, keep your eyes and ears tuned for woodpeckers, eagles, ducks, and osprey. Watch too for kingfishers and heron. While you're scoping for birds, a few of Moran's ubiquitous black-tailed deer will probably be watching you.

In 1.25 miles reach a junction. To continue circling 200-acre Mountain Lake, proceed right. Meandering along pristine shoreline, the trail carries on with its easy journey. A small ledge requiring a climb of 50 feet or so is the only break from near-level hiking on the entire loop. At 3.25 miles reach a small dam at the lake's southern tip. From this point enjoy good views of Mount Constitution, cliffs and tower revealed, hovering above the lake.

Avoiding a side trail leading to Mount Pickett, continue by crossing Cascade Creek on a bridge just below the dam. Here another trail diverges left, this one following Cascade Creek and leading to falls and lake of same name. Head right, hugging more Mountain Lake shoreline and closing the loop.

Mount Constitution-bound hikers should head left at 1.25 miles from the trailhead onto the Twin Lakes Trail, at the junction that comes along as you're hiking the lakeshore. Follow the well-trodden path for 1 mile, gaining an easy 200 feet of elevation to another junction (elev. 1100 ft). Trails leading to the little Twins and to Mount Pickett take off right.

You, however, are headed left. Take a break-you've got quite a climb ahead of you. In deep timber, begin your ascent. The trail steepens, gaining 1000 feet in less than a mile as it works its way up Constitution. En route ignore a trail taking off right (North Trail), but consider the spurs leading left to nice viewpoints.

At 4 miles from your start, emerge on 2409-foot Mount Constitution's broad summit. Don't let gawking tourists who drove to the summit detract from your experience; well-earned views await. Head for Constitution's unique stone tower. Constructed by Civilian Conservation Corps crews in 1936, it's a facsimile of a twelfth-century Caucasus Mountains military fortification. From this roof top of the San Juan Islands, enjoy an unobstructed view of island, mountain, Sound, and strait from the Olympics to Rainier, Vancouver Island to British Columbia's Coast Range.

Now it's time to amend your views on Constitution, adding to the sights seen by continuing your hike. Leave the summit and crowds via the Little Summit Trail. Losing very little elevation, saunter for a mile on the summit plateau through stands of lodgepole pine and along the edge of sheer cliffs plummeting straight down to Mountain Lake.

After skirting frog-incubating Summit Lake, bear left at a junction (the trail right leads to Cold Springs and Cascade Lake), and in another mile reach another junction (elev. 1900 ft), bearing left once again. Begin your at times steep descent back to Mountain Lake, arriving at your vehicle and closing the loop in 0.75 mile.