New Years eve day we hiked Putney Trails for two hours, only went a couple of miles stopping to admire trees, mushrooms, etc. Muddy trails were to be expected this time of year with mountain bike and horse tracks making some pretty big ruts. We saw two groups: a mom with loud young girls (yikes!), and about 6 adults, all unmasked. I printed a trail map and we still got a little turned around. The Roller Coaster and Rocky Road trails had some steep inclines that were tricky in the rutted mud. Overall a nice hike, easy to get to with good parking. We plan to come back and explore the other areas. 

We parked at the Putney Woods sign and there were no other cars in the lot. The porta-potty was one of the cleanest I’ve seen. Only passed one other person while we explored the trails with our kids. Trails are well marked. Some mud, lots of slugs (which fascinated the kids) and the occasional pile of horse poop.

We parked at the Putney Woods sign and there were no other cars in the lot. The porta-potty was one of the cleanest I’ve seen. Only passed one other person while we explored the trails with our kids. Trails are well marked. Some mud, lots of slugs (which fascinated the kids) and the occasional pile of horse poop.

What does Jane Eyre, a dolphin, Wood Nymphs, a 13,000 ton rock, and Blazing Saddles have in common? Well all can be found in this rambling forested Island County Park. Three are trail names, the dolphin is a mysterious find amongst the cedar trees, and the rock----Waterman Erratic. The 2nd largest glacial erratic (yup left behind by a glacier a few thousand years ago). It was a dreary, drippy, drizzly kind of day on Thursday July 2---but perfect for a hike to discover the small wonders.

We started at Putney Woods Trailhead, and decided upon our route based on highly scientific data: a) fun trail names, b) wishing to see the Rock, and c) checkout the 2nd trailhead at Saratoga Rd entrance. That provided about a 6 mile loop with elevation change of 850. A wonderful time over the course of our 5 hour visit.

We were the 2nd car in the spacious lot when we arrived at 9 AM; upon our return at 245 PM  there were 5 other cars and two horse trailers...one large enough to hold a polo team. Probably enough space for 25 cars, honey bucket at the far end of the entry sign.While hiking we encountered 5 trail runners and 3 mountain bikers. Note: parking lot at the Saratoga Rd entry was much smaller, maybe 5 cars could fit. 

Fauna: A plethora of slugs, chattering Douglas Squirrels, Towhees, Wrens, Sparrows, one Eagle, and some shy, no show, but very vocal Stellar jays. Oh and one wooden dolphin.

Flora: White daisies on the airstrip, some spindly yellow flowers in the meadow at Saratoga entry, ripe salmonberries & red huckleberries, healthy shelf fungi varieties, and a budding family of aliens (see pix). 

Trail: Well groomed, some good PNW muddles, the Putney Woods intersections are well signed, but not so much in the Saratoga Woods. We had a paper map of both woods from the Island County Parks website plus I downloaded the map on ViewRanger. When my GPS signal got lost in the sw corner of Saratoga Woods the ol' paper map & compass came in handy. A few intersections had the idiot locater type map-which is great if you don't have either of those other resources. Putney as described is a bit more of a scrappy forest, but this Cedar Tree lover was happy to see some nice collections. Definitely more diverse and steeper areas in the Saratoga sections.

The intersections are plentiful and so it is very easy to create your own route, could enjoy a lovely a one  mile loop or weave your ambitious self thru all ~18 miles. A few sections come near homes, so be sure to respect their beautiful private lands. We took the trail instead of the airstrip path and enjoyed the twists, turns, and dark woods. Plenty of healthy shrubberies in both parks and towering trees helped to make it feel a long ways from anywhere but was only 10 minutes from the Clinton ferry. And such a clean, trash free trail!!

We'll be back; I imagine the fall is beautiful with the many deciduous trees that grace forest. And hopefully we'll be able to bring our Girl Scouts along then.

Started from the Saratoga Woods trailhead off E Saratoga Rd around noon.

Used this map to follow the Indian Pipe trail to the old airstrip, and back via Wood Nymph Way. The trails were in good condition, only one large blowdown on Wood Nymph Way near the parking lot

Encountered 3 parties during the hour or so we spent there. Plenty of parking.