Nice weather when i arrived at the the North Trail parking lot (off Crow Valley Rd) ~08:00. i did the Turtleback Mtn Loop "clockwise": from the North Trail trailhead ("A"), down thru Center Loop Trail ("B"), up thru Raven Ridge Trail ("C"), to Waldron Overlook, and then back to the North Trail parking lot.
It was ascending pretty much during the first half of the ~7 miles hike. Lots of huffing and puffing for me .. good endurance testing though. The forest is mostly still green and beautiful .. and so quiet .. The trails are very well-maintained (by San Juan County Land Bank), and clearly marked. Did a stopover at Waldron Overlook for nice views of the Waldron Island WA, and more .. Vancouver CA ??
By the way, i noticed that there are some ongoing habitat restoration. Great Job SJC .. Keep up your good work!! :)
Other that the one woman trail-runner (coming up the North Trail during the ending of my hike), i didn't see or notice any other person in the Preserve.
This is my first visit to the small, quiet, idyllic, and "laid-back" Orcas Island. It was fun and most enjoyable. And i hope to re-visit the Orcas again many times more.
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