Hiking The San Juan Islands

Packable size filled with maps, elevation profiles, 130 photos, at-a-glance trail selection table, and more from a beloved trails author 1% of sales support trail maintenance in Washington As a hiking destination, the San Juan Islands of Washington and their sister islands to the north offer scores of parks and preserves, hundreds of miles of trails catering to hikers of all levels, and year-round accessibility. Day Hiking: The San Juans and Gulf Islands is divided into roughly four sections: Anacortes, for many the gateway to the region; the San Juan Islands themselves, including some key islands not served by Washington State Ferries; Victoria, Canada, providing easy access to the Gulf Islands, as well as other unique destinations; and the magical southern Gulf Islands. Author Craig Romano explores state parks, county parks, and provincial parks as well as some municipal and regional parks. He also features the recent expansion of San Juan Island National Historic Park on San Juan Island and the recently created Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, spanning several of the southern Gulf Islands, both of which are not yet familiar to many hikers. While the star attractions are the ferry-accessed islands, Romano also features several of the larger islands that don’t have ferry service (e.g., Stuart Island)——making this guide of interest to paddlers and boaters who are looking for hikes too! Key features of this guide: 136 hikes (approximately 50% American, 50% Canadian locations) Ferry travel tips Car-camping recommendations Border-crossing details All distances and elevations in both English and metric units Overview maps for both the San Juans and Gulf Islands **Mountaineers Books designates 1 percent of the sales of select guidebooks in our Day Hiking series toward volunteer trail maintenance. For this book, our 1 percent of sales is going to Washington Trails Association (WTA). WTA hosts more than 750 work parties throughout Washington’s Cascades and Olympics each year, with volunteers clearing downed logs after spring snowmelt, cutting away brush, retreading worn stretches of trail, and building bridges and turnpikes. Their efforts are essential to the land managers who maintain thousands of acres on shoestring budgets.

'Island time' isn't just for the tropics: Escape to evergreen forests, pebbled shorelines, and the glittering sea with Moon San Juan Islands. Inside you'll find: Flexible itineraries like a 4-day best of the islands and a weeklong family camping trip, with coverage of gateway towns such as Anacortes, Whidbey Island, and Bellingham, plus nearby Seattle and Victoria Unique experiences and can't-miss sights: Picnic on cliffs overlooking the ocean or paddleboard on a tranquil lake. Spot playful orcas and check out the Whale Museum in Friday Harbor. Visit local farms filled with fragrant lavender or fluffy alpaca and sip wine or cider at island vineyards. Savor the flavors of the Pacific Northwest at incredible farm-to-table restaurants, sample oysters fresh from the sea, or browse your way through quirky book stores and funky antique shops The best outdoor adventures: Go sea kayaking alongside whales or glide through glimmering nighttime waters during a bioluminescence tour. Set your sights on the islands' marine life, including killer whales, humpback whales, porpoises, and seals, during a whale-watching trip. Sail around the islands or fish for salmon, cod, and halibut. Take a forest hike, spot rare birds, or bike through rolling farm country and along the stunning shorelines Expert advice from former wilderness ranger Don Pitcher on when to go, how to get around, and where to stay, from romantic B&Bs to stunning campsites Full-color photos and detailed maps throughout Thorough information on the landscape, climate, wildlife, and history With Moon's practical tips and local insight, you can experience the San Juan Islands your way. Hitting the road? Try Moon Pacific Northwest Road Trip. Seeing more of The Evergreen State? Check out Moon Washington or Moon Seattle.

'Island time' isn't just for the tropics: Escape to evergreen forests, rocky shorelines, and the glittering sea with Moon San Juan Islands. Inside you'll find: Flexible itineraries like a 4-day best of the islands and a weeklong family camping trip, with coverage of gateway towns such as Anacortes, Whidbey Island, and Bellingham, plus nearby Seattle and Victoria, BC Unique experiences and can't-miss sights: Picnic on cliffs overlooking the ocean or paddleboard on a tranquil lake. Visit local farms filled with fragrant lavender or fluffy alpacas and sip wine or cider at island vineyards. Savor the flavors of the Pacific Northwest at incredible farm-to-table restaurants, sample oysters fresh from the sea, or browse your way through quirky bookstores and funky antique shops The best outdoor adventures: Go sea kayaking or glide through glimmering nighttime waters during a bioluminescence tour. Marvel at the islands' marine life, including orcas, humpback whales, porpoises, and seals, during a whale-watching trip. Sail around the islands or fish for salmon, cod, and halibut. Take a forest hike, spot rare birds, or bike through rolling farm country and along the stunning shorelines Expert advice from former wilderness ranger Don Pitcher on when to go, how to get around, and where to stay, from romantic B&Bs to stunning campsites Full-color photos and detailed maps throughout Thorough information on the landscape, climate, wildlife, and history With Moon's practical tips and local insight, you can experience the San Juan Islands your way. Exploring more of the Pacific Northwest? Check out Moon Coastal Oregon or Moon Columbia River Gorge & Mount Hood. About Moon Travel Guides: Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell—and they can't wait to share their favorite places with you. For more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.

* Paddling and boating routes in Washington's San Juan Islands* Useful for finding boating routes to water-side San Juan Island parks, as well as finding the parks from which you can go paddling* Guidebook includes driving directions and "find it at a glance" features of the routes and parks that appeal to youAuthors Marge and Ted Mueller are known for their intimate knowledge of the San Juans. In addition to boating (including details on launches and anchorages), the Muellers highlight opportunities for bicycling, camping, hiking, picnicking, scuba diving, beachcombing, birdwatching, and wildlife viewing. They offer their personal tips on when to go, how to get around (the ferry system, simplified!), and how best to enjoy the islands. Marge and Ted Mueller have explored the Northwest's mountains, forests, and waterways for more than forty years.

This guide details everything outdoor enthusiasts need to know to get the most out of their outdoor experience on the San Juan Islands, including hiking, paddling, road biking, mountain biking, and scenic driving.

The most accurate and comprehensive guide for Washington's coastal waters, from Anacortes to Bellingham and all of the San Juan Islands

The San Juan Mountains are awesome. No other range in the contiguous United States offers the immensity and diversity of the San Juans. Thirteen of Colorado's fifty-four fourteeners and twenty-nine of the state's one hundred highest peaks are located there. This guide offers descriptions of 145 peaks and 237 routes.

CLICK HERE to download two trips from Kayaking Puget Sound — "Freshwater Bay to Salt Creek" and Rob Casey's favorite, "Deception Pass" *Kayak, canoe, and stand up padding routes that promise beauty and adventure * Completely updated information and maps, all new photographs, and over 10 all new trips * Revised, easier-to-use Trips-at-a-Glance chart * Originally for kayakers, info now applies to a range of vessels including pedaling kayaks, stand up paddleboards, canoes, row boats, shells, and even kayak-sailing outriggers The miles of inland waterways of the Pacific Northwest are among the best in the world for paddling. Beautiful scenery, intricate and protected waterways, and abundant marine life define the area, while on shore are ample public parklands for camping and exploring. The 60 trips in this extensively updated 3rd edition of the bestselling Kayaking Puget Sound & the San Juan Islands cover the Sound's myriad islands, fjord-like canals, and inlets from Canada's Gulf Islands to the Nisqually River Delta, including the fabulous San Juan Islands and the unique Hood Canal. Each trip description covers all the details paddlers need to plan and complete specific tours throughout the region. Other important updates to this 3rd edition include: modern safety tips (emphasis on proper gear and PFDs); a list of weather resources; how to make use of cell phones and mobile apps that utilize GPS and real-time navigational data; a resources section on kayaking training in the region through paddle clubs, certification groups, and paddle shops; how to prepare for open water trips; new info on how to cross into Canada; and more. Kayaking Puget Sound & the San Juan Islands, 3rd Edition, gives novice paddlers, weekenders, and lifelong kayakers the inspiration and knowledge to get out and explore the Northwest via its singular waterways.