There’s a new trail at Shark Reef, making a 1 mile loop. Very nice!

I can’t wait to download the pictures from my camera when we get home tomorrow night. I was able to take pictures of a baby seal nursing and two deer on top of the island in the channel! I can’t imagine what it was like for them to swim out there. 

Update- now that I’ve downloaded pics from my camera, I can see that there are 2 speckled fawns on Deadman’s Island. Maybe they were born there?? 

Fantastic trail for kids, the boardwalk and rocky tide pools make for a nonstop fun hike. The trail is as muddy as advertised at the trailhead and boots are helpful. Saw a lovely proposal otherwise not much traffic. Lots of limpets, crabs, and chiton also saw some oystercatchers and some songbirds. The only disadvantage to the trail is that it’s close to the airport. Camping on the island is abundant right now just make sure you make a reservation on the ferry.

We have one little dog who can’t hike like she used to. Short hikes with long breaks is all she’s up for. Fortunately, that could be the title for every hike on Lopez Island. 
The trail to Shark Reef is great. Short and flat. Good for little kids and old folks who need to take it easy. We had our lunch on the rocks, listening to the seals snorting. Woodpeckers, kingfishers and a bald eagle. 
Spencer Spit is another short walk with a nice beach for a break. Kayak rentals available here. We saw the ranger giving parking tickets. Don’t forget your Discover Pass!

the sign for this trail is very small, and the parking area has enough spots for maybe 10 cars, but there is plenty of bike parking locations in the trees just to the north of the parking lot. There is a pit toilet for your convenience as well.

The trail itself is not very long, but if it is wet the boardwalk/ punchin is a little slick. there are some roots in the trail so watch your footing. Once the trail turns to the left the views start happening. From here on out the trial is over rocks, and on the edge of the bluff, but far enough away from the edge. there are plenty of spots to sit on the rocks and enjoy the views of the water. You can also see Cattle Point Lighthouse on San Juan Island from this park. While there Goose Island (Near San Juan) is full of seagulls, which I renamed to Seagull Island.

At Davis Point (the boundary of the park to the south) the current is very strong between Lopez and the small rocks that are sticking out of the water. To see just how strong the current is, is a good reminder to stay away from the edge of the rocks so you don't fall in.

There is a bunch of kelp and eel grass in the pretty blue/ green yet clear water. Not many people out on the trail this time of year, but once out on the rocks there is plenty of space to social distance from everyone.

Surprisingly there was not much garbage which was a welcome surprise for someone who is used to hiking near I-90.

This would be a beautiful spot to watch the sunset as well.

San Juan Island National Monument: Thank you Obama for preserving this treasure.

Getting There: Google Map Shark Reef Park, Lopez Island (named by a nearby reef).  If accessing via Airport Rd, once you turn onto Shark Reef Rd its about 1.8mi down on the right side. Large parking lot area with pit toilets etc.  Enjoy the Private Drive Rd sign names on your way down.

Hike: Follow the trail till it comes out to the water (Griffin Bay) enjoy the view but do not stop here. Continue the trail to the left until you come out to the open and see large rocks in the water etc. The day we were there, we counted up to 50 Harbor Seals all hauled out on the rocks. The attraction of the hike are the seals and the view from there and across to San Juan Island across the way. So you need to continue around to this spot or you will miss out. Find a spot to sit and watch the seals as they frolic in the channel below and fight for positions on rocks. Some even seem to be perched ontop of the water while up on a submerged rock.  Bring your binoculars.