Blog version (disclaimers)

Quick-and-dirty version

Access: English Camp/Mount Grant Preserve
Round Trip: 6.7 miles
Elevation Range: 20′-736′
Gear: none
Dog-Friendly: yes

Route

1. Follow the trail west from the English Camp parking lot to reach Young Hill viewpoint in one mile.
2. Back at the trailhead, continue west through English Camp onto the scenic Bell Point Trail through Garrison Bay.
3. From Mount Grant Preserve parking lot, go through the gate and reach the road fork shortly.
4. Turn left and hike Greywacke Trail up to the summit.
5. Follow the roadway north back at the trailhead.

Highlights

• Expansive view of Haro Strait and Canadian peaks
• Sunshine and solitude

Lowlights

• Early ferry departure

This is a great time to visit San Juan Island. Young Hill is in English Camp on the east side of the road. At the top there are great views from the grassy Meadows dotted with Gerry oak trees. Lots of flowers blooming right now including Camas flower, Glacier Lilies, Calypso Orcids, and Jefferys Shooting Star.

3mi RT , 700ft

We parked at the English Camp lot mid morning on a Friday.  We first went down to explore the camp, and then decided to hike Young Hill.  The parking lot at the English camp was about half full, and when we reached the road crossing there were a couple of cars parked there as well.  We mistakenly veered right, right before the cemetery, and seemed to end up on a climbers trail.  It was established, but we later found out it was not the main trail.  Although steep, we enjoyed the views, and ended up making a loop out of it, as we came down the main trail.   We stopped to visit the cemetery on the way down as well.  The views from the top were great, and the rain didn't start until we were arriving back at our car.     Plenty of solitude while we were here, we only saw two other people on the trail on the way down.  

These trails were great for some trail running. Generally fairly wide and soft (with some roots mixed in here and there). The only muddy part is the connector trail from Bell Point to the English Camp parking lot. The hike/run up Young Hill is mostly shaded and lots of beautiful Madrona trees. My run turned into a hike - it’s a mile of straight-up nearly 600 foot gain. But you will be rewarded at the top with views of the outer islands, mountains, and water. There is a also a view point near the top that should not be missed. And even the little side spur to the cemetery is lovely with Garry Oak trees. Thank