Headed out for a quick hike near Anacortes on Fidalgo Island. One of my favorite hikes for its views of The San Juan Islands and Puget Sound. I also drove the Washington Park Loop Road on Friday with my wife so she could see it. The two videos were taken Friday the 20th and the pictures and trip report are about my hike on Sunday the 22nd. A lot of this trail crosses over the 5 mph one lane road through the park. Today I parked at the restrooms which are found just after entering the park up the hill past the boat launch parking area. This is the only restroom so take your break before starting this off on this trail.
Head downhill past the restroom to the sign you see ahead. Then past the sign and go downhill toward the water and pick up the trail going left. This small section of the trail is over grown quite a bit but you can still push your way through it. Check out the views of Cypress, Lopez, Guemes, Decatur, Blakely and Orcas Islands in the distance. If you are lucky you can get some nice views of one of the San Juan Islands Ferries crossing over to the islands. Along this short section of trail don't forget to check out the famous leaning tree. It is found in many pictures of Washington Park.
You will soon find yourself on the first of only two road crossing along this trail. This is the Washington Park Loop Road. This is a small very narrow one lane road through the park so this trail follows it in spots. The road has the best views of Puget Sound along it. After crossing the road you will be heading south across the park and mostly in the trees now. There are lots of Cedar and Douglas Fur Trees along trail. You will soon find yourself heading up hill near some switchbacks on the road and your second and final crossing of the road along this trail.
From hear the trees will start to thin out until it opens up for a fantastic view of Burrows Island and the sound. You will find several benches along the way to stop and rest, have a snack, and enjoy the views of the sound. From here follow the trails across the edge and down. The trails do not have numbers but there are signs at crossing that just have symbols for directions so follow them. I have read that the City of Anacortes will soon be numbering all the trails with actual numbers. You can find maps on-line now with the numbers but as I wrote they are not on the signs yet but when done it will make it easier in the future to find your way. This trail has many off shots or spurs but gradually head down hill not uphill or you will end up on the loop road. The trail will finally reach the water’s edge. As you work your way around the park along the water you will finally get to a private residence where you will need to back track 100 feet and climb up hill and connect back with the trail heading north. Watch the symbols on the signs. From here it's once again all in the woods all the way back to the beginning of the entrance to the park near the boat launch parking lot and back up the road to the restroom parking lot. All and all it is about 2.25 miles on the trail.
If you are from out of town I recommend you drive the two mile loop road also before leaving because some of the best views can only be seen from the parking areas along the road or taking spurs of the main trails and down to the water. Either way just make sure to see as much as possible while you are there.
Checkout the videos of Washington Park on my youtube channel at "lmm3181" or click on the direct links below.
As always get out and see this beautiful state and enjoy your hiking!
Take Care,
Mike
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