Hiking Turtleback Mountain
Turtleback mountain is 1587 acres and was formerly owned by the Chairman of the Weyerhaeuser company. It was purchased by a group of conservation groups that included The San Juan Preservation Trust, The San Juan County Land Bank, And the Trust for Public Land. Turtleback Mountain is located between the towns of Eastsound and West sound on Orcas Island.
The previous owner was the Medina Foundation who put the property up for sale in order to raise more money for other grants. In the end over $18.5 million was raised from over 2000 donors. Conservationists were concerned that the pristine mountain side would be subdivided and sold off to luxury homeowners. The property is now permanently protected from development.
There are two parking lots on either side of the preserve linked together by the hiking trails passing over Turtleback Mountain. At the moment only pedestrians are allowed... no horses, bicycles, hunting, and all dogs must be leashed. Please stay on the trails as the environment is very sensitive.
"Here, you feel part of the landscape, where on Constitution, you feel like you are hovering over it." |
Driving Directions
Two access points are available: the North Entrance and the South Entrance. There
are no restroom or garbage facilities. There is space for approximately 4 -5 cars at
each entrance. Please respect private property boundaries while visiting Turtleback
Mountain Preserve.
North Entrance from the Ferry Terminal:
From the ferry landing, turn left and take Orcas Road north toward Eastsound for 3.4
miles to the intersection with Nordstrom Lane. Turn left and travel west on
Nordstrom Lane 0.6 miles to the intersection with Crow Valley road. Turn right and travel north on Crow Valley 1.7 miles. The entrance is an unmarked gravel road on
the left side opposite a yellow house, and just before the Crow Valley Schoolhouse.
North Entrance from Eastsound:
Travel south from Eastsound on Orcas Road 1.2 miles to the Y intersection with Crow
Valley Road. Travel south on Crow Valley Road 1.5 miles. The entrance is an
unmarked gravel road on the right immediately past the Crow Valley Schoolhouse.
South Entrance from the Ferry Terminal:
From the ferry landing, take Orcas Road north toward Eastsound for 2.4 miles to the
intersection with Deer Harbor Road. Turn left and travel west on Deer Harbor
through West Sound for 2.4 miles to the intersection with Wild Rose Lane. Turn right
onto Wild Rose. Parking is on the right at the top of the field.
South Entrance from Eastsound:
Travel south from Eastsound on Orcas Road 1.2 miles to the Y intersection with Crow
Valley Road. Travel south on Crow Valley Road 4.2 miles to West Sound and the
intersection with Deer Harbor Road. Turn right on Deer Harbor Road and travel
west for 1.2 miles to Wild Rose Lane. Turn right onto Wild Rose. Parking is on the
right at the top of the field.
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