Know Your Walk schedule

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Submitted by the Trails Committee.

Join the Trails Committee for a group hike on San Juan Island, on the last Saturday of each month. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and sturdy walking shoes. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Dogs on a leash are okay (except for the Zylstra bird walks on April 29). Parking might be limited, so please try to carpool.

· Saturday, April 29, 8-11 a.m.: Bird Walk at Zylstra Lake: Join Tyler Davis for a leisurely hike around the lake, keeping our eyes and ears open for many species that we’ve missed seeing all winter who will just be returning after long migrations that began hundreds or even thousands of miles south of us. Tyler looks forward to sharing his passion for our local (and beyond) avifauna with you. Meet at Zylstra Lake trailhead parking lot. Please try to carpool. This location has extremely limited parking. So that we can see as many birds as possible, this is a “no dogs” walk. Distance: 2.3 miles. Rating: Easy, on grassy trails.

· Saturday, May 27 10 a.m.-1 p.m.: Lime Kiln Point State Park: What’s the “lime” of Lime Kiln Point? Find out as we join Ranger Evan Stickles for an interpretive hike and delve into the history of the lime industry that used to thrive on the west side of San Juan Island. Meet at the park’s Interpretive Center, to explore the kiln site and quarries in the area. Remember to bring your Discover Pass! Distance: 2.5 miles. Rating: Moderate, on wooded trail with significant ups and downs.

· Saturday, June 24, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.: Briggs Lake: Join caretaker Will Hamilton for an educational tour of the Roche Harbor Watershed and learn what makes Briggs Lake so unique. Meet at the corner of Roche Harbor Road and West Valley Road. Distance: 2 miles. Rating: Easy, on grassy trails.

· Saturday, July 29, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.: American Camp: Join San Juan Island National Historical Park’s Superintendent Elexis Fredy and park Resource Stewardship staff for a hike at American Camp. Come explore the rare and unique ecosystems that are home to imperiled species, learn about efforts to restore native plant communities and the endangered island marble buttery, and stick around afterward for a “behind the scenes” look at how the park worked with traditionally-associated Coast Salish Tribes on the new visitor center exhibits. Meet in front of the American Camp Visitor Center. Distance: 2mi. Rating: Moderate, on grassy trails.

· Saturday, Aug. 26, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.: Roche Harbor Village & Cemetery and the McMillin Family Mausoleum: Join architectural historian Boyd Pratt for a tour of Roche Harbor Village, including the historical lime works and support buildings (relatively easy walk). Then, for those who are up for it, we’ll walk to the Roche Harbor Cemetery and on to the McMillin Family Mausoleum. Meet on the lawn to the left of the Roche Harbor Boat Ramp. Distance: 2.5 miles. Rating: Moderate.

· Saturday, Sept. 30, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.: Garry Oaks of Young Hill: Join Shauna Barrows, San Juan Island Field Assistant for the San Juan County Conservation Land Bank, at English Camp to explore the history and current condition of the Garry oak ecosystem. As we meander around Young Hill, Shauna will discuss the ongoing complexity of building climate resiliency and encouraging biodiversity in the island landscape. We’ll explore the area’s unique plant communities and cultural context, and interrogate the importance of the Garry oak in the face of a rapidly changing climate. Meet at English Camp parking lot. Distance: 2.2 miles. Rating: Moderate.