Join the San Juan County Land Bank and the Preservation Trust for two exciting hikes during the month of September.

First, explore the geology of Mount Grant Preserve during a geologic interpretive walk from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 10 at Mount Grant Preserve. Local geologist Julia Turney will lead an interpretive walk up the Mount Grant access road, stopping to look at rock exposures and geologic features. Over the course of the walk, Turney will unearth the general geology of the San Juan Islands, the geologic history of Mount Grant Preserve, and the most recent glacial geology that shaped the terrain seen today.

The mile walk to the summit includes a 500 foot elevation gain.

The campaign for Mount Grant Preserve is not yet completed. Approximately $380,000 remains to be raised for completion of the property acquisition and a dedicated stewardship fund to care for the preserve into the future. For anyone who has not participated in the campaign, to donate online visit sjpt.org/mountgrant, or phone the Preservation Trust at 360-378-2461.

Then you can join Orcas Preserve Steward Ruthie Dougherty and Historian Boyd Pratt from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 11 a field trip to the L.H. Wheeler lime kiln ruins on the land bank’s President Channel Preserve. This will be an opportunity to learn about the natural and social history of this isolated site.

The tour will meet at south Turtleback Mountain Preserve parking area off of Wild Rose Lane. Participants should remember to take water and a snack and be prepared to walk 1.7 miles total on old logging roads with up and down terrain.

Both events are free and limited space is available; RSVP to Tanja Williamson at 360-378-4402 or email tanjaw@sjclandbank.org.