All of our trips to Lopez Island seem to involve a bike ride, and today was no exception. After a brisk ride in this year's annual Tour de Lopez, KG7JEH and I left the latex-clad crowd at the finish line for some SOTA de Lopez action. As it turned out, that action didn't last too long before my battery was down to 10 volts and I called it a day.
After taking the ferry ride from Anacortes to Lopez Island, getting to the trailhead is easy, and directions can be found with Google Maps - search for "Lopez Hill Trailhead".
This is DNR land that is being leased by San Juan County and no passes are needed to park or access the 400 acre property. The Friends of Lopez Hill website, http://www.lopezhill.org/ is the place to download the trail map, get more information, or perhaps donate to help protect this location.
The well-maintained trails here are designed more for mountain bike or horseback meandering rather than a destination trip to the top of the hill. The way up requires several turns at well-marked junctions - refer to, and believe the map. It took us about 45 minutes before reaching the top to find a welcoming hammock swinging in a tree.
No view, but very large moss-covered boulders make up the hilltop, and form a comfortably large area to work with. I was able to get my stakes into the ground enough to guy my telescoping pole off to the side and a little out of the way of any other visitors. For that reason, I just wasn't close enough to turn the hammock into an operating/snoozing station.
Overall, a peaceful setting only 20 minutes from the ferry with an easy, well-marked trail to follow. The island has lots of other parks to visit, and is a great place for bicycling or kayaking. The Village features several dining and lodging opportunities as well as other shops and points of interest. It's easy to spend the entire day out here, or plan for an overnight extended stay.
.JPG "Lopez Hill")
.jpg "KG7JEH on the trail")