For Mother's Day 2019, was able to blend a family hike and very quick SOTA activation. Activating Guemes Island includes a short ferry ride from Anacortes, and shorter hike (2.2m round-trip) with minor elevation gain (~587 ft). The summit area has great views, and has both a great open space along with areas of trees for antenna's and/or holding a mast. No pass is required at the trailhead, but there is limited parking for ~4 cars.
With the ferry ride, it's takes a little more time to access this 1 point summit. Definitely recommend doing Guemes summit at least once, and I'm looking forward to doing again with more activation time. Thanks to Jason KV7DX (previously KE7UIU) for recommending!
Directions to Guemes Ferry from https://www.skagitcounty.net/Departments/FacilitiesManagement/guemesferrymap.htm:
Take exit 230 Hwy 20 Anacortes/Burlington
Go west on Hwy 20 toward Anacortes
Take a right on Commercial Avenue
Go left on 6th Street
The ferry holding lane is on 6th Street before you get to I Avenue.
There is a 72 hour parking lot for ferry users on 6th Street. For access, take a right on K Avenue. From this parking lot, there is a pathway that will lead to the terminal.
To get to the Anacortes terminal, take a right on I Avenue from 6th Street.
Directions after exiting Guemes Ferry:
After exiting the ferry, take a right on S Shore Rd. In 1.6 miles, stay left on S Shore road and continue for another 0.4 miles. The trailhead will be on your right, and there is parking for ~4 cars. Total distance from ferry to trailhead is 2 miles.
Guemes Island Ferry Links: (different ferry dock location from main Anacortes ferry dock to Lopez, Orcas, etc)
https://www.skagitcounty.net/Departments/PublicWorksFerry
https://www.guemesislandferry.com/
Guemes Island and Trail links:
https://guemesisland.info/guemes-mountain-trailhead/
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/guemes-mountain
https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/guemes-mountain
