SAN JUAN COUNTY, WA. September 19, 2023 - The San Juan County Conservation Land Bank and Washington State Parks are pleased to announce a new opportunity for a forest stroll - a 0.75-mile hiking trail through your Conservation Land Bank’s newest preserve. Accessed through the existing Spencer Spit Parks trail system, this new public trail connects the Land Bank’s 18-acre Spencer Spit Preserve to Spencer Spit State Park.
The San Juan County Land Bank acquired the preserve in 2021 and it will be managed under an agreement with Washington State Parks.
Volunteers from the Lopez Community Trails Network and American Hiking Society built the trail over several days, alongside staff from the Land Bank and State Parks. Highlighting natural features such as a glacial erratic, the trail meanders through big leaf and Douglas maples, western red cedars, and large Douglas-firs. A short loop at the end rewards hikers with views of Flower Island from atop of shoreline bluff. Roundtrip hike from the State Parks entry is about 3.75 miles.
The trail is day-use and pedestrian access only, with trailheads located at the Spencer Spit State Park entrance and near day-use parking. A Discover Pass is required for vehicle parking. The Lopez Island Library has Discover Passes available for checkout and State Park free days occur throughout the year.
The next free day is National Public Lands Day on Saturday, September 23rd. Come visit Land Bank staff from 10am-1pm for maps and snacks to celebrate the trail opening!
To learn more about the opening of the new trail, and other Land Bank events, visit the Land Bank Online Calendar at sjclandbank.org/events-calendar/.
Media Contact: Tanja Williamson, Outreach/Volunteer Coordinator, tanjaw@sjclandbank.org, (360) 378-4402.
Abut San Juan County's Conservation Land Bank: San Juan County’s Conservation Land Bank, funded by a 1% real estate excise tax paid by purchasers of property at closing, acquires and protects special places in the Islands including coastlines, farmland, forests and wetlands. The department offices are located at 328 Caines Street, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. For more information about San Juan County’s Land Bank, visit www.sjclandbank.org.
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