The Guemes Mountain Conservation Area was protected by an unprecedented partnership between Skagit Land Trust, San Juan Preservation Trust, and the residents of Guemes Island.  Hundreds of donors contributed to protecting this jewel of the islands. Read all about the Campaign to Save Guemes Mountain.

Guemes Mountain is the highest point on Guemes Island, and features stunning views of the San Juan Islands, Mount Baker, the North Cascades, and the Skagit flats.  The mountain features a unique prairie habitat with a wide variety of flowering flora, small areas of wetlands and maturing forest.

The 70-acre Guemes Mountain Conservation Area is at the center of a larger 534-acre area of protected private and public lands (see map).

The protection of Guemes Mountain will ensure that this scenic location is maintained in a natural state for the public to enjoy.

Skagit Land Trust collaborated with Washington Trails Association to build a 1.2 mile long trail up the mountain in 2010-11.  The trail starts on a trail easement, winding through forest on a neighboring property.  It then emerges onto SLT property, ending at a beautiful mountain bald, with views of the surrounding islands.  You can learn more about the hike here.  Low impact day hiking is allowed, with dogs on leash and waste carried out. 

We do not allow biking, horseback riding, motorized vehicles, fires or overnight camping. 

There is parking available for 4 cars and a bike rack at the trailhead.  SLT worked with Anderson's General Store and Bikespot to purchase bikes and start a courtesy bike program, where hikers can leave their cars behind, ride the ferry over as a passenger, and borrow one or two bikes to get to the trailhead.  Contact Anderson's at 360.293.4548 to reserve the bikes!

For a printer friendly map, click here.