cycle hiking San Juan island

Cycle hiking the Islands – trip report by site editor Rick McCharles

Due to ferry schedules I arrived Friday Harbor late in the day. The town’s name originates from Joseph Poalie Friday, a native Hawaiian.

I purchased food for dinner and headed out to find a place to camp.

Next morning early I was back at the Bean Cafe. These free wifi spots are my longest breaks during each day.

Tourist information told me the south was more scenic than the north, so I headed towards American Camp.

There are a number of trails. I opted to start towards Grandma’s Cove and made my own loop back.

It’s very popular.

American Camp is a legacy of the Pig War, a confrontation in 1859 between the United States and Great Britain over the Canada-U.S. border. Over a pig. Not kidding.

This was my first really hot, sunny day on the bike.

At times I wished I’d rented one of Susie’s Scootcars instead. 🙂

Nearby is Cattle Point Lighthouse.

Jakle’s Lagoon is the trailhead for several interesting looking hikes. Hot and nearly out of water, I gave them a miss. This time.

After lunch I headed north to Roche Harbor with it’s weird sculpture garden.

The resort is cluttered. Too near the airport for my liking. But I did like the colour scheme.

Next stop – English Camp.

Much quieter than American Camp.

It was late in the day when I finally reached Lime Kiln Park State Park.

A highlight of the day was spotting Orcas.