Turtleback Mountain is a special treasure for all who come to Orcas Island. We have a cabin in Westsound, so we feel especially appreciative to have access to this area. If you look at the “map” below {which is actually a porcelain pendent a friend found at the Saturday Market}, Westsound is the second lobe to the left. Turtleback mountain is on the left side of that lobe second lobe, at the top of the inlet.
Nearly unoccupied for many years, the natural beauty of the mountain was almost lost forever to a developer a few years back. Thankfully, several conservation groups and the local community stepped up ensure that Turtleback will always be dark at night and that all can enjoy it’s natural beauty everyday.
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| Turtleback mountain view to the SW from the top of the South Trail, the first land body you see is the 3rd lobe, home of Deer Harbor. Beyond that are several smaller islands in the San Juan archipelago. |
I think this piece from The Trust for Public Lands best describes the situation:
“Turtleback Mountain is perhaps the San Juan Islands’ most distinctive geographic feature. Visible from throughout the archipelago, the mountain served as a landmark for the Salish people of the Northern Straits as they traveled across their villages and fishing grounds.
The island was put on the market in 2005 and could have been developed for 78 private home sites, but the owners agreed to give the community time to purchase the iconic landscape.
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| Usually on a leash, don’t tell anyone, but Arabella had a splendid romp at the top of the mountain on this misty morning. |
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| a soggy Braque du Borbonnais |
The San Juan Preservation Trust, a local land trust, and the San Juan County Land Bank, a publicly funded land conservation group, asked TPL {Trust for Public Lands} to help raise the $18.5 million needed to buy the mountain and then to complete the transaction. By 2007, the property was opened to the public as the Turtleback Mountain Preserve.”
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| Pastural lands can be viewed to the east at the top of the Ship’s Peak trail. |
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| Wild Onion blossoms {I think?}, Turtleback Mountain |
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| Garry Oaks are unique to the Pacific Northwest. Here they are protected from overgrowth by the Douglas Fir trees. |
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| Everyday is a winding road. |
I am completely stunned by the beautiful photography on your blog. I have a simple point-and-shoot camera, which so often disappoints me in my inability to "show what I see and feel" that my heart is filled with longing when I see your expertise, but I so truly appreciate it. Thanks so much!
Thank you Sharon. I have been working on improving the quality of the images. I've adjusted some of my settings, and also received a new camera. The Cannon S-95 was designed to deliver quality images from a compact size. I must give all credit to Mr. SM…he did the research for me.