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Washington

Two-Island Trek: Great Coastal Hikes in the San Juan Islands

Program No. 16296RJ
Enjoy coastal and forest hikes and explore unique ecosystems while learning about conservation efforts and wildlife preservation efforts on two of the San Juan Islands.

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Protecting the Environment

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At a Glance

Revel in the seascapes of untold beauty with expert naturalists, marine educators and environmentalists who lead you into their backyard world of the San Juan Islands and Salish Sea. Consider the environmental issues of the prairie bluff, beach, mountain and old-growth forest ecosystems. Journey by ferry to Orcas Island to witness the profusion of life and the fragility of beauty along Washington’s fabled diamonds of the emerald seas.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Walking 2-6 miles daily on varied terrain and boarding vans.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

What You'll Learn

  • Enjoy coastal and wooded hikes on San Juan Island with views of the beach and mountains.
  • Hike the old-growth forest on Orcas Island and around mountain lakes of Moran State Park and Mount Constitution.
  • Search for Orcas and other marine mammals of the Salish Sea from the vantage point of the Limekiln Lighthouse.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Profile Image
Cindy Hansen
Cindy Hansen, born in Gary, Indiana, received a bachelor’s degree in zoology from the University of Washington and previously worked as a whale watch naturalist, education curator for The Whale Museum, and an expert at a gray whale camp at Laguna San Ignacio in Baja. She is currently the education and advocacy coordinator for Orca Network, and volunteers for the research organizations Orca Behavior Institute and Wild Orca. She also volunteers for Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and with the local animal shelter.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Cindy Hansen
Cindy Hansen View biography
Cindy Hansen, born in Gary, Indiana, received a bachelor’s degree in zoology from the University of Washington and previously worked as a whale watch naturalist, education curator for The Whale Museum, and an expert at a gray whale camp at Laguna San Ignacio in Baja. She is currently the education and advocacy coordinator for Orca Network, and volunteers for the research organizations Orca Behavior Institute and Wild Orca. She also volunteers for Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and with the local animal shelter.
Profile Image of Shona Aitken
Shona Aitken View biography
Shona Aitken has a degree in ecology and a background in environmental education in her home country of Scotland, and from two years spent in Sweden. She is currently the education coordinator for Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center on San Juan Island. She teaches people about local wildlife and increases awareness of the impact of human activities on wild creatures.
Profile Image of Bill Engle
Bill Engle View biography
Bill Engle is a retired postmaster of Shaw Island. He grew with a mountain-climbing father and a gardening, birding, environmental activist mother, and has always had a passion for the outdoors. He has lived in the San Juan Islands for more than 30 years and is the founding president of the San Juan Islands Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society. Before becoming postmaster, his role as a part-time flex clerk placed him in every post office in San Juan County.
Profile Image of Kathleen Foley Lewis
Kathleen Foley Lewis View biography
Kathleen Foley is the Stewardship Manager of the San Juan Preservation Trust and has been a staff member since 2005. In this role, she oversees the management of 30+ different nature preserves, conducts annual monitoring visits, and coordinates restoration activities and youth education. She is a Washington native with a long history of exploring the San Juan Islands and enjoys a wide variety of outdoor pursuits. Kathleen lives with her son, Evan, and partner, Bill, near the lovely False Bay on San Juan Island.
Profile Image of Randy Martin
Randy Martin View biography
Randy was a NAIA intercollegiate soccer player while he earned a bachelor’s in exercise physiology from Pacific Lutheran University. Randy is one of Washington’s most successful high school coaches with more than 15 years of experience. Randy holds a United States Soccer Federation National Coaching License, and has directed individual soccer camps and team clinics throughout Washington, Oregon and Montana. Randy is on the board of directors for Friday Harbor FC where he also coaches his children, and serves as the club's director of coaching.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Meals
16 Meals
6 Breakfasts
5 Lunches
5 Dinners
The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Low Salt, Low Salt, Vegetarian, Gluten Free
Lodging
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Display
Sep 29, 2024 - Oct 05, 2024
  • Sep 29, 2024 - Oct 05, 2024
  • Jun 09, 2024 - Jun 15, 2024 (Seattle to Friday Harbor, San Juan Island)
  • Jul 13, 2024 - Jul 19, 2024 (Seattle to Friday Harbor, San Juan Island)
  • Aug 03, 2024 - Aug 09, 2024 (Seattle to Friday Harbor, San Juan Island)
  • Sep 07, 2024 - Sep 13, 2024 (Seattle to Friday Harbor, San Juan Island)
  • Sep 21, 2024 - Sep 27, 2024 (Seattle to Friday Harbor, San Juan Island)
  • Sep 29, 2024 - Oct 05, 2024 (Seattle to Friday Harbor, San Juan Island)
  • Oct 05, 2024 - Oct 11, 2024 (Seattle to Friday Harbor, San Juan Island)
  • May 17, 2025 - May 23, 2025 (Seattle to Friday Harbor, San Juan Island)
  • Jun 21, 2025 - Jun 27, 2025 (Seattle to Friday Harbor, San Juan Island)
  • Jul 05, 2025 - Jul 11, 2025 (Seattle to Friday Harbor, San Juan Island)
  • Aug 02, 2025 - Aug 08, 2025 (Seattle to Friday Harbor, San Juan Island)
  • Sep 06, 2025 - Sep 12, 2025 (Seattle to Friday Harbor, San Juan Island)
  • Sep 20, 2025 - Sep 26, 2025 (Seattle to Friday Harbor, San Juan Island)
  • Sep 28, 2025 - Oct 04, 2025 (Seattle to Friday Harbor, San Juan Island)
  • Oct 04, 2025 - Oct 10, 2025 (Seattle to Friday Harbor, San Juan Island)
1 night
Seattle
The Crowne Plaza Seattle Airport is located directly across the sky bridge from Seattle Tacoma International Airport and adjacent to the Light Rail station, less than 1/2 mile from the airport.
5 nights
Friday Harbor
Friday Harbor Suites is an all-suite facility featuring spacious suites with a bedroom, bathroom, dry bar, and living room. Some suites have two queen-size beds, with one queen-size bed in the bedroom and one queen-size bed in the living room. Note: If you require a suite with two queen beds, please contact the Skagit Valley College Road Scholar office approximately 30 days prior to the start of your program. We can be reached at 360-378-3265 or at roadscholar@skagit.edu and are available M-F (8am-5pm PST). All room requests will be accommodated based on availability. The hotel is a great in-town location accessible to museums, galleries, restaurants, and services.
1 night
Seattle
The Crowne Plaza Seattle Airport is located directly across the sky bridge from Seattle Tacoma International Airport and adjacent to the Light Rail station, less than 1/2 mile from the airport.
5 nights
Friday Harbor
Friday Harbor Suites is an all-suite facility featuring spacious suites with a bedroom, bathroom, dry bar, and living room. Some suites have two queen-size beds, with one queen-size bed in the bedroom and one queen-size bed in the living room. Note: If you require a suite with two queen beds, please contact the Skagit Valley College Road Scholar office approximately 30 days prior to the start of your program. We can be reached at 360-378-3265 or at roadscholar@skagit.edu and are available M-F (8am-5pm PST). All room requests will be accommodated based on availability. The hotel is a great in-town location accessible to museums, galleries, restaurants, and services.
1 night
Seattle
The Crowne Plaza Seattle Airport is located directly across the sky bridge from Seattle Tacoma International Airport and adjacent to the Light Rail station, less than 1/2 mile from the airport.
5 nights
Friday Harbor
Friday Harbor Suites is an all-suite facility featuring spacious suites with a bedroom, bathroom, dry bar, and living room. Some suites have two queen-size beds, with one queen-size bed in the bedroom and one queen-size bed in the living room. Note: If you require a suite with two queen beds, please contact the Skagit Valley College Road Scholar office approximately 30 days prior to the start of your program. We can be reached at 360-378-3265 or at roadscholar@skagit.edu and are available M-F (8am-5pm PST). All room requests will be accommodated based on availability. The hotel is a great in-town location accessible to museums, galleries, restaurants, and services.
1 night
Seattle
The Crowne Plaza Seattle Airport is located directly across the sky bridge from Seattle Tacoma International Airport and adjacent to the Light Rail station, less than 1/2 mile from the airport.
5 nights
Friday Harbor
You will stay in a stylishly renovated local Inn, proudly preserving the comfortable simplicity of its classic motor inn structure completely renovated with natural design choices and a full complement of modern, more upscale features and amenities. Inn amenities include heated indoor pool, jacuzzi, dry sauna, day spa on site, conference room, coin-op self-laundry on-site and limited exercise facility on-site. The Earthbox Inn is easy walking distance (1-3 blocks) from all of the Friday Harbor amenities and just 3 blocks from the waterfront.
1 night
Seattle
The Crowne Plaza Seattle Airport is located directly across the sky bridge from Seattle Tacoma International Airport and adjacent to the Light Rail station, less than 1/2 mile from the airport.
5 nights
Friday Harbor
You will stay in a stylishly renovated local Inn, proudly preserving the comfortable simplicity of its classic motor inn structure completely renovated with natural design choices and a full complement of modern, more upscale features and amenities. Inn amenities include heated indoor pool, jacuzzi, dry sauna, day spa on site, conference room, coin-op self-laundry on-site and limited exercise facility on-site. The Earthbox Inn is easy walking distance (1-3 blocks) from all of the Friday Harbor amenities and just 3 blocks from the waterfront.
1 night
Seattle
The Crowne Plaza Seattle Airport is located directly across the sky bridge from Seattle Tacoma International Airport and adjacent to the Light Rail station, less than 1/2 mile from the airport.
5 nights
Friday Harbor
Friday Harbor Suites is an all-suite facility featuring spacious suites with a bedroom, bathroom, dry bar, and living room. Some suites have two queen-size beds, with one queen-size bed in the bedroom and one queen-size bed in the living room. Note: If you require a suite with two queen beds, please contact the Skagit Valley College Road Scholar office approximately 30 days prior to the start of your program. We can be reached at 360-378-3265 or at roadscholar@skagit.edu and are available M-F (8am-5pm PST). All room requests will be accommodated based on availability. The hotel is a great in-town location accessible to museums, galleries, restaurants, and services.
1 night
Seattle
The Crowne Plaza Seattle Airport is located directly across the sky bridge from Seattle Tacoma International Airport and adjacent to the Light Rail station, less than 1/2 mile from the airport.
5 nights
Friday Harbor
You will stay in a stylishly renovated local Inn, proudly preserving the comfortable simplicity of its classic motor inn structure completely renovated with natural design choices and a full complement of modern, more upscale features and amenities. Inn amenities include heated indoor pool, jacuzzi, dry sauna, day spa on site, conference room, coin-op self-laundry on-site and limited exercise facility on-site. The Earthbox Inn is easy walking distance (1-3 blocks) from all of the Friday Harbor amenities and just 3 blocks from the waterfront.
1 night
Seattle
The Crowne Plaza Seattle Airport is located directly across the sky bridge from Seattle Tacoma International Airport and adjacent to the Light Rail station, less than 1/2 mile from the airport.
5 nights
Friday Harbor
You will stay in a stylishly renovated local Inn, proudly preserving the comfortable simplicity of its classic motor inn structure completely renovated with natural design choices and a full complement of modern, more upscale features and amenities. Inn amenities include heated indoor pool, jacuzzi, dry sauna, day spa on site, conference room, coin-op self-laundry on-site and limited exercise facility on-site. The Earthbox Inn is easy walking distance (1-3 blocks) from all of the Friday Harbor amenities and just 3 blocks from the waterfront.
1 night
Seattle
The Crowne Plaza Seattle Airport is located directly across the sky bridge from Seattle Tacoma International Airport and adjacent to the Light Rail station, less than 1/2 mile from the airport.
5 nights
Friday Harbor
Friday Harbor Suites is an all-suite facility featuring spacious suites with a bedroom, bathroom, dry bar, and living room. Some suites have two queen-size beds, with one queen-size bed in the bedroom and one queen-size bed in the living room. Note: If you require a suite with two queen beds, please contact the Skagit Valley College Road Scholar office approximately 30 days prior to the start of your program. We can be reached at 360-378-3265 or at roadscholar@skagit.edu and are available M-F (8am-5pm PST). All room requests will be accommodated based on availability. The hotel is a great in-town location accessible to museums, galleries, restaurants, and services.
1 night
Seattle
The Crowne Plaza Seattle Airport is located directly across the sky bridge from Seattle Tacoma International Airport and adjacent to the Light Rail station, less than 1/2 mile from the airport.
5 nights
Friday Harbor
Friday Harbor Suites is an all-suite facility featuring spacious suites with a bedroom, bathroom, dry bar, and living room. Some suites have two queen-size beds, with one queen-size bed in the bedroom and one queen-size bed in the living room. Note: If you require a suite with two queen beds, please contact the Skagit Valley College Road Scholar office approximately 30 days prior to the start of your program. We can be reached at 360-378-3265 or at roadscholar@skagit.edu and are available M-F (8am-5pm PST). All room requests will be accommodated based on availability. The hotel is a great in-town location accessible to museums, galleries, restaurants, and services.
1 night
Seattle
The Crowne Plaza Seattle Airport is located directly across the sky bridge from Seattle Tacoma International Airport and adjacent to the Light Rail station, less than 1/2 mile from the airport.
5 nights
Friday Harbor
Friday Harbor Suites is an all-suite facility featuring spacious suites with a bedroom, bathroom, dry bar, and living room. Some suites have two queen-size beds, with one queen-size bed in the bedroom and one queen-size bed in the living room. Note: If you require a suite with two queen beds, please contact the Skagit Valley College Road Scholar office approximately 30 days prior to the start of your program. We can be reached at 360-378-3265 or at roadscholar@skagit.edu and are available M-F (8am-5pm PST). All room requests will be accommodated based on availability. The hotel is a great in-town location accessible to museums, galleries, restaurants, and services.
1 night
Seattle
The Crowne Plaza Seattle Airport is located directly across the sky bridge from Seattle Tacoma International Airport and adjacent to the Light Rail station, less than 1/2 mile from the airport.
5 nights
Friday Harbor
You will stay in a stylishly renovated local Inn, proudly preserving the comfortable simplicity of its classic motor inn structure completely renovated with natural design choices and a full complement of modern, more upscale features and amenities. Inn amenities include heated indoor pool, jacuzzi, dry sauna, day spa on site, conference room, coin-op self-laundry on-site and limited exercise facility on-site. The Earthbox Inn is easy walking distance (1-3 blocks) from all of the Friday Harbor amenities and just 3 blocks from the waterfront.
1 night
Seattle
The Crowne Plaza Seattle Airport is located directly across the sky bridge from Seattle Tacoma International Airport and adjacent to the Light Rail station, less than 1/2 mile from the airport.
5 nights
Friday Harbor
You will stay in a stylishly renovated local Inn, proudly preserving the comfortable simplicity of its classic motor inn structure completely renovated with natural design choices and a full complement of modern, more upscale features and amenities. Inn amenities include heated indoor pool, jacuzzi, dry sauna, day spa on site, conference room, coin-op self-laundry on-site and limited exercise facility on-site. The Earthbox Inn is easy walking distance (1-3 blocks) from all of the Friday Harbor amenities and just 3 blocks from the waterfront.
1 night
Seattle
The Crowne Plaza Seattle Airport is located directly across the sky bridge from Seattle Tacoma International Airport and adjacent to the Light Rail station, less than 1/2 mile from the airport.
5 nights
Friday Harbor
Friday Harbor Suites is an all-suite facility featuring spacious suites with a bedroom, bathroom, dry bar, and living room. Some suites have two queen-size beds, with one queen-size bed in the bedroom and one queen-size bed in the living room. Note: If you require a suite with two queen beds, please contact the Skagit Valley College Road Scholar office approximately 30 days prior to the start of your program. We can be reached at 360-378-3265 or at roadscholar@skagit.edu and are available M-F (8am-5pm PST). All room requests will be accommodated based on availability. The hotel is a great in-town location accessible to museums, galleries, restaurants, and services.
1 night
Seattle
The Crowne Plaza Seattle Airport is located directly across the sky bridge from Seattle Tacoma International Airport and adjacent to the Light Rail station, less than 1/2 mile from the airport.
5 nights
Friday Harbor
You will stay in a stylishly renovated local Inn, proudly preserving the comfortable simplicity of its classic motor inn structure completely renovated with natural design choices and a full complement of modern, more upscale features and amenities. Inn amenities include heated indoor pool, jacuzzi, dry sauna, day spa on site, conference room, coin-op self-laundry on-site and limited exercise facility on-site. The Earthbox Inn is easy walking distance (1-3 blocks) from all of the Friday Harbor amenities and just 3 blocks from the waterfront.





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