Orcas Island Tour |
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Route Overview
Touring, Bikepacking, & Urban Discovery in Puget Sound
Pronounced [OR-cuss], this is the crown jewel of the San Juan Islands.
Soaking tubs and a sauna with a view wait for you at the other end of this scenic and hilly island. Reserve a campsite or yurt at Doe Bay or camp back at Moran State Park.
Be intrepid and tackle the optional 1800' climb of Mt Constitution! Breathtaking panoramas are well worth the effort. Highest point in the San Juan Islands, go get it!
Route Details
overview
Bring your climbing legs and camera, this island rewards every ounce of effort with fantastic views. Any bike with decent low gears will do, and though the route is not entirely paved, skinny tires will work. Hills are your primary challenge on this route, but with food never more than 10 miles away, packing light is possible.
TIP: reserve a yurt at Doe Bay and leave the tent at home!
Getting started:
- Get to Anacortes Ferry Terminal, overnight parking available. Nearest Amtrak at Mt. Vernon, 20 flat miles away
- Ferry to Orcas costs ~$15 roundtrip for rider w/ bike
- Check ferry schedules, it can be a long wait for the next boat!
The Route:
- Orcas Ferry Terminal - last food for 10 miles
- Killebrew Lk / Dolphin Bay Rd - smooth gravel/pavement solitude
- Orcas Rd - more traffic here, but downhill to Eastsound
- Eastsound Village - Stock up here. Last good grocery stop for 20-30 miles. Only bike shop on the island.
- climb a bit, then
- Moran State Park - Washington's sprawling 4th largest state park. Shipbuilder and Seattle Mayor Robert Moran donated his estate to become a park in 1921. inspired by conservationist John Muir.
Mt Constitution - (optional climb) 4.5mi each way, 9mi total. 1800' up. Incredible panorama. Allow an hour or so for the climb, I stash my heavy gear out of sight near the gate.
Olga - tiny town with a dock and a master potter, resident Jerry Weatherman
Buck Bay Shellfish Farm - open seasonally, just around corner from Olga
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- Soaking tubs & Sauna located creekside with ocean view ($15 entry waived for overnight guests)
- bicycle friendly & cozy
- massage and yoga classes
- kitchen available for campers to use
- tiny convenience store ($$), bottles of beer and snacks
- Doe Bay Cafe ($$) excellent local cuisine. Check seasonal hours.
- return the same way to Eastsound then savor some quieter riding via:
- Orcas Rd back to ferry, you're done!
Not feeling the epic summit ride?
- Take a hike! Check out Turtleback Mountain Preserve
- 3 mile loop trail to viewpoint at 900'
- A grove of native gnarled Garry Oak trees await on the relatively open slopes
- Bike rack at trailhead just 1.3 miles off the route.
WHY [Or-Cuss] not [Orc-uhs]?
Though you may be lucky and see some Orca whales on your adventure, the island is not named for them. It bears the name of a Spanish viceroy -- more accurately -- a portion of a portion of his extravagant name. Take a deep breath... Juan Vicente de Güemes Padilla Horcasitas y Aguayo, 2nd Count of Revillagigedo, Viceroy of Mexico, sponsor of an expedition to explore the islands in 1791. Orcas came from Horcasitas. His name was also used for nearby Guemes and San Juan Islands, as well as Padilla Bay, what a generous guy!
