“Take a serene woodland walk to this wild marine coastline. Observe the active harbor seal community on nearby rocky reefs. Remote and breathtaking views of windswept islands and wildlife.”

A one-mile trail sets out through a thick forest carpeted in salal. Pass a handful of old firs spared the ax and after a short descent, reach the rocky shoreline (elev. 20 feet/6 m). Turn south and walk on ledges along Cattle Pass, its strong currents separating Lopez from San Juan Island.

Continue along a rocky and grassy bluff framed by windblown shore pines and return in a loop. Seek a sunny sitting spot and enjoy the scenery. Across the channel, Mount Finlayson rises above the golden lawns of Cattle Point. Dallas Mountain, highest point on San Juan Island, peeks out just to the northwest. Look south to the Olympics, hovering above the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and east to Iceberg Point. Directly in front of you in the channel are Deadman Island and a series of reefs and offshore rocks. At low tide, these areas teem with seals.

This special site consists of 40 wooded acres on the west side of Lopez Island, just south of Fisherman Bay off Shark Reef Road. San Juan County Parks continues to manage the property for low-impact usage.