Submitted by Lopez Community Trails Network

National Trails Day is Saturday, June 4.

It is celebrated throughout the country with many public activities, including some here on Lopez. Trails related groups will have two tables at the Farmer’s Market. They include BLM as San Juan Islands National Monument, San Juan County Land Bank, Lopez Community Trails Network (Lopez Trails), Lopez Island Conservation Corps, County and State Parks, with support from San Juan County Community Health and others.

Activities:

• Farmer’s Market meet up with sponsors from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

• Beach cleanup (starts @ Watmough Parking Area) at Iceberg Point along with the ongoing social trails project at 10:30 a.m.

• Ferry-to-Village guided hike—assemble at Penny Lane by Ferry Terminal at 10 a.m.

• Village-to-Ferry guided hike – assemble at Farmer’s Market at 2 p.m.

• Hiking at Lopez Hill – starts at Lopez Hill parking area at 2:30 p.m.

• For more information visit sjclandbank.org.

Lopez Trails created the Lopez Walkabout, a full island long walk during one weekend each September (17-18 this year), as a demonstration project of the benefits of off-road trails. It’s open to members (sign up with just your email). For National Trails Day, the most northern part of the Lopez Walkabout, from the ferry to the village, will be hiked in each direction. It’s a little over two hours long. Hike from the Penny Lane Preserve at the ferry, through Odlin Park, past Odlin South (which is closed for breeding season), across private pastures, beside Lopez Tents and Cottages, through Lopez Winery, then two more private pastures and into the village.

Lopez Trails is now just over six years old, having started in late 2009 with an astounding 29 people attending the first meeting. It has grown to more than 365 members. Lopez Trails promotes non-motorized transportation, with trails connecting our islands places: ferry to village, village to school, school to everywhere, parks and monument to each other and trails within the village, etc. Working with partners, like those which helped assemble National Trails Day, the Lopez Trails group has expanded its influence, demonstrating the benefits of community trails, sponsoring monthly hikes and meetings. Check out the website at LopezTrails.org

Come to the Farmer’s Market for details. Look for the Lopez Community Trails Network banner.