Cady Mountain

Cady Mountain offers a quiet, forested trail system rich in biodiversity and natural beauty. Located in the heart of San Juan Island, it’s part of one of the largest contiguous conservation areas in the archipelago—an “island within an island” where forest-dependent wildlife can thrive in relative seclusion.

The 2021 addition to the preserve, acquired by the San Juan County Conservation Land Bank, expanded the protected area by 142 acres and now serves as a key link in a broader trail network. It connects to English Camp, Mitchell Hill, and the Roche Harbor Highlands, offering access to a diverse backcountry landscape.

A standout feature of this preserve is its Douglas-fir woodland. The upper portion of the trail passes along the edge of a rare G1/S1 Douglas-fir–Alaska onion grass plant community, considered one of the most imperiled woodland types in the region. Hikers will also encounter intermittent streams, mossy rock outcrops, and a variety of native plants including calypso orchids, prairie star, shooting stars, and healthy stands of Western red cedar and Western hemlock.

While the trail does not reach the summit, it provides a deeply immersive experience through one of the island’s most ecologically significant forest environments. Occasional west-facing viewpoints and varied terrain make for a peaceful and rewarding hike.

Bicycles and equestrians are permitted; these uses predate Land Bank ownership and are part of the trail’s longstanding character. (Please note: no equestrian facilities are available at the trailhead—riders access the trail from West Valley Road.)