Saved from possible development when it was bought for $18.5 million as public land in 2007, Orcas' second mountain (rising to 1519ft) was in private hands for so long that most people had forgotten what was there. The answer: fragile wetlands, Garry oak savannah, spectacular overlooks, wild orchids and acres of solitude. It now has trails open to hikers (daily) and bikers/horseback riders (alternate days). There are two trailheads; one is on Crow Valley Rd, while the other (best) one is Wild Rose Lane near Deer Harbor and has a steep 1.3-mile trail that leads to Ship's Peak and a view that rivals the one from Mt Constitution.
Horse-trail riding on the mountain is run out of nearby Turtlehead Farm for $60 an hour.
