Isabella Carter
Mount Constitution, located in Moran State Park, is the tallest island peak in the state of Washington, standing at 2,399 feet. It offers breathtaking views of the San Juan Islands, Vancouver Island, and Victoria on a clear day. While it is possible to drive to the summit, hiking is a popular alternative, with trails offering a peaceful journey through the forest and the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the park. The hike to the top of Mount Constitution can vary depending on the chosen trail and starting point, with some hikers opting for a longer loop that includes additional elevation gains and losses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Elevation | 2,399 feet |
| Location | Orcas Island, Moran State Park, Washington |
| Difficulty | Difficult |
| Length | 2.2 miles |
| Elevation Gain | 430 feet |
| Time | 15-20 minutes to the top |
| Views | Mountain Baker, the Cascades, Mount Rainier, San Juan Islands, Vancouver Island, Victoria |
| Starting Points | Cold Springs, Mountain Lake, West Boundary |
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What You'll Learn
The hike can be completed in a day
Mount Constitution, located in Moran State Park, is the tallest island peak in the state of Washington, standing at 2,399 feet. While it is possible to drive or bike to the summit, hiking is a great option for those who want to enjoy the beauty of the park. The hike can be completed in a day, and there are several access points and different routes to reach the top.
One popular route is the Cold Springs Loop Trail, which offers a rewarding day hike with unparalleled views across the Salish Sea to Mount Baker. The trail begins with a steady climb through the forest, showcasing a variety of moss and incredible views of Mountain Lake, the Salish Sea, and distant mountain peaks. At the junction with a trail from Cold Springs, hikers can continue straight, passing by Summit Lake and then along the ridge to Mount Constitution.
Another option is to start from Mountain Lake and head towards Little Summit and Summit Lake. At the trail junction after about a mile, hikers can choose to take a short side trip to Little Summit before resuming the main trail. Continuing on, the trail offers more views as it climbs towards Mount Constitution. From the summit, hikers can descend quickly towards Twin Lakes or take a longer loop back with more elevation changes to complete the Cold Springs loop.
The Little Summit Trail is another challenging option, rated as difficult. This 2.2-mile trail gains 430 feet in elevation and provides a direct route to the summit, connecting with several other trails. For those looking for a shorter walk, it is possible to drive or bike partway and then start the trek on the Little Summit Trail.
The hike to Mount Constitution offers a variety of experiences, from peaceful trails through the forest to stunning views of mountains, islands, and blue skies. With options for side trips and different loops, hikers can customize their journey to suit their preferences and fitness levels. Whether taking a leisurely approach or challenging themselves, hikers can complete the hike in a day and be rewarded with breathtaking panoramas from the summit.
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The trail offers views of the San Juan Islands
Mount Constitution, located in Moran State Park on Orcas Island, offers breathtaking views of the San Juan Islands. The island is accessible by ferry from Anacortes, and the park is open annually, though it may close during heavy snowfall.
The trail to the summit of Mount Constitution takes hikers through a forest, where they can observe a variety of moss species, and offers sweeping views of the San Juan Islands. On clear days, hikers can see as far as Mount Rainier, with Mount Baker and the San Juans as highlights. The Salish Sea shimmers in the distance, dotted with tree-capped islands, and closer by, Mountain Lake is visible below.
The Cold Springs Loop Trail is a rewarding day hike that offers incredible views. The trail begins with a steady climb through the forest, and as it opens up, hikers are treated to stunning vistas. The trail continues along the cliff line, where views of mountains, islands, and blue skies abound.
The Mount Constitution trail offers a unique experience, combining intimate forest walks with sweeping views. The stone fire lookout tower at the summit, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, provides 360-degree panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The tower is a highlight of the hike, offering even more expansive vistas from its top deck.
The hike to Mount Constitution's summit can be challenging, but the views of the San Juan Islands and beyond make it well worth the effort. Whether you're hiking, biking, or driving to the summit, the trail offers a memorable experience in the heart of Washington's natural beauty.
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The trail begins and ends at Mountain Lake
The trail to the top of Mount Constitution begins and ends at Mountain Lake in Moran State Park, Orcas Island. The park offers breathtaking panoramas, with views of the San Juan Islands, Vancouver Island, and Victoria on a clear day. The trail takes you through a forest, with a variety of moss and wildlife, and offers sweeping views of the surrounding landscape.
The hike can begin near the group camp, heading towards Little Summit and Summit Lake. At the trail junction, you can continue forward or take a short detour to Little Summit before rejoining the main trail. As you climb, you'll be treated to stunning views of the mountains, islands, and blue skies. The trail then passes by the outlet of Summit Lake and continues along the ridge before reaching the top of Mount Constitution.
At the summit, you'll find an enclosed room with 360-degree views, providing a unique perspective of the surrounding area. The tower is a stone fire lookout tower, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and is considered one of the most impressive structures in the Washington State Park system. From the tower, you can see Mount Baker, the Cascades, and even Mount Rainier on clear days.
After taking in the views from the summit, you can descend via the same route or opt for a longer hike by completing the Cold Springs loop, which offers more elevation changes and different scenery. The trail back is peaceful, with the melody of the forest providing a serene backdrop to your journey. Overall, the hike to the top of Mount Constitution and back offers a challenging yet rewarding experience, with the opportunity to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the area.
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The trail passes through a forest
Mount Constitution, located in Moran State Park on Orcas Island, is the tallest island peak in the state of Washington, standing at 2,399 feet. It offers breathtaking views of the San Juan Islands, Vancouver Island, Victoria, Mount Baker, the Cascades, and even Mount Rainier on a clear day. While it is possible to drive or bike to the summit, hiking is a popular option for those who want to enjoy the beauty of the park.
The trail to Mount Constitution passes through a forest, offering hikers an intimate and unique experience. The forest is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including moss, baby hemlock trees, squirrels, and a variety of bird species such as woodpeckers. The trail begins near the group camp at Mountain Lake and heads towards Little Summit and Summit Lake. At the trail junction after about a mile, hikers can choose to continue forward or take a short side trip to Little Summit before returning to the main trail.
As hikers climb through the forest, they are treated to the sounds of frogs croaking, birds singing, the wind rustling through the trees, and flowing water. The trail then leads to larger, older trees and eventually opens up to reveal stunning views. Below lies Mountain Lake, surrounded by a dense green forest, with the Salish Sea shimmering in the distance, dotted with tree-capped islands.
The trail continues along the cliff line, offering even more breathtaking vistas. From here, hikers can see the blue and green waters of the San Juan Islands, creating a panoramic view that extends from horizon to horizon. The path then splits, with one direction leading to the tower at the summit and the other to the parking lot and restrooms. The tower, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, offers a 360-degree view from the top, allowing visitors to take in the beauty of the surrounding landscape.
The Cold Springs Loop Trail is a rewarding day hike that offers two options for the return journey. One option is an easy hike back down the same route to the trailhead. The other option is a longer hike with more elevation changes, completing the Cold Springs loop. This trail passes through the forest, offering hikers a chance to immerse themselves in nature and appreciate the beauty of the diverse ecosystem of Mount Constitution.
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The tower at the summit offers 360-degree views
Mount Constitution, located in Moran State Park on Orcas Island, is the tallest island peak in the state of Washington, rising to an elevation of 2,399 feet. While it is possible to drive to the summit, hiking is a great way to experience the beauty of the park. There are several access points and different routes to reach the top, including the Cold Springs Loop Trail.
The hike to the summit of Mount Constitution can be challenging, with different trails offering varying levels of difficulty. The Little Summit Trail, for example, is rated as difficult due to its elevation gain. The Cold Springs Loop Trail offers a rewarding day hike, providing incredible views along the way. The trail begins near Mountain Lake and climbs steadily, opening up to reveal Mountain Lake surrounded by dense green forest, with the Salish Sea shimmering beyond. The trail then continues along the cliff line, offering stunning views of mountains, islands, and blue skies.
In addition to the tower, Mount Constitution also features a visitor centre and restrooms. The road to the summit is typically open annually but may close during heavy snowfall for safety reasons. Locals often visit Mount Constitution in early summer mornings to witness spectacular sunrises over Mount Baker. Even on crisp, foggy days, the San Juan Islands offer a mysterious and wondrous sight.
Whether you choose to hike, drive, or bike to the summit of Mount Constitution, the tower at the top awaits with its 360-degree panoramic views, providing a perfect culmination to your journey through the breathtaking landscapes of Moran State Park.
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Frequently asked questions
The time taken to hike Mount Constitution depends on the trail chosen, the fitness level of the hiker, and the number of breaks taken. The Little Summit Trail, for example, is a 2.2-mile trail that gains 430 feet in elevation and is rated as difficult. On average, a hiker walks at a speed of 2 miles per hour, so this trail could take around 1 hour, excluding breaks.
Mount Constitution is located in Moran State Park on Orcas Island, Washington. To get to Orcas Island, you can take a ferry from Anacortes, which is approximately 2 hours north of Seattle. Once on Orcas Island, you can hike, bike, or drive to the Mount Constitution trailhead. Hitchhiking is also mentioned as an option by one source.
Yes, there are several access points to the trail and different routes to reach the top of Mount Constitution. Popular trails include the Cold Springs Loop Trail, the Mountain Lake Trail, and the Little Summit Trail.
Mount Constitution offers unparalleled views across the Salish Sea to Mount Baker, the Cascades, and even Mount Rainier on clear days. You can also see the San Juan Islands, Vancouver Island, and Victoria from the top of the mountain or the tower.
Yes, it is possible to drive to the summit of Mount Constitution. However, hiking, biking, or walking up the mountain is recommended to fully enjoy the beauty of Moran State Park and the surrounding areas.
