Distance: About 2 miles, with options to make longer loops.
Elevation Gain: 125 ft.
Season: Year-round
Description: This trail let you feel like you are in the mountains, far from civilization. The trail goes around Little Cranberry Lake, with many other trails branching off to the sides and to other destinations. The woods are full of salal, ferns, mosses and lichens. This is a rougher trail, with lots of ups and downs over rocks and branches, and can be pretty muddy in spots. You might see water birds and forest birds. Make sure you get a map so you don’t get lost on the maze of trails in this area! [Caution: There was a fire along the eastern lake shore of Cranberry Lake in the summer of 2016. The eastern shore is closed, necessitating a detour if you want to hike around the lake. Follow Trail 100 out toward the eastern edge of the park. From the the trail turns south. Stay on it until it turns into 104, which will lead you past the water tank and down to the junction at the southern end of the lake. From there, you can pick up trail 132 and continue on the original loop. This route adds about .5 miles to the original loop. According to my contact in the Anacortes Parks Dept., the one section of the trail might be able to be open in spring of 2017. However, the shoreline trail is subject to rockfall, trees falling, and trail erosion, and so will be re-evaluated in the spring of 2017, but the opening date is unclear. Please stay off the closed portions of the trails for your safety.]
Directions: From I-5 north of Seattle, take State Route 20 west to Anacortes. Follow the Hwy 20 Spur route into town, turn right on Commercial Avenue, and then left on 12th Street. You will see signs for the ferries. Turn left on Georgia Avenue, and turn right at the sign for Cranberry Lake. There is a parking lot, but no facilities.
Links: Find where to buy maps for the Anacortes Community Forest Lands here, or print out your own copy. Learn about the native plants you can find around the lake.
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