No. 164 Cascade Lake, Orcas Island

Cascade Lake
Moran State Park
Orcas Island


Directions to Moran State Park: starting at the Orcas Island ferry terminal follow Orcas Road for 9 miles to Eastsound Village. Continue driving through town and after approximately 1 more mile take a right onto Olga road. The entrance to Moran State Park will be 3 miles ahead.

Cascade Lake is located on Orcas Island within Moran State Park. Covering an area of over 220 acres this fresh water lake is a popular destination in the summer for family and kids to col off on a hot day. There are plenty of trails that begin at the lake and lead off into all directions. The Cascade Loop trail is about 2.2 miles in length and stays along the shore line. Other trails will take you up the  the Rustic Falls and Cascade Falls





Fishing: The fishing season starts on April 30th and fishing licenses ( about $8 ) can be purchased in Eastsound Village from Eastsound Sporting Goods. Cascade Lake is stocked yearly with rainbows, cutthroat, and kokanee trout. Cascade Lake as well as Mountain Lake and Twin Lakes ( Both just up the road from Cascade ) make for a decent day of fishing. Pick up a watercraft launching permit for $7 and launch your boat. No combustion engines are allowed on the lakes.




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No.93 Mount Constitution

 Mount Constitution at 2,409-foot-high is the highest point on the San Juan Island chain in the Puget Sound. It is located with in Moran State Park which is a 5,252-acre park with five freshwater lakes and over 30 miles of hiking trails, scenic overlooks, waterfalls and wildlife spotting opportunities.
 A 25 minute drive along Mt Constitution Road brings you to the parking lot underneath the observation tower. The stone observation tower was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1936. The tower offers panoramic views of the surrounding islands, the Cascade Mountains and a variety of Canadian and American cities.

Sunset from Mount Constitution

Order Artwork Prints and Greetings Cards of Mount Constitution

San Juan Island Artwork Gallery

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No. 89 Visiting Orcas Island

Orcas Island is the largest island of the San Juan Island Chain in the Puget Sound waters between the United States and Canada.
With a land area of 57.3 square miles and a population of 4,453, Orcas Island is slightly larger, but less populous, than neighboring San Juan Island. Orcas is shaped like a pair of saddlebags, separated by fjord-like Eastsound, with Massacre Bay on the south side, and tiny Skull Island just off the coast. At the northern end of the island is the village of Eastsound, the largest population center on Orcas and the second largest in San Juan County.
Other, smaller towns - or hamlets - on the island include Orcas (where the inter-island/mainland ferry lands), West Sound (technically part of Eastsound), Deer Harbor, Rosario (technically part of Eastsound), Olga and Doe Bay.
Orcas Island is accessible by air via Eastsound Airport or water landings by seaplane as well as by water via the Washington State Ferry system or private watercraft. During the summer season, there is an island shuttle that runs from the ferry landing to Eastsound and other points.

Arrive early or stay late in Anacortes, here are somethings to do in Anacortes

Orcas

The Washington Ferry Terminal is on the south end of Orcas Island. There are a few hotels, gift shops and restaurants within walking distance that you can check out on arrival after the 90min ferry sailing from Anacortes or after stagging in the ferry departure lanes on your departure. Ferry wait times can range from 1 to 3 hours on busy weekend afternoons.




Deer Harbor

Deer Harbor located 25min west of Orcas on the southwest corner of Orcas Islands is main hub for water activities such as kayaking, fishing and whale watching excursions. The town wraps around a small cove and rise up on the hill. Unless you plan on booking an activity, arriving on a personal boat  or staying in a resort the limited public parking and lack of shops or waterfront access won't hold your visit for more than 20min of looking at large private yachts parked in the marina.

Eastsound

At the center of the island, at the top of a beautiful fjord, Eastsound is a walker’s village. It definitely has that small town feel with its narrow roads, one way streets and limited street parking. There are  art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, cafes, and grocery stores within walking distance of the shoreline. However with only 5 parking spots your best bet is to park in the Island Market's parking lot and go explore on foot.
Orcas Island is an ISLAND with locals on ISLAND TIME. Do your best to pack everything you need for your trip especially photo equipment. If you live in a metropolitan area you might need to understand that ISLAND TIME works a bit differently. Shops open late in the morning and close early. Some are closed Sunday and Monday others Tuesday Wednesday. And since getting inventory to an island 90min away on a ferry, the store items are limited.
If you have a special diet, taking meds make sure to bring extra along for your visit.
My favorite spots in Eastsound are the Emmanuel Episcopal Parish with its Labyrinth and the Off-Leash Dog Park.
Beach access on the west and north sides of Orcas Island are mostly  located on Forestry Lands or owned by private people. There is limited beach access to north limited to just under 50 yards between two houses. If you use google maps or a gps unit to find roads and green areas you might find out that they are part of private resort clubs or private do not trespass roads.
If you need to stretch out your legs and arms from the travel getting to Orcas Island, park your car in Eastsound and spend an hour walking through town, then head east to Moran State Park for its lakes, trails and 2400ft high Mount Constitution scenic overlook.

Moran State Park

Moran State Park is a 5,252-acre camping park with five freshwater lakes and over 30 miles of hiking trails, scenic overlooks, waterfalls and wildlife spotting opportunities. Atop the 2,409-foot-high Mt. Constitution, the highest point on the San Juan Islands, there stands a stone observation tower built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1936. The tower offers panoramic views of the surrounding islands, the Cascade Mountains and a variety of Canadian and American cities.

Cascade Waterfall
Rustic Falls
San Juan Artwork Gallery

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No. 88 Cascade Falls, Moran State Park

Where is Cascade Falls?

Cascade Falls is the second waterfall after Rustic Falls along the Cascade Creek, which runs between Mountain Lake and Cascade Lake in Moran State Park. Walk 0.9 miles from the trail head which is located on the east side of Cascade Lake in Moran State Park Orcas Island. From the small town of Eastsound head southeast on Olga Road and it will lead you right into the middle of the Park. After passing Cascade Lake keep left at the fork in the road for another 1/2 mile and you will see the parking lot and trail head for Rustic, Cascade, Canyon, Hidden and Rosario Falls.
    At about 40 feet tall, Cascade Falls is the largest waterfall in the San Juan Islands. Cascade Creek squiggles down a flume, dropping through a jumble of logs and branches before it veils out over a broad bulbous face into a small grotto lined with several old growth cedar trees. While I certainly don't think the waterfalls of Orcas Island are worth seeing alone (especially considering the cost of the ferry), should one find themselves on the island, the quick walk through the park is worth undertaking.

Click here to order a Print of Cascade Falls

Click here to order a Artwork Print

Checkout other Waterfall Images available as greeting cards and larger wall prints 

San Juan Island Artwork Gallery


What can I see and do at Cascade Falls?
The ancient and towering forests keep the Creek and Trail cool and shaded. The giant red cedars and other evergreens that make up the thick canopy are impressive throughout the year. Stroll along the creek side path that connects Mountain Lake to Cascade Lake and enjoy the quiet relaxation afforded by the deep forest.

When is Rustic Falls open?
The Park is open for day use all year long. The campsites and swimming area are open seasonally, as are the park offices. The Falls are at their most active in the winter and spring when the water volume is highest.
How much does Rustic Falls cost?
Moran State Park requires a Discover Pass. You can buy them on a daily basis for $10.00 or for $30.00 you receive an annual Pass. The nearby campgrounds also require an additional fee.
Who can I call if I have more questions?
The Moran State Park Rangers can help you with any questions you might have. (360) 376-2326. Washington State travel, Washington State travel, Washington Destinations, Photography, Photography spost, best things to do in Seattle, Best things to in Washington State, Washington Tourism Alliance, Washington State Tourism board, recommendations, recommendations for things to see in washington state, things to do in washington state, things to do in seattle, things to do in Tacoma washington, Washington Photographers, Washington nikon shooters, best seattle photography, washington exploration, experience washington, what to do while visiting seattle, seattle top attractions, visiting the san juan islands, moran state park on orcas island, mount constitution orcas island, washington san juan islands, landscape photography of orcas island, hiking on orcas island, hikingin the san juan, hikingin the san juan islands, aerial view of orcas island, washington state road trips, washington state ferry, washington photography, washington state landscape photographers, washington state waterfalls, san juan island waterfalls, waterfall photography, what to see on orcas island, experience san juan county, travels through washington

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No.87 Rustic Falls, Moran State Park

Where is Rustic Falls?

Rustic Falls is part of Cascade Creek, which runs between Mountain Lake and Cascade Lake in Moran State Park. The 0.8 mile walk from the trail head is located on the east side of Cascade Lake in Moran State Park Orcas Island. From the small town of Eastsound head southeast on Olga Road and it will lead you right into the middle of the Park. After passing Cascade Lake keep left at the fork in the road for another 1/2 mile and you will see the parking lot and trail head for Rustic, Cascade, Canyon, Hidden and Rosario Falls.


What can I see and do at Rustic Falls?
The ancient and towering forests keep the Creek and Trail cool and shaded. The giant red cedars and other evergreens that make up the thick canopy are impressive throughout the year. Stroll along the creek side path that connects Mountain Lake to Cascade Lake and enjoy the quiet relaxation afforded by the deep forest.

When is Rustic Falls open?
The Park is open for day use all year long. The campsites and swimming area are open seasonally, as are the park offices. The Falls are at their most active in the winter and spring when the water volume is highest.
How much does Rustic Falls cost?
Moran State Park requires a Discover Pass. You can buy them on a daily basis for $10.00 or for $30.00 you receive an annual Pass. The nearby campgrounds also require an additional fee.
Who can I call if I have more questions?
The Moran State Park Rangers can help you with any questions you might have. (360) 376-2326.

Rustic Falls, Cascade Creek

Rustic Falls Print Version 1

Rustic Falls Print Version 2

Click to browse other Waterfalls Artwork available as Greeting cards and large framed Wall Prints

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