Menu
Cascadia Daily News
Facebook Instagram Tiktok Youtube
Get unlimited local news and information that matters to you.
Subscribe Today

Gallery: Mountain biking Orcas Island

The sky is a mix of orange and blue colors as the sun sets.
The sun rises behind Mount Baker at the Anacortes Ferry Terminal on Oct. 9. A sunrise sailing is a solid bonus when setting off for a long day of riding on the island. It's always special when the clouds and sun align just right to illuminate the clouds' underbellies in fiery pink hues. (Andrew Ford/Cascadia Daily News)
Talus Lantz examining a shelf fungi sprouting from the tree while wearing an orange cycling helmet.
Talus Lantz stops to examine some bracket fungi or shelf fungi on a tree. (Andrew Ford/Cascadia Daily News)
Talus Lantz speeds down Mount Pickett DH.
Talus Lantz manuals down Mount Pickett DH, a trail only accessible by pedaling. It is known for high-speed sections surprising you with 180-degree switchbacks at a moment's notice. (Andrew Ford/Cascadia Daily News)
Talus Lantz turns sharply inbetween the trees and dirt.
Talus Lantz slashes a dirt mound on South Boundary Trail on Mount Pickett. Located in Moran State Park, Mount Pickett is a smaller hill in comparison to Mount Constitution. (Andrew Ford/Cascadia Daily News)
Halfway up Mount Constitution Road, a person takes in the view of the trees, mountains, and lake.
Halfway up Mount Constitution Road, a meadow with views of the San Juans often tempts drivers to take their eyes off the curvy road and gives bikers a reason to rest. (Andrew Ford/Cascadia Daily News)
Talus Lantz tweaks his bike over a jump on Powerline trail as he leaps over the dirt.
Talus Lantz tweaks his bike over a jump on Powerline trail on Orcas Island Oct. 9. The older, second-growth forests on Orcas make for undergrowth — a major appeal of the trails on the island. When given decades of time to recover from logging, a forest will absorb dead and fallen trees, and fungus breaks down old logs churning them into a layer of plush, red and brown dirt. (Andrew Ford/Cascadia Daily News)
A ferry dock at the Orcas Island Ferry Terminal with small and large boats idling int he water.
A ferry dock at the Orcas Island Ferry Terminal. Without a reservation, you will almost always be waiting for a late-night ferry. Talus Lantz and Cascadia Daily News visual journalism intern Andrew Ford were on standby for the 7:50 p.m. sailing since the two ferries prior were full. (Andrew Ford/Cascadia Daily News)
Turkeys grazing on the grass as one looks at the camera from the side.
Evening wildlife kept us entertained during the three hours we had to burn while waiting at the terminal. (Andrew Ford/Cascadia Daily News)
Talus Lantz wearing his orange cycling helmet sits on the back of his car as he eats to refuel.
A big ride will certainly necessitate refueling. After completing around 4,300 vertical feet of climbing and 18 miles, the convenient parking in Moran State Park is right at the bottom of Cold Spring trail. You will have to pay for parking or bring a Discover Pass prior to visiting the park. (Andrew Ford/Cascadia Daily News)
Lush green grass and moss blanket cover the ground as a dirt path leads into the forest.
Lush green grass and moss blanket much of the forest floor, leaving only a sliver of dirt where the tires roll. (Andrew Ford/Cascadia Daily News)
Talus Lantz rides his bicycle along the dam, wearing his signature orange bicycle helmet.
Talus Lantz rides along the dam holding the water at Mountain Lake before it drains into Cascade Creek (Andrew Ford/Cascadia Daily News)

Rider Talus Lantz and Cascadia Daily News visual journalism intern Andrew Ford ventured to Orcas Island for a day trip to mountain bike on Oct. 9. Moran State Park on Orcas Island is home to a small selection of some of the best trails in the Northwest region of Washington.

About

Community

Advertise

Subscriptions

Connect

Facebook Brands-x-twitter Instagram Tiktok Youtube