Young Hill Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Views

The Young Hill Trail trailhead is found at the east end of the English Camp parking area.

From the parking area, Young Hill Trail immediately enters the woods. The trail climbs steadily for its first 0.9 miles to reach the top of Young Hill. At the 0.2 mile mark, the trail comes out of the woods to cross West Valley Road, and then continues in the woods after crossing the road. A trail junction is reached at the 0.3 mile mark. Go left at this trail junction to follow the Young Hill Trail loop clockwise, as described here. Going right will take one counterclockwise around the Young Hill Trail loop.

The woods thin briefly at the 0.35 mile mark where English Camp Cemetery Spur is on the right (southeast). English Camp Cemetery Spur is a very short side path that leads to a small cemetery with five headstones. These mark the graves of five of the six English soldiers that died here during the 12 years, 1860-1872, that the English were stationed at English Camp.

Continuing to climb moderately, Young Hill Trail reaches another side trail, Young Hill Overlook Spur, on the right at the 0.8 mile mark. Young Hill Overlook Spur takes one to an awesome viewpoint where one looks out over San Juan Islands to Vancouver Island, Canada. After passing Young Hill Overlook Spur, Young Hill Trail soon emerges from the woods to see the top of Young Hill just ahead at the 0.9 mile mark. The top of Young Hill is open and grassy, also providing great views.

Passing the Young Hill summit, Young Hill Trail descends through grassy, rocky terrain that is dotted with trees, for the next 0.35 miles. The trail then levels off as it continues through the thinly wooded, grassy lower slopes of Young Hill. Young Hill Trail ends after completing a loop to arrive at the trail junction at the 0.3 mile mark on Young Hill Trail.

Forested with firs and deciduous trees. Grassy areas dotted with trees also, especially higher up.