Spine Trail Log Circle to Harbor Shelter

Southeast - Head down the Spine Trail toward the suspension bridge.

Northeast - Head down the Pond Trail! You'll be able to see the Learning Tree House across the ravine while making your way to the Pond Shelter.

West - You can head up the Spine Trail (signs usually point to Cattail Marsh and Charlie's Bog) or down the Junction trail to Ichthyology Inn, also known as Fish Tank.

Southeast - Continue down the Spine Trail. toward the suspension bridge or take the trails uphill to Bird's Nest Inn, Invertebrate Inn, and Mammal's Den.

Northeast - Head downhill along Mac's Dam Trail to get to the Pond Bathroom or Mac's Dam.

Northwest - Head uphill along the Spine Trail toward the Spine Trail log circle.

Try navigating northeast from this spot on the Spine Trail to explore around trails to Bird's Nest Inn, Invertebrate Inn, and Mammal's Den. Here's a fun place to start!

This nifty trail behind Bird's Nest Inn is steep but connects directly with the Spine Trail and can be a good route to Mac's Pond or the suspension bridge on the way out and a more direct route home on the way back in.

The suspension bridge over the ravine is one of the highlights of IslandWood's campus. When with students, I usually like to stop around here on the Spine Trail to go over the rules for the suspension bridge so people don't crowd the entrance or try to go on the bridge too early.

Activity ideas:

Can you find the circle, triangle, and pine tree plaques embedded in the trees around the bridge?

How long do different leaves take to hit the forest floor when you drop them from the bridge?

The canopy tower is another highlight of IslandWood's campus. There are sit pads in a bin at the top, and the area inside the fence at the bottom makes for a great lunch spot.

Though part of the Lower Loop Trail is technically closed (check out the closed trail entrance and explore some of the closed trail here), the Lower Loop Trail is still beautiful and super fun to explore. This intersection is a great spot for a break on the way to or from Blakely Harbor because there's a bench and a bathroom nearby. Outbound groups can also pause here to choose which route to take to get to the Harbor Shelter.

This bathroom is a great place to take a break on your way from Main Campus to Blakely Harbor.

This spot on campus feels very magical and secluded. It's not far from the Lower Loop Trail Bathroom or the Lower Loop Trail intersection with the Harbor Trail.

If you feel like exploring to the southwest of here, you'll find a short trail to a closed gate that you can't get through without the proper maintenance keys and codes. It's a nice little trail and view of the Blakely Ave NE intersection with NE Tani Creek Rd, though.

This one is super easy to miss without a careful eye. Perhaps the best landmark is the large Western Red Cedar marking the intersection. You'll know you've gone too far along the Lower Loop Trail if you cross the Old Logging Road to the southeast or if you start heading uphill to the north-northwest on the Loop Access Trail.

This intersection is a good spot to stop for snack or a hiking break. While the Old Logging Road is definitely hikeable from this spot up to the Mill Workers' Cabin (north), it's not good hiking to the south. Heading west or southeast along the Lower Loop Trail is also a great move!

The Lower Loop Trail and the Harbor Trail combine for a short, muddy bit to the east-southeast of this intersection. Check out their other intersection, closer to the Harbor Shelter, at the link.

From here, head northeast for a long hike up to where the Lower Loop Trail meets the Loop Access trail. Or, head west to get to the Lower Loop log circle, then the bathroom, then the Spine Trail.

The Harbor Shelter is a great place for snack/lunch or to shelter from the wind. During the warmer months, there's also a spigot to refill water bottles.

Harbor Shelter Bathroom - The Harbor Shelter Bathroom is nearby to the west-southwest.

This is the gate (not the larger one between here and the Harbor Shelter Bathroom) you'll use to get to and from Blackely Harbor from IslandWood's campus. You can also check out the view of Blakely Harbor Park across Blakely Ave NE at this link or by clicking along the map.