Climbing Mt. Constitution on Orcas Island, from Rosario Resort

A July 2012 climb of Mt. Constitution (2409') Rosario Resort at ocean level.  Around 2,500 vertical feet of climbing and around 12 miles round trip.  There are many other starting points higher up, for example at Cascade Lake, or even at Cold Springs on the summit ridge for a shorter trip.  Overall, a very interesting variety of terrain with some stunning views near the top of the Straight of Georgia, Rosario Strait, and numerous islands in the San Juans and Gulf Islands.

Rosario resort starting point:

Trail entrance from Rosario at the top of one of the condo complexes:

Between Rosario and Cascade Lake:

 The dam at the end of the lagoon connected to Cascade Lake, not one of the most scenic spots:

 Salal along Cascade Lake lagoon:

Pretty Cascade Lake:

Cliffs along the lake:

Kayakers in Cascade Lake:

 The swimming area at the lake:

 Even a snack bar:

Cascade Lake swimmers:

 The trail from Cascade Lake heading up towards Cold Springs and the summit:

Climbing through mossy slopes:

 Lush, dense moss:

 As elevation rises, sunny, incredible, open meadows:

Nearing the summit ridge:

Mossy rocks along the trail:

The sign at the point where the summit ridge is first gained.  Most of the elevation gain is complete at this point:

Pond on the summit ridge near cold springs.  Probably a good idea to filter this:

Near cold springs:

Sign just after cold springs at the junction between Mt Constitution and the little summit:

Near Summit Lake:

Between Cold Springs and the summit tower:

Incredible vegetation near the summit:

 Looking down at Mountain Lake far below from near the summit:

Looking northeast across the southern end of the Straight of Georgia from near the summit:

Mt. Constitution summit tower:

Looking towards Canada up the Straight of Georgia from the summit:

Looking east towards Lummi Island and Clark and Barnes Islands:

 Trail map posted at the summit:

 Cliffs along the trail near the summit:

Cold Springs:

Cold Springs:

Roundtrip from Rosario Resort to Mt. Constitution, about 2500 vertical feet of gain, about 12 miles of distance round trip, and round trip time of 6 hours at a moderate pace.