Washington State Marine Parks

[BETTY-B]

John B recently asked a little about our marine parks in James McMullens excellent thread (http://www.woodenboat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=94271) about overnighting at James Island in the San Juans. I thought it would be a good opportunity, for us that have spent time at them, to share a bit of our personal knowledge. And of course post a poopload of boating pics! I realize there are similar threads on this subject, but here's the new one that has limitless possibilities!:)

I've bought the yearly pass (http://www.parks.wa.gov/moorage/) many times. And have more than got my monies worth each time. It's less than a $150 a year for BETTY-B. And, like James, I like to see them get some dough to pay for it all.

So where all have you been? What's there? Pics?

Washington State Marine Parks (http://www.parks.wa.gov/moorage/parks/)

I really have had a much harder time than I thought I was going to have in finding pictures! Here I thought i would just rip a zillion out. Ha! Anyways, here's Stewart Island (http://www.parks.wa.gov/moorage/parks/mooragedetail.asp?location=Stuart%20Island%20Marin e%20State%20Park):

Coming in to Reid Harbor:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d10/Bridgedeck/SJs/temp705.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d10/Bridgedeck/SJs/temp717.jpg



This is all the way in Reid. You can just make out the park dock on the right there. The trail goes across the island to Prevost Harbor on the other side. There's lots of campsites in there. And running water. Pack your trash out though.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d10/Bridgedeck/SJs/temp768.jpg

Here's a campsite at the head of the dock on the other side in Prevost on another trip. BETTY was actually on the hard in PT at the time. So I bought a dinghy on San Juan Island and went camping.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d10/Bridgedeck/SJs/sj05016.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d10/Bridgedeck/SJs/sj05014.jpg



DAN

I'm scouring hardrives for more.......

[BETTY-B]

Prevost Harbor:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d10/Bridgedeck/DANandULA/sj05017.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d10/Bridgedeck/SJs/PT007.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d10/Bridgedeck/SJs/PT003.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d10/Bridgedeck/SJs/PT008.jpg

[TimH]

Great for Kayak camping too.

[Yeadon]

Pelican Beach, on Cypress Island ... looking south.http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3186/2900477663_df57cfd81b.jpg

Pelican Beach, looking north ...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/2901320100_c8bcc4d8bf.jpg


There's also a Washington Water Trail park just under the bridge in La Connor. A nice little secret spot, from which you can go in town and drink beer. One rule though ... no engines.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3219/2983253670_13c8695362.jpg

I'll have more photos at the end of summer.

[Lew Barrett]

Here's a nice story, but sorry, no pics.

In 1950, following the war, and with 50,000 pleasure boats in our waters, the Washington State Parks Commission determined that it would be prudent to set aside some land and marine areas for the use of boaters and the expected growth in interest in cruising. As it happens though, the State Parks Commission had no boats that would be suitable for surveying the region, especially the areas around the San Juan Islands where many of the parks were expected to be required. So they asked for volunteers to ferry them around. In response, the commodore of the Bellingham Yacht Club offered his boat and services for the purpose of making the surveys and selecting the sites. The Parks commissioners liked what they saw, and so Raleigh Main and his boat, Migrator III ferried and hosted the commissioners as they reviewed and selected suitable sites for the parks. All the patks were thus selected with Raleigh and Migrator III's help.

When we got Migrator III in 1994, we re-christened her "Rita."

I'll scan some of the old newspaper clippings and put them up.

Needless to say, we've visited all the parks in the islands, but I'm sorry to report I have very few if any photos of them.

[Paul Girouard]

Thats a cool bit of history Lew. Cool thread as well , nice job!

I wonder what the current budget crunch will do to the parks? I read in our little paper a couple of State parks here on Whidbey , Ft. Casey and South Whidbey IIRC may have reduced staff or maybe it was shut down to save $$.

[pcford]

Cool thread as well , nice job!



Yes indeed. Looking forward to summer. We are lucky to live where we do.

[Michael Beckman]

I wish they had a yearly pass for campsites. They get expensive fast.

[David G]

How about the annual outing to Sucia. I've yet to attend, but I understand it's marvelous:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Sucia/photos/album/0/list

http://d.yimg.com/kq/groups/13193017/sn/1163389451/name/n_a

http://d.yimg.com/kq/groups/13193017/sn/1946357007/name/n_a

[rbgarr]

My daughter has used the system for kayak camping as mentioned above. I wish the Maine Island Trail had simialr state support at least as far as secure moorings goes.

[BETTY-B]

One thing many of the parks have are floating docks that are not connected to the land. Which is great for the dog. I did a couple unexpected days at Cornet Bay around the corner from the boiling waters of Deseption Pass. Which can get real busy in the summer. Having the floating dock all to ourselves was nice.

There's another good one all the way in the back of Reid that is usually available even when all the moorings all the way out are full.

Cornet Bay. My, that was many dollars and planks ago.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d10/Bridgedeck/SJs/SanJuans067.jpg

Checking out the waters by skiff at Deception Pass:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d10/Bridgedeck/SanJuans059.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d10/Bridgedeck/SanJuans060.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d10/Bridgedeck/SanJuans063.jpg

[BETTY-B]

I wonder what the current budget crunch will do to the parks? I read in our little paper a couple of State parks here on Whidbey , Ft. Casey and South Whidbey IIRC may have reduced staff or maybe it was shut down to save $$.

The final decisions are yet to be made. I know if I were to write our wonderful Governor, it would not be very constructive. Maybe someone else has a solution or 23 million to give though:

http://www.parks.wa.gov/current.asp

Current Information

State Parks budget reductions expected for 2009-11 biennium

With our state and nation in a deep economic recession, the Governor and Legislature are faced with a budget challenge. Washington State Parks must do its part in reducing expenditures in the 2009-11 budget to help meet the challenge.

The Governor’s budget proposal, announced in December, was based on a revenue forecast that predicted a 5.7 billion revenue shortfall. The Governor’s budget, requires State Parks to take a 10 percent budget cut (approximately $10 million in general fund). More recently, the state’s revenue forecast was predicted to have a revenue gap of more than $8 billion. As the Legislature creates its budget for the Governor to sign in late spring, this greater challenge may require State Parks to make even deeper expenditure reductions that will affect parks and services. The Legislature has asked State Parks to prepare a scenario that would reduce the State Parks budget by approximately $23 million. The Legislature will adopt and the governor will sign a final budget into law in late spring, then the Commission will implement the final budget.

Public comment may be sent to pao@parks.wa.gov. All comment received from the public will be shared with the Commission.

[C. Ross]

Checking out the waters by skiff at Deception Pass:


That set of pictures are particularly spectacular, Dan. You guys ARE awfully lucky, it's good to see you're all grateful for it, too! Someday the San Juans...

[BETTY-B]

That set of pictures are particularly spectacular, Dan. You guys ARE awfully lucky, it's good to see you're all grateful for it, too! Someday the San Juans...

Grateful we are indeed. The San Juans are right out that door there! We're waiting for ya, Cris.

Some where here I have some pics taken from a classic S&S going through Deception of BETTY-B.

Ok here's one taken right on the outside of the pass. You can see a blury BETTY-B veering to Port because of the fishing nets that the guy in the Sparkman and Stevens is oblivious to.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d10/Bridgedeck/BETTY-B/SanJuans010.jpg

Since this thread is pretty much about messing about in boats, I can get away with a little thread drift picture right? Not that messing about in boats is up on the list of payed attention to things around here anyways.:rolleyes:

[Paul Girouard]

Have you even been thru canoe pass DAN? The smaller pass of the two , the northern one. It's a hoot in a small skiff!

[BETTY-B]

I never have Paul. Maybe a little bit. I've had some good times ripping the skiffs around the area anyways.

One time, right after I got BETTY, I made the mistake of timing the pass exactly opposite. It was before I lived in PT but had stayed the previous night there. I showed up to a full rushing flood coming out of there! my good friend who was with me was just saying "why dont we just go for it?" So we sat out front and had our first beer of the day and I made the decision that BETTY would make it. So in we went. It's a dang eery feeling running through that boiling water with the boat crushing rocks on all sides looming large. It's one thing if you go with it, but against is a scary ride in an old gal like BETTY. Not anymore though. She's got all my confidence and more.

[BETTY-B]

There's a bunch of youtube vids of it out there:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B3sd0XRFBE&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBn8S4bv8Bo&feature=related

[Paul Girouard]

We used to fish for Salmon right in what we call the hole , some call it "The hold", on the west side of the south bridge , tucked in pretty close to the rocks / ledge. The fish follow that land mass . It can get quite hairy in there with 10 or 20 boats and a few fish on. Ah the good ole days!

I've been fishing off north beach and watch more than one larger boat get stopped by the current ripping out thru there. :eek: Commercial fishing boats , or more than likely Indian fishermen, headed back into La Conner.

[Yeadon]

I once took Big Food through Deception Pass. It was a very desensitizing experience.

[rbgarr]

My wife and daughter at Deception Pass :D

http://i42.tinypic.com/23ushtd.jpg

[TimH]

I cant wait for summer....

Thanks for the great pics Dan!

[Lew Barrett]

To Dan's point about "it's different going through with you...."


I mistimed Deception Pass once. Not that it was mistimed exactly, but I went through south bound on a flood. I assumed that there would be just a few knots of current pushing us through. I read 16 knots with both engines just barely over idle. Here's the thing; you have no steerage. I hit an eddy or whirlpool at the south end and that 50 foot boot turned sideways and just about tripped through the slot. Of course, the speeding Sea Ray coming through the other way never even slowed or turned. The jerk just kept on coming, so the two of us, two jerks, crossed paths with eyes wide as saucers. It was a hairy moment, I guarantee. And quite terrifying. If I were ever to need to do it again, I'd go through wide open just so I could steer her. But I'll never do it again.
So you can have "fun" with it or against it. But in the future, I'll wait for the slack or not go at all because I'm a chicken. You ought to try Seymour Narrows sometime when you have to drive through against the current. Hope you're not in a rush!

[James McMullen]

Deception Pass. . . . .20 minutes from my front door on a bicycle. Always take visitors from out of town to go see it!

The way to go through it with a rowboat is with the current, facing downhill, backing down against it and ferrying, just like rowing a whitewater driftboat. Stay way the hell away from the eddylines unless you're really, really comfortable with your boat.

[Thorne]

What's that narrow one between Thetis and Kuper islands -- lots of fun with the right tide....and a dinghy.

[Yeadon]

Deception Pass. . . . .20 minutes from my front door on a bicycle. Always take visitors from out of town to go see it!

The way to go through it with a rowboat is with the current, facing downhill, backing down against it and ferrying, just like rowing a whitewater driftboat. Stay way the hell away from the eddylines unless you're really, really comfortable with your boat.

I understand why you might want to go through drift-boat style. It would be nice to see what is happening.

I went through Deception Pass about 2/3rds through a flood with a friend at the helm, and me rowing like hell. He was the eyes, I was the engine. We got whipped around the edges of a half dozen whirlpools ... several were awfully deep and my oar only caught air as I rowed past.

Helluva ride. I had my gps as I went through, you can see the recording here. (http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=129705)

Other than an hour spent on the wrong side of a riptide just north of Shilshole, I don't think I've ever rowed so hard, for so long.

[BETTY-B]

I was hoping we could cover a lot more parks here. Isnt there anybody else with info or pics of the other parks?

DAN

[rbgarr]

I went through Deception Pass about 2/3rds through a flood with a friend at the helm, and me rowing like hell. He was the eyes, I was the engine. We got whipped around the edges of a half dozen whirlpools ... several were awfully deep and my oar only caught air as I rowed past.

Helluva ride. I had my gps as I went through, you can see the recording here. (http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=129705)

It looks like you were making 8+ knots over the ground for a while. :D

[mick allen]

For non-powered boaters, the major kayak clubs of BC Canada with the BC government are in the thick of establishing a marine trails network covering all the coasts, inlets, and some linked accessible rivers and lakes of BC. The idea is to secure an inconnected network of campsites within normal paddling distance from each other. Further information can be obtained from the website:

http://www.bcmarinetrails.org/


http://www.bcmarinetrails.org/images/bc_map.jpg

Information on new or existing unorganized campsites is also being collected for this purpose at the forum:
http://www.westcoastpaddler.com/community/viewforum.php?f=13&sid=4e7bcb5eb986c7a6fc750cbfeb1117c5

Sections of this ongoing grand idea are close to being initiated.

mick allen
BC Marine Trails Network - director

[James McMullen]

And the same sort of things Mick is talking about in B.C. Canada is found in Washington State as the Washington Water Trails Association (http://www.wwta.org/trails/) They have a huge network of waterside campsites throughout Washington State dedicated for use by human powered beachable watercraft--kayaks, canoes, rowboats and sail & oar boats only--no motors allowed! You can paddle or row from Olympia all the way north to the Canadian border with something like 50 campsites to choose from, and there are other networks of trails for the lower Columbia River down to the sea and the Snake river in Idaho to the upper Columbia.

It is frickin' awesome to be able to travel for over a hundred miles self-contained in a little boat throughout Puget Sound with campsites available every 5-10 miles apart reserved for us low and no-impact boaters. The WWT is one of the reasons I moved up here.

[Don Kurylko]

What a grand idea Mick, but would rowing and small, open sailing boats (beach cruisers) be welcome? From the FAQ page of the website:

Who is the trail for?
The trail is for kayakers and canoeists from around the world.

[Yeadon]

I've used a Washington Water Trail campsite ... the rules include little boats without engines. Your boats would be more than welcome at a WWT site.

There was a forumite who had created a google map with overnight spots in Puget Sound. I can't remember who it was that made it. Anybody remember? It would fit well on this thread.

[mick allen]

but would rowing and small, open sailing boats (beach cruisers) be welcome?


Yes, rowing craft or beachable sailing cruisers would be fine. In all cases the craft needs to be able to be drawn above the high tide line as good anchorage is not part of this enterprise though anchorages likely will exist in a good number of places.

(Note that there is another coordinated enterprise by the sailing organizations of BC that have established safe havens for vessels that do require anchorage, up the coast of BC . )

We probably won't show sailing craft in the promo brochures or website (as the larger sizes are a cutoff point), but we are actively looking for good, relevant, and contextural rowing craft pictures.

For scale purposes, we are in the process of reviewing about 600 campsites right now and intend to add to that number.

-mick

[James McMullen]

If you join the Washington Water Trails Association you will get a fantastic guidebook to all of the sites as well as supporting the organization's efforts to provide these sites. All of my friends are members. . . .

[rbgarr]

Deception Pass. . . . .20 minutes from my front door on a bicycle. Always take visitors from out of town to go see it.

Is that store that sells different kinds of jerky still there? What a treat that was, tasting all the different samples.

[Don Kurylko]

Thanks Mick,

I’ll see if I can dig some beach cruiser photos up for you. Post them to http://www.westcoastpaddler.com (http://www.westcoastpaddler.com/) or ?

Good luck with the project. It will be fantastic when done - real boon to the small boat community.

[mick allen]

I’ll see if I can dig some beach cruiser photos up for you. Post them to http://www.westcoastpaddler.com (http://www.westcoastpaddler.com/)

That'd be fine, thanks.
-mick

[Lew Barrett]

What's that narrow one between Thetis and Kuper islands -- lots of fun with the right tide....and a dinghy.

Between Telegraph Harbor and Clam Bay? I'm not sure it has a name.

I've seen big boats go through there at high tide, but damned if I'd ever try that. I have rowed through it though. Clam Bay; the seemingly nice anchorage off Trincomali can be a tough spot to get caught in a northerly but is really pleasant in either guaranteed settled weather or for lunch. I see a lot of people anchored there over night, but if you really check it out, it's very exposed.

[mick allen]

Between Telegraph Harbor and Clam Bay?



I believe it's called 'The Cut'.

[Paul Girouard]

Is that store that sells different kinds of jerky still there?


What a treat that was, tasting all the different samples.



Yes and no. The company , I'm pretty sure this is the one your asking about ,

http://www.seabolts.com/

is still in business BUT they moved into Oak Harbor into a then new, a couple of years ago , building.

They have a restaurant now as well so they expanded the business in some ways by moving.

That little shop out by the Pass and the gas station 'quick-mart' beside / attached to the shop you are talking about is vacant.


It's hard to run a business out there unless you go totally seasonal , which few business can do.

It least thats what tends to happen with all the different types of businesses that I've seen come and go there. They do well for a season then close after a few years of struggling with the ebb and flow of business.

[James McMullen]

rbgarr, I dunno 'bout the jerky store . Paul seems to know more than I do about it. SeaBear, which makes all kinds of smoked salmon and smoked oysters and smoked clams and stuff is on the same block as Emerald Marine though, and I frequently stop by there on the way home to buy the irregularly cut "factory second" filets of salmon for a fraction of retail--superior fish that doesn't meet the size or shape guidelines for their packaged product.

[Lew Barrett]

I believe it's called 'The Cut'.

Is that a name or a description? :D;)

[mick allen]

Is that a name or a description?


weeelllll, half-cut would be a description of something - but the name of that little narrows is 'The Cut'.

[Bob Triggs]

Michael Beckman will love this info!

[CharlieCobra]

Bowman Bay is a good place to wait for the flow to change if you wanna shoot Deception:

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee13/CharlieCobra03/May%20Cruise/DCP02346.jpg

The dock. Surprisingly, it was deep enough to motor Oh Joy alongside to load passengers when the dinghy motor croaked.

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee13/CharlieCobra03/May%20Cruise/DCP02343.jpg

Camping smoke.

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee13/CharlieCobra03/May%20Cruise/DCP02347.jpg

[BETTY-B]

Is that a good overnight anchorage, Charlie? I've never stopped there.

DAN

[CharlieCobra]

As long as the wind is not from the SW, it's ok. You have to pass within 100' of Indian Head on the East side of the entrance to stay off the reef and watch for Coffin Rocks on the approach. The depth at low tide is about 20' on average on the East side by the little public floating dock. It's very quiet and empty. We were the only boat in there the few times I dropped the hook there. There are 5-6 mooring balls on the NW side but I didn't go over to them. I just dropped the hook for free.

[Yeadon]

North Cove at Jones Island.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2506/4024965318_d178c2f328.jpg

Cross in the woods at Jones Island.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2696/4024180055_695715fa04.jpg

One of the many small islands at Sucia.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3506/4024882710_137ab2667d.jpg

The larger bay to the east side of Sucia (but looking west).
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3478/4024112911_1d1fd25530.jpg

A blurry photo of James Island.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3484/3855639929_b17774346b.jpg

[Yeadon]

East cove at James Island.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2590/3855637129_34d5f70274.jpg

Spencer Spit, looking east.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2600/3856425910_b479f4cca5.jpg

Spencer Spit, tide going out as the sun sets.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2584/3855634081_69873ee4ae.jpg

Spencer Spit, looking north toward Orcas.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2540/3855626383_0ceba628fb.jpg

Approaching Turn Island, near Friday Harbor.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2667/3855601339_1f5f1b0928.jpg

Dinner at Turn Island.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2506/3855604515_df16fd1fa3.jpg

[Yeadon]

Not a marine park ... but as long as you stay below high tide line, you can stop most anywhere for a bit and relax. This is just outside Peavine Pass.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2603/3855591919_3d6a6ecea0.jpg

If you stop at Pelican Beach at the north end of Cypress Island, you should take the hike up to Eagle Cliff. Here you can look west across the San Juans. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2603/3856376262_32a915cc33.jpg

The Center for Wooden Boats is also a stop along the Washington Water Trails. You may not have known this. There is a day-use rack currently at the north end of the main dock near the Boat House.

Several forumites are in the below photo ... far left is Robbie Bumpus, next to him is Eric Hvalsoe, then Mrs. TwoMeterTroll (Erica) in the white shirt, Dave [who is not on WBF, as far as I know], JohnW in the black hat and black shirt, Ernie the TwoMeterTroll in the orange shirt, and Walt [not on the forum]. The woman in the orange vest is Eric's wife, Diane, who built that baidairka a year or so ago.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2523/3810774042_3650505377.jpg

If you travel on the water without an engine, you are welcome to use the Washington Water Trails campsite recently built by the city of La Connor. It's located under the east side of the big red bridge. Town is a seven minute walk north.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3148/2982396981_f9afe645a3.jpg

I have no idea where this was ... probably somewhere I stopped to make a cup of coffee.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3210/2960096881_795ea43095.jpg

[Yeadon]

There's a nice dock at Doe Island, a bit north of Peavine Pass.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3596/3470861849_8d48e87cda.jpg

And very nice campsites.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3384/3470819363_30ce15e823.jpg

But Doe Island is mostly know for its views.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3633/3471671844_8794f77d06.jpg

[Yeadon]

Near Washington Park, Anacortes.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3394/3470959387_29ae3b9a32.jpg

[KAIROS]

My choice is Sucia Island....especially in the off-season (chart below). In late September. Nice trails with neat views. In good weather Echo Bay is fine. The moorings at the head of Fossil Bay are better with simple trail access.

I haven't got up the nerve to poke into the tiny nook indicated by the arrow. I always envy whatever boat is in there. I'm sure it's not too shallow when the tide range is not extreme, as there have been pretty big boats in there.

Off season. Unless you prefer a social event.

http://www.yachtflyers.com/chart.gif

[James McMullen]

What a nice thread! Whatever happened to that guy who started it? I haven't seen him around lately.

[Bob Triggs]

What a nice thread! Whatever happened to that guy who started it? I haven't seen him around lately.

Yes, and a very good man his is!

We Want Him Back!!!:mad:

[TimH]

Near Washington Park, Anacortes.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3394/3470959387_29ae3b9a32.jpg

Nice!

[tomlarkin]

One of my favorite places is Hope Island, just inside Deception Pass. It's just a few miles from a free launch ramp at Snee-Oosh.

Paddling our 6-hour canoes around the South end of the island:
http://donutboat.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/013_13a_thumb.jpg

A short break on the beach:
http://donutboat.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/015_11a_thumb.jpg

Spectacular sunsets over the San Juan's:
http://donutboat.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/img_1833_thumb.jpg

[Yeadon]

I love those dowel breasthooks at the stem of your six hour canoe. Very simple and clean.

[tomlarkin]

They're nice boats. I made the left one a little bigger and made the seat back fold down so I could nest the other one inside it. They were designed to fit inside my van.
http://donutboat.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/011_15a_thumb.jpg

[Thad]

Thanks for renewing this thread!!

[cape5]

This is a great thread! thanks all!


James Island in the fall. The entire island is a park, so you can walk all around and through and over it.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2697/4090661690_94b63f648c.jpg


The tiny dock at James Island. Anchoring is OK too. James has 3 moorings, one in this cove, and 2 more on the other side (Yeadon has a foto of one of the east coves in post#48)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2680/4090661986_6989751494.jpg

[cape5]

Turn Point Light on Stuart Island. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2698/4089894509_942efaae9c.jpg


Reid Harbor, Stuart. Lots of moorings, plenty of room to anchor, and docks too. But beware in a S wind!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2445/4089896343_68374e8bda.jpg



Tip Top, Stuart. Stuart is partly WA state park and partly private lands The lucky folks that own Tip Top had to post it because of problems. :( But here's a foto. :)http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2584/4090667032_51e9dfe8b8.jpg


Another view of Turn Point. Our southern resident orcas often go past here in the summer. There’s a great view from the cliff, but no safety railing!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2666/4089895879_97cf3609c9.jpg

[cape5]

This is the north end of Cypress Island. Mt. Baker is in the background, and Eagle Cliff is the tall point on Cypress. If you sail around to the other side of Cypress, you’ll come to Pelican Beach, and can grab one of the moorings there (beware of the strong current), and hike up to eagle cliff if the trail is open. There are some perigrine falcons that nest on the cliffs, and they ask that you avoid the area during nesting season (spring).
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This was the view one day looking W from eagle cliffs on Cypress. In the right hand side of the photo is a passage between Orcas and Obstruction Islands. On the Orcas side is Obstruction Pass Park, with 2 buoys and room for anchoring. I was there once years ago, and watched as 3 longboats full of teenagers landed. They set up in the campground onshore, took possession of the beach, jumped in the water, and generally ran around the woods. It was like watching a truckload of puppies get loose!:eek: :D
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Here’s another view of Obstruction island, Eagle cliff on Cypress, and Mt. Baker.
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[cape5]

On the S end of San Juan Island is American Camp, which includes Cattle Point and the lighthouse. If you hike up to Mt. Finlayson, you can look out from Cattle Pass in the east, and over the Straits ( of Juan de Fuca) to the south:
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One time I came upon some locals (and their dog) flying radio-controlled gliders on Mt. Finlayson. On that day the Olympic Mountains were visible- not always true! The plane above the mts is really a glider with a 3-foot wingspan. But the boat in the water is really a 30-footer!
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It’s an all day adventure crossing the Straits (if you average only 5 knots!) Sailing through Cattle Pass at the end of a long day really feels like I’ve “arrived”. That's Cattle Island in the middle of the channel (and foto). There's a counter current that flows behind it if the main pass current is against you, but I've never tried it.
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On this crossing we were lucky to encounter orcas! That’s Mt. Finlayson above the whale-watch boat, and the white Cattle Point light is on the right.
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[TimH]

Nice shots! Thanks. Hopefully next summer I will spend a lot of time poking around up there.

[cape5]

Griffin Bay is the big bay defined by the curving SE end of San Juan island. This is the place to anchor and go ashore at American camp. I like to anchor off Jakl’s Lagoon.
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The trail to Mt Finlayson and the rest of the park passes behind the lagoon. There’s a peaceful driftwood beach here, and lots of birds to watch. Sometimes the ravens are watching you!
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You can sometimes see Mt Baker from the anchorage too:
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Looking north from Jakls after a showery squall. The lamp is lit, there's a fire in the stove, and we're holding glasses of wine in our mittened hands, heads poking out of the companionway. Bliss!
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[cape5]

Jones Island has a small dock and some moorings in the north cove, (Yeadon's #47) but if the weather is settled, I like the 2 sunny south bays, each with one mooring, though there is some room for anchoring too. All of Jones is a park, so you can walk around, over, through....

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From the west side of Jones. I suggest taking a flashlight if you are over here to watch the sunset. Jones’ forest is fairly thick! :o
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There are some lovely madronna (aka arbutus) here...
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[Alan H]

I don't get up to the San Juans often, but I do get into the Case Inlet in the South Sound a lot. Jarrell Cove, McMicken Island, Stretch Island. Love 'em.

[TimScearce]

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Kestrel on a mooring bouy at Matia State Park, just east of Sucia Island. One of my favorite spots in the San Juan Islands

[AstoriaDave]

Those are some lovely shots. Here are some photos from a September gathering of Bartender fans on Sucia: http://www.pbase.com/bartenderdave/btgt2009