Cypress and Strawberry Islands

The Strawberry Island Campsite on Rosario Strait

 Rating: SKIII

Distance:  16NM

Date:  Sept. 23, 24, 2000

Leader:  Pete Schwab                        Participants:  6

Launch:   10:00am Saturday               Return:  5:30pm Sunday

Weather:   Both days were completely clear with temperatures in the low 70s.  Breezes but no wind.  Nights in the low 50s.

Description: The Cypress Island circumnavigation with a camp at Strawberry Island is definitely one of those really special overnight trips.  Simple, low mileage, and plenty of fun to be had along the way.
    We launched from Washington Park just outside of Anacortes and had, as a goal, Strawberry Island, a mere 5 nautical miles distant.  The plan was to paddle due west, get well out into Rosario Strait, and then catch the flood north to Strawberry.  We deviated to some extent, heading a little more north than west, and paid a small price.  The current we wanted to ride north also floods into Guemes Channel.  Breaking through it to gain the Rosario Strait current took about an hour, about half of which was in eddys created by the changes in direction of the flood.  Next time we'll stick to the plan.  Free of the Guemes current, we found ourselves at Strawberry in no time. During the flood there are fairly strong rips, eddys and whirlpools off the west end of Strawberry.  The landing beach lies behind them.  To get to the beach we headed for the east end of the island and then followed the south shore, avoiding the rips entirely.

At Play in the rips south of Strawberry

    From the small beach on Strawberry you just follow the trail about 50 yards across to the other side of the island.  There are 3 campsites, all located on the cliff's edge above the water.  Beautiful views of Orcas Island and 5 or 6 other San Juan Islands. The camp area includes a fire ring (if you can find any wood) and some really nice picnic tables.  There's also a trail to a port-o-let.  The trail extends all the way to the east end of the island and proved a nice little afternoon diversion.  But for most, the diversion was found in the rips at the west end of the island.  A great place to play!

            These guys'll wake you in the night                                Superb views from Eagle Cliff

    Sunday morning dawned a beautiful day.  After a good breakfast we loaded up the boats and headed for the north end of Cypress on the flood.  At the north end we paddled below the 850 foot Eagle Cliff , then rounded the corner and put in at Pelican Beach.  Nice camp area there but too many people around.  We had a couple of hours on our hands since we wanted to wait for the tide to change allowing us to ride the ebb back to Washington Park, so we had lunch on the beach and then hiked the trail to the top of Eagle Cliff.  It's a nice little twenty minute hike with an 850 foot altitude gain.  The views from the top are incomparable.  The entire San Juans are laid out before you.

Eagle Harbor on the East side of Cypress Island

    From Pelican we headed south to Cypress Head.  The Head is famous for it's rips but on our trip, passing the Head at slack, there were none.  From the Head we crossed over to Guemes and ran into a whole series of back eddys.  Even at the beginning of the ebb the water was moving and boiling enough to keep you busy.  The rest was a breeze.  Paddle to the south end of Guemes Island and ferry, with the ebb, over to Washington Park.  The easiest way to locate the Park is to head for the ferry terminal.  The park is about half a mile west of the terminal.

Tides/Currents: 

1.  If you're catching the flood from Washington Park with the intention of riding it up to Strawberry you'll want to know that the flood is also entering Guemes Channel and will try to block your exit.  The key is to head due west and get a least a mile out into Rosario Strait, then you can ride the flood north, free of the influence of Guemes Channel.  On your way out into Rosario you'll be crossing a couple of pretty decent eddys.  Not bad, but not for beginners.

2.  The west end of Strawberry Island has some really nice rips, eddies, and small whirlpools while the tide is flooding.  If you're going to land on Strawberry, head for the Cypress (east) side of the island.  Then you can paddle along the south shore and  into the beach by simply paddling around and inside the rips.  Incidentally, once camped, these rips are a great place to play.

3.  On the east side of Cypress Island there can be significant rips off Cypress Head.  On our trip we experienced none.  The tide was slack and there was no wind.  Know this area well.  Read "Deep Trouble" and you'll find an account of the dangers to be found here.

4.  If you're crossing from Cypress towards the south end of Guemes Island you'll experience some pretty strong back eddys.  With no wind, and the tide just beginning to ebb, we had 5 or 6 eddy lines to cross.  And that's in good weather!

Charts:

San Juan Current Guide, Pages 2 and 3.
Chart # 18421 - Strait of Juan de Fuca to Strait of Georgia
Chart # 18423 - Bellingham to Everett including San Juan Islands
Chart # 18430 - Rosario Strait - northern part.

Directions to Launch Site: From I5 @ Hwy 16 it takes about 2 hours  (120 miles) to get to the Washington Park launch site. Drive north on I5 to Hwy 20 (North Cascades Highway) and go west. Follow 20 to Anacortes and continue on SR 20 Spur (follow the signs to the ferry).  When you get to the right turn that leads down to the ferry terminal, just go straight. After going past the  terminal turnoff go 0.7 miles to Washington Park.  Follow the sign to the "Beach Area" for close temporary parking to unload.  See below for overnight parking.

Facilities:

1.  Washington Park:  Use the "Beach Area" access to park as close as possible to the beach for launching.  Then move your car over to the "Picnic Area" for overnight parking.  The fee is $3 (verified May 2004).  You'll see the little money drop station as you enter the grassed parking area.

2.  Washington Park has port-o- lets near the beach area.

3.  On Strawberry there are 3 campsites and a port-o-let up in the woods.  The beach will accommodate several kayaks and it's pretty easy to keep them above the high tide line.

4.  On the northeast side of Cypress Island, Pelican Beach has campsites (too populated), bathrooms, and the trail to Eagle Cliff.

5.  On the southeast side of Cypress lies Cypress Head.  Camping (DNR), potties etc.

Sample Magazine Submittal:  Cypress Island (SKIII). 16NM. A late season overnight in the San Juans.  We'll travel about 5 NM to Strawberry Island, set up camp, do a little exploring, or play in the rips off the west end of Strawberry. On Sunday we'll complete the circumnavigation of Cypress with an extended break, after we round the northern end of the island, to hike to the top of Eagle Cliff while we wait for the tide to change. Limit 8 participants. Wet or dry suit required.       

References: 

Scott, James W., and Melly A. Reuling. Washington Public Shore Guide. Seattle: University of Washington Press. 1986. pp. 52-55.

Washburne, Randel. Kayaking Puget Sound, the San Juans, and Gulf Islands. Seattle: The Mountaineers. 1996. pp. 118-122.

McGee, Peter. Kayak Routes of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Seattle: The Mountaineers.  1998. pp. 37.