The landing site on the south side of Saddlebag. Beach logs, and lots of stairs up the berm to the camp sites
Guemes and Saddlebag Islands
Rating: SKIII
Distance: 19 NM
Date: May 28-29, 2004
Leader: Pete Schwab Participants: 2
Launch: 0900 Friday Return: 2:00 pm Saturday
Weather: We hit a really nice weather window on this one. Rained on us all the way north from Seattle until we got into Skagit County. Leaving Washington Park the sky was overcast but with a rather high ceiling, no wind, and probably around 50F. In the afternoon we had some sun breaks followed by sunny skies in the late afternoon and evening. Friday night and Saturday remained dry until we left the parking lot at Washington Park...and the bottom fell out. Good skies, light breezes, and perfect paddling temps. That says it all.
Description:
We launched from Washington Park on a mild flood, followed the shoreline till we were just beyond the ferry landing, and then made the ~2 mile crossing over to Guemes and the Bellingham Channel. We could have shortened the crossing by traveling further east but we'd have run the risk of the current pushing us into Guemes Channel and having to fight our way back to the Bellingham Channel. Our option worked well and, being fairly early in the day, boat traffic was at a minimum.
Bellingham Channel north to the tip of Guemes was uneventful and quite pleasant. There's a fair amount of housing along the west side of the island but not so much that you feel as if your on an urban paddle. The views of the "Cones", Sinclair, and Lummi Islands are spectacular.
A mile or so after rounding the north point of Guemes we had a lunch break and the sun actually peeked out for a while. Heading south towards Saddlebag brought more and more sunbreaks until, finally reaching Saddlebag the sun was out in force and remained that way for the balance of the afternoon and evening. Our first stop was on the south side of the island. There's a decent stairway up the bluff to the camp sites. A quick recon on foot brought us to the north side where we discovered a pretty bay a more camp sites. These north side campsites are NOT fronted by a bluff. They're located just above the berm with one site being right smack on the beach (perfect for good weather). Having seen all this we returned to the boats and paddle around to the north side to set up camp. We sure didn't missing carrying our gear up all the steps on the south side of the island. The weather was spectacular all evening. No cold weather clothes were donned.
The landing site on the south side of
Saddlebag. Beach logs, and lots of stairs up the berm to the camp sites
The north side beach. No beach logs and only a
few steps to the camp sites.
Sunday dawned overcast but still dry. We launched around 10 and headed out for Washington Park. Since we were a few hours ahead of our planned schedule we ran into the flood current between Saddlebag and Huckleberry Islands. It slowed us down a little but then, the tides weren't much to speak of on that day. On another day you might find yourself really struggling against the flood in that area. Between Huckleberry and Cap Sante there was a lot of boat traffic to consider. Nothing really dangerous but it's definitely a place to be on your toes. And so it went, back to Washington Park, load all the gear in the car, drive two blocks, and damned if it didn't start raining cats 'n dogs! Unbelievable luck!
Tides/Currents:
1. The tide rip that sets in the vicinity of Cypress Head is formidable.
Exercise extreme caution!
2. A large and dangerous turbulence
zone develops west of Saddlebag Island. Currents between Saddlebag and
Huckleberry Islands can
be difficult if you're paddling against the current.
3. The shallow depths in Padilla Bay, east of Saddlebag, make this area
dangerous during high winds.
4. Guemes Channel is very busy with pleasure boats and shipping traffic.
Charts:
Sea Trails Marine Maps - WA001
Rosario Strait and Bellingham Channel / Padilla Bay (Recommended! Shows topography, current directions).
NOAA Chart # 18421. Strait of Juan de Fuca to Strait of Georgia.
San Juan Current Guide, Pages 3, 4.
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 (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.
Sample Magazine Submittal: Guemes and Saddlebag Islands (SKIII). 19NM RT. Why not make a 4-Day weekend out of a three day? Tell your employers the tides and currents can’t be planned around them! On Friday (11 NM) we’ll launch from Anacortes and paddle the west side of Guemes, then down the east side to Saddlebag where we’ll spend the night. Saturday (8 NM) we’ll check out Hat Island, then cross over to Cap Sante and back to Washington Park. That still gives you Sunday and Monday to clean up the gear and relax. Wet or dry suit required.
References:
Washington Water
Trails Association
http://www.wwta.org/
Washington State
Parks
http://www.parks.wa.gov/
Guemes Island
Ferry
http://www.skagitcounty.net/Common/Asp/Default.asp?d=PublicWorksFerry&c=General&p=ferry.htm
