Sucia island
It’s one of the most northern islands in the san juan island group, shaped like an open hand. For thousands of years it was used for seal hunting by native American Indians. In the 1960s most of the island and its cluster of tiny islands became a state park thanks to the efforts of local yacht clubs. It’s considered the most visited of all the islands, around 100,000 boaters annually. Because it was early fall, we almost had the place to ourselves. There are plenty of tiny driftwood-strewn beaches, little coves and tidepools galore. The shoreline is between 9 and 14 miles depending on which tiny islands you include. I gave myself a personal challenge to kayak alone around the whole island and it took me about 3.5 hours. It was exhilarating and a little scary on the outside where the winds and waves tested my agility to navigate. Coming back up the channel where we were anchored was the hardest part going against current and wind, but I did it. And it felt great although it took me the rest of the afternoon to warm up.
There are also about 10 miles of hiking trails and we did two different loops at each end of the main island. There are microclimates along the trails with spectacular views of beaches and shoals. Imagine walking on narrow paths of soft forest decay, stepping over tree roots, climbing over fallen timber, walking under arches of madrone and feeling the temperature change from cool and moist to dry and hot. I’ve never experienced anything quite like it. I’m so glad we waited to visit this island last to have as my most recent memory.
pictures above are first anchorage in echo bay, next is anchored in fossil bay, then there's mt. baker in the distance at sunset, our kayaks waiting for us, one of the many sunsets and the last one is another outbound boat anchored next to us our first night there. it was so weird, it's 46 feet, so is ours, they got it this past april, we did 2 years ago, AND their names are jim and linda. how weird is that?!?
next blog entry will have snaps from the hikes. there's just so much to share from our stay on this island.
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