Anderson Island

Saturday, 7-6-2014
We launched as a group of four near Olympia from Zittels Marina near Johnson Point at 11:00AM. Good weather, light south wind. We paddled east 1.5 nm crossing the Nisqually Reach to Taylor Bay on the Key Peninsula. We paddled into Taylor Bay as far as possible, past the Key Peninsula Highway Bridge. We next proceeded out of Taylor Bay and headed southeast to Devils Head for lunch. After lunch we rounded Devils Head and headed NNE about a half mile. We then crossed Drayton Passage toward Anderson Island landing at the mouth of Amsterdam Bay. We explored Amsterdam Bay and talked to the locals. We then left Amsterdam Bay and proceeded SW to Treble Point. We then rounded Treble Point headed SE to Carlson Bay, where we camped for the night at the Washington Watertrails Association Site.
This WWTA site is available to WWTA members only by reservation. The maximum capacity is eight people, and is situated on a spit at the mouth of the bay. This campground is vulnerable to flooding due to it being only 1 to 2 feet above the high tide line. The high tide prediction was for 13.8 feet near midnight Saturday night. Although this is a high water level, we had calm seas and no wind after dark.
One other feature of this campground is the bathroom (sani-can) is a 20 min walk away from the campsite. Fortunately it is along a nature trail with interpretive signs about the local flora.
Sunday we launched and proceeded SE toward the southern tip of Anderson Island. About a half mile short of the point, we crossed the Nisqually Reach and landed near Hogum Bay. We headed NW and stopped near De wolf Bight to look at a ship wreck. We stopped for lunch at Tolmie State Park. After lunch we paddled NW into a gentle wind toward Johnson Point. We returned to our launch point at Zittels Marina about 3 PM. Total trip distance 15nm.
We debriefed at the Mayan Restaurant in Lacey. A good time was had by all.