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SaddleBag Island

Paddle from Sea Farers Memorial Park in Anacortes around Hat and Dot Island to Saddlebag.

Duncan Cox Duncan Cox
August 25, 2024
  • Road suitable for all vehicles

  • The forecast was about as predicted wind from the south 8-10 knots with rain at the start. Seas were predicted to be no more than 1 foot in the exposed areas of the crossing.

The group was made up of 4 students and 4 recently graduated students from the 2024 class. We had 2 of the club's Dagger Stratos on the trip and the paddlers enjoyed them.

We left the beach at 9.45 and crossed over to Hat in just under 1 foot seas and beam winds, as we neared Hat, 4 Orcas (we believe Biggs) gave us a visit for many that was their first on water experience with these amazing mammals.  We arrived at Saddlebag campsite around 11.30 and students demonstrated their rescues to perfection.

After lunch we crossed to Huckleberry then the Guemes and once in a protected area made the crossing back to Fidalgo Island, alas no more Orcas.  The students were learning that in conditions staying together is hard but where critical (crossing the boat channel) we all stayed together nicely.

4 students graduated and we saw Orcas what a great day!!