![\"GrandBanks-flybridge_1269-1024\"](\"https:\/\/debgarland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/GrandBanks-flybridge_1269-1024-1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nGrand Banks trawler<\/h5>\n
Many people, especially less experienced kayakers, enjoy the short paddle from Anacortes to this\u00a0popular\u00a024-acre island shaped like a horse rider\u2019s saddlebag. The Washington State Marine Park<\/a> is located two miles northeast of town and was identified by the Wilkes Expedition of 1841 as one of the \u201cPorpoise Rocks.\u201d Kayakers have a choice of launch sites: Guemes Island ferry terminal, Cap Sante Park, or Bay View State Park, the latter during higher tides. Of course, there\u00a0are other private launch sites that can be recommended. An example is Fidalgo Bay Resort<\/a>.\u00a0From any of these locations, especially in Guemes Channel, be sure to watch your tides and currents.<\/p>\n Access to Saddlebag Island is best from the north cove with its low-lying beach, protection from wind, and secure anchorage. This is where we anchored and proceeded to spend the afternoon deploying his pots to catch our limit of Dungeness crab.<\/p>\n Saddlebag Island has five primitive campsites. One of them is part of the Cascadia Marine Trail<\/a>. It \u00a0is designated for the exclusive use of those arriving by human- or wind-powered watercraft. Everyone who camps must bring their own water and pack out whatever they bring with them. A composting toilet is available.<\/p>\n One of the nice things about hiking the perimeter trail on a small island, it is hard to get lost! During April and May, a wide variety of beautiful wildflowers bloom here, much sooner than other meadows in the San Juan Islands. And Padilla Bay at the island\u2019s eastern edge\u00a0is a National Estuarine Sanctuary known for attracting an abundance of wildlife. One of those creatures is the river otter shown below in this photo.<\/p>\n Nearby Dot Island is a bird sanctuary and stepping ashore isn\u2019t permitted. However, it is legal to hike on Huckleberry Island, though it is difficult. Crabbing and fishing are reported to be excellent around all three islands, but you do need to obtain a license. Cabezon prefer Saddlebag\u2019s western side, Lingcod and Greenling swim around Huckleberry Island, and Flounder and Sole inhabit the shallow water east of Dot and Saddlebag islands.<\/p>\n Come explore Saddlebag island on the doorstop of Anacortes, Washington and experience a taste of what the San Juan Islands located west across Rosario Strait offer visitors.<\/p>\n Thanks for reading!<\/p>\n Blessings,<\/p>\n Deb<\/p>\n An impromptu invitation to go crabbing on the north side at Saddlebag Island by a fellow boater introduced us to his favorite seafood spot. I\u2019m no crab lover, but I enjoyed the experience of traveling the Swinomish Channel past La … Continue reading <\/a><\/p>\nPhoto credit: Wikimedia Commons<\/h5>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nPhoto credit: Wikimedia Commons<\/h6>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nShooting Star \u2013 Photo credit: Mike Viouri of the National Park Service<\/h5>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nRiver otter – Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons<\/h5>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nCabezon – Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons<\/h5>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nPhoto credit: Washington State Dept. of Ecology<\/h5>\n
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