Lopez Island Second Stop
09 August 2021 | Watmough Bay Lopez Island
Jan Norman
Watmough Bay. Just a short hour away from Hunter Bay we set the anchor in Watmough Bay. We quickly realized why our friends like this anchorage so much. The sheer rock wall on the north side of the bay is beautiful. The beaches at the head of the bay and the south corner of the bay are inviting. But it is the the hike up Chadwick Hill that was calling to us. So once we got Wayward Wind settled, we got the kayaks out and headed for shore to climb the hill. The ascent was short but steep - 1/2 mile up and 441 feet elevation. At times it seemed like a trail fit for a mountain goat. In the end the effort was worth it. The view was phenomenal. We could see a wide expanse of Rosario Strait over to Anacortes, down Whidby Island, and across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Admiralty Inlet. Added to the fantastic view was a rope swing we found at the summit. Of course, I had to test it out. What a thrill swinging out towards the view. We spent a good deal of time gazing out at the beauty all around us and then continued on the trail down through the forest. We ended up back at the beach where we had left our kayaks. Before going back to the boat we paddled over to the more secluded beach at the south side of the bay where we found sea glass - an added bonus to the day. Watmough Bay is such a peaceful anchorage with much to offer in the way of shore access. I think this is my new favorite place.