November 21, 2020 – Headed North in San Juan Channel on the tail of the flood tide. With light winds we tacked through the Wasp Islands and headed towards Spring Pass. Passing the cove of Jones Island State Park we noticed that now no boats are anchored and all is quiet with the fall season heading towards winter. Winds increased to moderate and we had a fast sail to Flattop Island.
After rounding Flattop Island there appeared to be blows near the Cactus Island under gatherings of circling Bonaparte gulls. The tide had switched to ebb so we made haste into New Channel. Unfortunately the blows had disappeared so we continued out into Haro Strait and circled Spieden Island back to Green Point to keep looking. Returning to Greenpoint and we found a number of Stellers Sea lions in 2 groups swimming close to shore and a third group hauled out on the point.
The ebb tide and moderate winds gave us a fast sail back down San Juan Channel and sunset began early now 4 weeks from winter solstice.
Route Map 11/21/20
Wa state ferry comes through Wasp Pass
Turtle Back Mountain Orcas Island
Close hauled sailing North
Close hauled sailing North
Flattop Island
Steller Sea Lions Spieden Channel
Steller Sea Lions Green Point
Early sunset over Friday Harbor