Things to do in the San Juan's - Explore Fort Whitman and Battery Harrison on Goat Island

Where is Fort Whitman and Goat Island, and how do you get there by boat?

  Fort Whitman on Goat Island is a hidden set of early 1900s gun battery ruins located near the south end of the Swinomish Channel. Boaters can anchor near old wharf pilings, land by dinghy, and hike a short, rough trail to the overgrown concrete structures, which were built to defend Deception Pass and the surrounding waterways. 

If you like to explore ruins and go on easy hikes like we do, this is the place for you.

     

Fort Whitman and Battery Harrison were built on Goat Island in the early 1900's to defend Deception Pass and Sartoga Passage, thus protecting Puget Sound.

You will find Goat Island at the south end of Swinomish channel just before the dredged channel terminates in Skagit Bay.  ( a few miles from Deception Pass)

The battery had four six-inch guns, so the concrete structure is quite long. Originally designed to be invisible from the water and now totally overgrown, you can land your dinghy and hike up the trail in about ten minutes.

Directions

  From the dredged navigation channel on the north side of Goat Island (Swinomish Channel) look for the many pilings grouped together marking the old wharf. All you will see is a lot of rows of close together pilings with steel brackets still attached at the top. (look for the rusty old steel brackets, that's your only clue that makes these pilings look different from all the others.)Anchor to one side or tie to a piling. and then run your dinghy to shore directly behind the old wharf pilings and scramble up the bank looking for a trail heading westward.  At high tide, the beach is pretty much submerged and may not look like a place to land.  Spotting the seldom-used trail is really hard, you may do some bush whacking, just remember the battery is west of where you land and a couple of hundred feet back from the top of the cliff.  

Have fun, its a fun and very short hike up to the old battery, oh, and bring a flashlight.

it's

trees have taken back the island and the fort

the round pit is where one of four guns was anchored

 rooms and hallways are  interconnected

If you want some  more off the beaten path places to explore, try this post.

Ten lessor known places to visit in the San Juan area

Click below for a satellite  view of Goat Island

Ten lessor known places to visit in the San Juan's

What are little known places in the San Juan Islands?

     Everyone knows about Rosario - Friday Harbor - Roche Harbor and Sucia Island.  Of course, they are famous and not to be missed. 

But some of the best San Juan area 
destinations are much less traveled. 
And even less talked about.

  Out of the way places have secrets where a little local knowledge may turn a ho-hum cruise into a truly memorable event.  I am listing and describing some of our favorites, feel free to make them yours too.

   Not in any order or preference!

   #1  Saddlebag Island

       At the top of Guemes Channel northeast of Anacortes in Padilla Bay is diminutive Saddlebag Island State Park.

       Saddlebag has only 24 acres, its distinctive dog-bone shape creates two teeny bays. The north one suitable for  two anchored boats, or only one if the skipper hogs the middle on a long rode. We have always been able to anchor fifty feet from shore.  The dinghy ride is short and sweet, the gravel beach is friendly and steep.  The bay catches a little flotsam and wayward seaweed so an aroma may be mixed in with treasures you find.

      The narrow center isthmus holds a small campground and outhouse (newer).  Hiking the shoreline trail is easy and follows a handy figure eight shape affording views in all directions.  Being less than two miles from Anacortes makes Saddlebag an easy kayak destination.

      The waters on the east side of Saddlebag are shallow and rock strewn, circling the island is a white-knuckle event at lower tides. Your dinghy or kayak would be a better choice than the mother ship if you are determined to gunk-hole.

      We stop at Saddlebag for lunch and a hike, overnight if it is late, or just a quick anchor and hike.  We always see something new, and never go away unhappy.

       Saddlebag may only be rated as  five star, you will be glad you stopped by.

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