The Hermit of Matia
Matia Island is 145 acres of pristine coastal forest and wave sculpted Chuckanut sandstone. The one time home of Elvin Smith, The Hermit of Matia, is now a designated Wildlife Refuge and Wilderness Area. With pleasant bays, diverse wildlife, stunning views and few visitors, a trip to Matia Island is a memorable escape. Leaving Orcas Island and paddling Northeast, we pass Parker Reef and the inquisitive eyes of harbor seals, on our way to the pebble beaches of Ralph Cove. From our camp at Ralph Cove we will spend the next 2 days paddling around honeycombed rock, exploring forests and searching for the elusive Orca Whales.
Location: Matia Island, San Juan County, Washington. Approximately 15 northwest of Anacortes.
Difficulty: Intermediate
3 Day Paddle:
Itinerary:
Day 1
9:00-am meet at North Beach, sign liability waivers, assign equipment, pack boats and safety talk
10:45 paddle to Matia Island
set up camp
dinner
Day 2
breakfast
paddle around Succia
lunch
hikes, exploration or relaxation
dinner
Day 3
breakfast
camp breakdown
paddle to North Beach
back by 4pm
For a Trip Packet, including driving directions and a packing list down load this PDF. File
