Obstruction Pass, Olga, and Doe Island

Doe Island

    Doe Island is a cute little park, sitting so close to Orcas Island it is easily missed even if your looking for it. Sitting just a few hundred feet off the east side of Orcas and just two miles or so north of Obstruction Pass, it's a side trip you should not miss. Stop there as a lunch stop or overnight-er. On shore are a few campsites and an old fashioned pit toilet, plus a few picnic tables. The circular shoreline trail may be walked in under ten minutes, maybe less than five if you speed walk.

Doe Island float

As of this writing I was told that last winter, a storm damaged the float and it has not been repaired. Possibly the park is closed, but I would go see for myself.

Obstruction Pass Park
    Obstruction Pass Park is somewhat unique in the fact that it is accessible by land or water. It is tucked away at the south east corner of Orcas Island at the end of a short half mile or so trail. The small campground is open to boaters, hikers alike. A single buoy is in the small bay plus room to anchor. The beach is dinghy friendly however being open to the pass and resulting traffic makes for lots of wake action. There are trails to hike and great views, bring your camera and lunch.

Obstruction Pass

Olga

Olga offered us an empty dock, so we gladly accepted. On other visits we turned away vowing to return when there was room. The private mooring field is peppered with so many buoys it demanded full attention slipping through.

Olga public dock has room for about three boats on each side, all buoys are private.










The dinghy's at Olga belong to locals, there is no access to beach except, a nasty slippery, very steep, and thorny trail in brush under ramp.










The sign says it all

    On shore at top of ramp is a flagpole, and a memorial bench. There are a couple blocks, if that, of roads to walk, some say private drive, keep out. There is no bathroom. The old store across the street is closed up and the property is for sale. Up a moderately steep hill about 1/4-1/3 mile is a restaurant on the main road. Some other boaters made the hike and reported good food. Other than private homes, most which look like second homes, that's it for Olga. I'm glad we finally stopped by Olga, but except for a place to tie up, what can I say.

    The next time we are in the area and need a place to spend the night, we will certainly consider Olga, but I'm sure we will simply run another ten minutes over to Rosario.

Oh, and we saw a little baby deer on the beach, way to go Olga!