Hope Island in Washington

Trip Overview

beginning of Eld Inlet(west Olympia)- Hope Island, Puget Sound.

Highly recommended.
Although it would've been easier to drive to the end of steamboat Island for a quick paddle - but that wasn't the point in this case. Very fun trip - once we got to Hope Island where there is a seal colony while the mother watched from afar - respect them of course, the law says stay a hundred feet away - curious beautiful speckled baby seals(harbor?) would repeatedly pop up right next to our canoe(so close we could've touched them if we were quick enough and if it werent illegal to do so) and check us out for a few seconds then dip back in only to keep doing so. numerous smaller inlets of lush plantlife and birdlife along the way.

Not many other boats paddle or motor, except for a barge-be careful and stay close to the shore once you get out further.of course there is the amazing mt rainier in the background along the way.you can camp on hope island.

Anywhere in the puget sound is great!!

Accommodations:

many in and around Olympia, tumwater, lacey.

Directions:

I-5 West Olympia... or the end of steamboat island rd for a shorter paddle.

Launches:

Plenty of places to put in. We went in near Evergreen State College campus - any of the roads along the shore you will find and open space to park and set in.