On our third weekend trip since the purchase of the Bayliner 4788 we left on a Friday evening and arrived at Prevost Harbor around 8:30pm. After years of boating in the San Juan Islands, this was our first time visiting Stuart Island. We tied to the linear moorage which was a bit of a challenge at the time we arrived due to the currents. As soon as we got close enough to the linear moorage to tie off the current pushed us away.  After a few tries, we got it right.

Saturday, we went for a short hike from the State Park docks to the old schoolhouse. The center of the island is so narrow between Prevost Harbor and Reid Harbor, it is just a short walk from the docks on one side to the other. From the docks at Reid Harbor we headed west following the trail to the lighthouse. We climbed in elevation until we reached a large staircase set into the hillside, which took us back down to sea level where there were more campsites and more restrooms. Following the signs to the schoolhouse and lighthouse we left the park and found the local road. A narrow gravel road that climbed for some distance until we reached the schoolhouse building.

Just before we reached the schoolhouse we approached what we thought was someone’s laundry line, but instead turned out to be the display for the local tourist trap clothing store with a variety of t-shirts and sweatshirts. There was also water provided at this location for us and the dogs. The outdoor storefront works on the honor system, they even allow you to take your product from the store, and pay online when you get home later.

Right by the schoolhouse next to the clothing vendor, there is a trail is a bit of a shortcut, without so much elevation gain. This trail follows an old fence line consisting of fallen down fence posts and some wire mesh fencing, and the trail takes you back to the top of the big staircase that I mentioned earlier. This shortcut can save a lot of time when travelling to the schoolhouse or lighthouse.

One our way back we completed the loop trail which was a nice walk along the Prevost Harbor side of the island, and quite spectacular at low tide.

After observing the dock setting on the Reid Harbor side and the Prevost Harbor side, I would suggest that Reid Harbor is better if you are with a group of boating friends that all want to be on the same dock, where Prevost Harbor is better if you are going to anchor or tie up to a buoy.

Stuart Island is certainly on the list of places that we would return to.

-Steve Stedman

Photos from our trip

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