Point Hannon facts for kids

Point Hannon, also known as Whiskey Spit, is a special piece of land in Washington State. It's a sandy strip of land, like a small arm, that reaches out into the Hood Canal. This area is about 7.7 acres (31,161 square meters) and has a long shoreline of 1,775 feet (541 meters). A light helps boats navigate around Point Hannon, and the sandy area extends about 600 feet (183 meters) east of this light. The waters north of the spit are some of the deepest in Puget Sound. Sometimes, compasses might act a little strange here because of small magnetic changes.

A Place of History and Gatherings

For hundreds of years, Whiskey Spit has been an important meeting spot. Native peoples, sailors, fishers, and loggers have all used this land. Members of the Port Gamble S'Klallam and Lower Elwha S'Klallam tribes share stories of their ancestors gathering here. They held ceremonies, buried canoes, and regularly hunted, fished, and trapped animals. These activities happened long before European explorers first visited Point Hannon in the 1790s, and they continue even today.

During the logging boom and wartime, Whiskey Spit was a busy place. It served as a temporary home for workers. It was also a place where people gathered for entertainment and social activities. It's important to remember that any old items or relics found at the site should not be removed. They are part of the area's rich history.

Amazing Nature and Wildlife

Whiskey Spit offers incredible views of the Cascade Mountains. You can see peaks stretching from Mount Baker all the way to Mount Rainier. This spit is one of Washington's most protected shorelines because of its amazing nature.

Home to Many Animals

The waters around Whiskey Spit are full of life. You can find colonies of sand dollars and moon snails. These creatures are important food sources for threatened salmon. Many marine mammals also visit the area, including sea lions, harbor seals, gray whales, orca whales, harbor porpoises, and even bottlenose dolphins. On land, you might spot muskrats and river otters.

A Special Marsh Habitat

Point Hannon also has a delicate freshwater marsh. This marsh is a unique home for many different animals. It's a perfect spot for nesting shore birds and migrating waterfowl. You can also find various reptiles and amphibians here. The marsh provides essential food for smaller fish like sand lance and surf smelt. These fish, in turn, become prey for larger birds like ospreys, eagles, herons, and ravens.

Protecting Point Hannon

In May 2002, a group called The Trust for Public Land helped protect Point Hannon. They transferred the property to the Washington State Park System. This made sure the land would be permanently protected for everyone to enjoy.

There were plans to create a simple campground for boats on Point Hannon. However, several groups and supporters had concerns about these plans. These groups included the Friends of Point Hannon, North Olympic Salmon Coalition, Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team, Admiralty Audubon, Washington State Audubon Society, supporters of the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, and Northwest Water Resources. They opposed the permits needed for the campground, wanting to ensure the area's natural beauty and wildlife were fully protected.