Trip #26 - La Connor & the Skagit River

Known for it's rich agricultural heritage and busy maritime scene, the Skagit Valley has several picturesque paddling trips.  In Trip #26 you have several options to choose from.  On the ebb, launch from Blake's Resort and float down downstream past Fish Town and thread your way through the swamp like tide flats below the Skagit River.  Visit the interesting geological rock formations of Ika Island (no landing permitted) or the World War 1 era coastal fortifications on Goat Island.

Using a flood current paddle up the Swinhomish Channel to La Connor and enjoy the town's various shops, enjoy a beer at the La Connor Brewery or a gigantic cinammon roll at the Calico Cupboard.  Camp at the Cascadia Marine Trail site in Pioeneer Park below the Rainbow Bridge.

Take the tail end of the ebb back down the Swinhomish Channel to the mouth of the Skagit, then paddle up the river on the flood tide back to Blake's.

Learn more about my book Kayaking Puget Sound and the San Juans, 60 Trips. I also offer SUP and Kayak lessons available throughout the year at Salmon Bay Paddle. Questions about paddling on the Salish Sea, give me a holler anytime at salmonbaypaddle@gmail.com or 206-465-7167

Support the Washington Water Trails Association and the Cascadia Marine Trail. The wwta works to create and protect access for paddlers on Puget Sound as well as provide an extensive network of over 60 paddle-in camping sites - www.wwta.org

Seeking Navigation & Marine Weather Training?

If you're seeking marine navigation and weather resources, books, online courses or apps, check out the Starpath School of Navigation in Seattle. Owner David Burch is the author of Kayak Navigation and several other publications on marine weather, GPS, and other cool stuff.

Sample Topics Covered:
- Celestial Navigation
- Modern Marine Weather
- Inland and Coastal Navigation
- The Barometer Handbook

More info here..Starpath

The Book has Launched!

My publicist at Mountaineers Books told me today that my 60 Trips Kayaking Puget Sound book has launched!  Find it online at the usual spots and it should be on bookstore shelves now or in the near future.

For more info on the book, look Here.

Learn more about my book Kayaking Puget Sound and the San Juans, 60 Trips. I also offer SUP and Kayak lessons available throughout the year at Salmon Bay Paddle. Questions about paddling on the Salish Sea, give me a holler anytime at salmonbaypaddle@gmail.com or 206-465-7167

Support the Washington Water Trails Association and the Cascadia Marine Trail. The wwta works to create and protect access for paddlers on Puget Sound as well as provide an extensive network of over 60 paddle-in camping sites - www.wwta.org

Driftwood Shelter on Puget Sound, Fay Bainbridge Park - Trip #19

Puget Sound beaches are often the home to driftwood. Creative beachcombers often build driftwood shelters and art such as the one below. Some stay up for several seasons, a great place to watch storms in winter. 

Fay Bainbridge Park, Bainbridge Island, WA

Fay Bainbridge below is a four mile paddle from Seattle and easily accessible by Winslow Harbor to the south and Kingston from the north.  A Cascadia Marine Trails campsite offers an overnight option in the park.  Summer can be quite busy on busy weekends, best to visit weekdays or off season.

Learn more about my book Kayaking Puget Sound and the San Juans, 60 Trips. I also offer SUP and Kayak lessons available throughout the year at Salmon Bay Paddle. Questions about paddling on the Salish Sea, give me a holler anytime at salmonbaypaddle@gmail.com or 206-465-7167

Support the Washington Water Trails Association and the Cascadia Marine Trail. The wwta works to create and protect access for paddlers on Puget Sound as well as provide an extensive network of over 60 paddle-in camping sites - www.wwta.org

-3.4 Tide on Shilshole Bay in Seattle 5/7/12

Learn more about my book Kayaking Puget Sound and the San Juans, 60 Trips. I also offer SUP and Kayak lessons available throughout the year at Salmon Bay Paddle. Questions about paddling on the Salish Sea, give me a holler anytime at salmonbaypaddle@gmail.com or 206-465-7167

Support the Washington Water Trails Association and the Cascadia Marine Trail. The wwta works to create and protect access for paddlers on Puget Sound as well as provide an extensive network of over 60 paddle-in camping sites - www.wwta.org