This blog covers trips from the book and other favorites.

6/27/12

Paddling Victoria BC Harbor - Trip #55

Trip #55 - Victoria harbor is a very picturesque fun place to paddle.  Winding rocking shorelines, little coves and bays, urban views of houseboats, shipyards, and the charming skyline of Victoria - the Empress, etc.

One problem - in summer it's super busy with sea planes, recreational boats, tourist shuttles, the Blackball Ferry, Victoria Clipper, and other small craft.  The key is to paddle the edges, along the shore.  Watch for outgoing current on the ebb at the harbor entrance into the Strait and clapotis (refracted waves) off Ogden Point's breakwater.

Best to take a peek at the Victoria harbor traffic scheme prior to going (in the book).  A local guide said, "if the seaplane lights are blinking, they're about to take off."





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


6/23/12

Paddling Central & Eastern Wa - Guidebook

If you're thinking of planning a trip to paddle Central and Eastern Wa check out "Paddle Routes of the Inland Northwest."  Authors Rich Landers and Dan Hansen have compiled a comprehensive guide not leaving any rock unturned. The book covers epic trips down the Palouse River, through the glacier flood carved canyons of Dry Falls, and venturing into Idaho and Montana.

Check it out here..Paddle Routes.


6/17/12

The Ikkatsu Project - Tracking Japanese Tsunami Debris in WA

The Ikkatsu Project is a group of Pacific NW scientists, paddling guides, and others who are tracking the Japanese tsunami debris along the Wasington coast. Read More HERE.

Recent post from Ken Campbell on Canoe Kayak Magazine online..
"This is an Exxon Valdez experience, just without the photos of oil-soaked otters and hay bales on the beach. The main mass is supposed to arrive in October, and all indications are it’s going to be huge. And, if you add “huge” to what we’ve already got onshore, the result is going to be nuclear. I don’t think I’m overstating this and I’m not making any money by being dramatic. It’s just true."

Follow Tacoma resident and paddle guide Ken Campbell's blog, the Last Wilderness, for photo and video updates of the project.

Seattle Times story on the Ikkatsu Project, 6/20/12:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2018473502_tsunamifolo20.html



6/15/12

Stand Up Paddler between Fox Island and the Kitsap Pensinsula Trip #7

There's several ways to get to Kopachuck State Park and it's wonderful Cascadia Marine Trail campsite.  In this image, a stand up paddler is headed east towards the Tacoma Narrows on Hale Passage (Hale's Beer named after that?).  The bridge connects Kitsap Peninsula to Towhead Island and Fox Island.  There's a great launch on Towhead just before you reach Fox Island, also a boat ramp.

Currents can get going on Hale Passage, learn to use them to your advantage.  In this case you'd want a flood to push ya a bit west towards Green Point and north Kopachuck State Park.  If you know the paddler in the photo give me a holler, I'd like to send her a print. 

View from Fox Island



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


60 Trips Book Launch Party, 6/27/12 Noble Fir / Ballard

60 Trips Book Launch Party! June 27th (2012)
& WWTA Pub Night at The Noble Fir / Ballard / Seattle

WWTA friends and supporters at The Noble Fir in a benefit for Washington Water Trails Association on Wednesday, June 27, when $1 from each tap pour (pint of beer or cider) goes to WWTA throughout the night!

When: Wednesday, June 27, from 6:30pm until midnight
Where: The Noble Fir, 5316 Ballard Ave. NW, Seattle, WA 98119 http://thenoblefir.com/events.html





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

6/7/12

Paddling Southern Hood Canal - Trip #22

Called the 'Great Bend', the southern bend of Hood Canal at Annas Bay is also the mouth of the Skokomish River and it's expansive tide flats fanning out between Potlatch State Park and the tiny town of Union.  Camp at the Cascadia Marine Trail site at the State Park and rent a SUP or kayak from Union Paddle Center.  Bring a tide table to time the level correctly to avoid getting stuck in the mud below the river mouth.  Calm waters are the norm on Annas Bay with quiet paddling in the off season.  Use the Discover Pass to park along the road south of Union.   Photos by Union Paddle Center.




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


6/1/12

Kayaking Bremerton - Trip #13

Bremerton is a town of interesting Naval sights, old neighborhoods, and much like Seattle winding waterways and the bridges that connect the land together.  The current can run fast through the Port Washington Narrows providing a free ride or uphill battle to those who aren't paying attention.

Trip #13 originates 13 miles to the west in Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge.  The trip takes you through Rich Passage to Bremerton.





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