Paddling the Salish Sea 80 Trips: Anacortes

Showing posts with label Anacortes. Show all posts

7/18/14

Driving up to Mt Erie, Fidalgo Island Above Anacortes

View of Whidbey, Skagit, Hope and Goat Islands.

Mt Erie can be accessed by Deception Pass State Park from a short steep drive to the summit. The view above shows Erie Lake, Hope, Skagit, Kiket, and Goat Isalands on the left, and Whidbey Island on the right.

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

1/17/13

Cypress Head - one of my favorites. Trip 42

I first visited Cypress Head (Trip #42) during a Kayak Academy course with George Gronseth about a decade ago. The swift currents took it's toll on a few of the students while learning to paddle in tidal rapids off the point below the campground. The campground overlooks Bellingham Channel with distant views of Lummi Island and a feeling of being much further away than you are.

Current rips through the channel, so either time for slack tides or a minimal tidal exchange, or if you have solid skills in tidal rapids, use a flood to get in from Anacortes - ebb to return.

Due to DNR budget issues, the campground at Cypress Head and Pelican Beach to the north are now closed Labor Day through Memorial Day weekend.

5/31/12

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.

2/17/12

Paddling Deception Pass State Park - Trip #28

Only 1.5 hours from Seattle, Deception Pass State Park is one of my favorite destinations. It's known for it's swift tidal current and rapids which squeeze through a narrow a canyon with an large rock island in the middle. Currents can run up to 8 knots and changes directions a few times a day. River like features such as whirlpools, eddylines, standing waves, and boils draw experienced paddlers, clubs, and kayak schools to the pass to learn and enjoy the water.

DP as we call it, also has varied terrain which can appeal to paddlers of all skill levels. Not far from the fast curent areas are protected coves and bays, pocket beaches, caves, extensive kelp beds, rock formations, and sandy beaches. One can paddle in the park without ever sensing any current or difficult paddlling. I love to take my SUP there and when lucky surf up to 5' standing waves in Canoe Pass on the ebb at lower tides. The waves build when strong NW swell coming in from the Strait of Juan de Fuca collides with the ebb current in the pass.

Most common put-ins are Bowman Bay and Cornet Bay. Both are protected launches each with their own features. Those wanting to travel through the pass or play in the rapids use a Current Table to determine the best time to travel, which launch to use, etc. For example, if the current is flooding (coming in) but will taper off by noon, you'll launch at Bowman Bay, take the flood through the pass and when the current tapers off and begins to ebb (going out) you'd take the current back out towards Bowman Bay.

Terms to know:
Ebb: outgoing current
Flood: incoming current
Slack: period of little or no current in between each cycle. Lasts 5-30 minutes.
Current Tables: Find online or in print in most tide table books. Sample Here.

Tip: If launching from Bowman Bay, portage over the sandy isthmus on the south side of the bay to more easily access the current below Canoe Pass.

Here's a few images from less common perspectives in the pass.

1/22/12

Paddling to Burrows Island from Anacortes, WA - Trip # 29

Alice Bight, location of the WWTA campsite.

Located a short distance off Fidalgo Island and city of Anacortes, Burrows offers a quick wilderness escape. From Skyline Marina at Anacortes, the paddle is about 5 minutes to the undeveloped island. Many also appoach Burrows as a stopping off point when paddling between Anacortes and Deception Pass.

On the eastern shore, there's a Cascadia Marine Water Trail site with one of the best outhouses around. The campsite is perched 20 feet above the little protected cove well protected from southerly and northerly winds. A lighthouse is on the western shore above the water on a rocky cliff. You can land there in the rocky nook on the north side of the lighthouse.

West side of island.

Currents at Burrows are quite strong and friends have spoken of a standing wave on the southern shore in certain conditions. Private Allen Island borders Burrows on it's south side. Circumnavigating Burrows can take about 1.5hrs if you're in a hurry or longer, which recommended. The island's rocky shores and madrona and fir lined forests make it a very scenic paddle or stopover.

Make sure to check the current table for the area prior to launching. Wind can funnel through both the north and south sides of the island. Wind vs current can create route conditions.

Street park is available by Skyline Marina and in the dirt pay lot by the water.

Washington Water Trails link to Burrows for more info, HERE.