A Paddler's Guide to the Salish Sea.: Cascadia Marine Trail

Showing posts with label Cascadia Marine Trail. Show all posts

2/6/17

Portage - A Vashon Shortcut - Trip #11

Portage from Maury Island, Seattle & Mt Rainier in backgroun

If you're paddling down Puget Sound from Seattle to Vashon Island, there's a long way around Maury Island, (SE Vashon) and a short way. The long way is over 8 miles from Tramp Harbor to the south tip of the island.

By portaging from Tramp Harbor over Portage, a narrow isthmus separating Vashon Island from Maury Island, the route through Quartermaster Harbor is only 4 miles in protected water.

Portage is approx 200 yards wide at high tide. Watch for speedy traffic. In Joel Roger's Water Trail book, a classic read, NW paddling guide Joel is seen crossing Portage during his epic paddle from Olympia to Pt Roberts following the Cascade Marine Trail.

The Shomamish People used Portage not only to shorten trips but to catch birds. By raising 300' wide nets, they would catch birds passing through the narrow gap.

Looking to rent a SUP on Vashon? Fat Cat Paddle Boarding operates during the summer on the south side of the point.

Joel Rogers crossing Portage

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

1/28/17

Point Robinson on Vashon Island - Trip #11

Point Robinson is a point on the SE section of Vashon Island that juts out into Puget Sound facing the beach front town of Des Moines. The Sound zig zags a bit here this forcing current traveling north and south quickly around the point. Some say freighter waves jack up here when opposing the current. The historic lighthouse was built in 1885 and automated in 1978. The lighthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.

There's several routes for paddlers to access the lighthouse. Des Moines from the east is approx 2.6 miles which includes a crossing of that section of the Sound. Think about current when crossing, over compensating your route - go further north if the current is flooding. You can also access it from various put-ins on Vashon, the closest being Portage which separates Vashon and Maury Islands.

The lighthouse and surrounding grounds are run by the Vashon Parks District and the light keeper quarters are maintained by the Lighthouse Friends. You can rent the adjacent lighthouse keeper quarters for the night via VRBO. There's also a Cascadia Marine Trail campsite north of the point and up the hill.

Lodging & Visitor Info - Vashon Parks

Pt. Robinson Stewards have fully restored the two Keepers' Quarters on the property for use as rentals. All proceeds from these rentals goes back into the park's restoration and maintenance. For additional information about renting the Keepers' Quarters, contact Eric Wyatt, Lodging Manager, at 206-465-3180, ewyatt@vashonparks.org, or see VRBO.COM to learn about all of our vacation rentals.

Sunday tours of the Lighthouse are available mid-May through mid-September. During the off-season, tours can be scheduled by calling Captain Joe Wubbold at 206-463-6672.

The Ship's Store Gift Shop is open seasonally on Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 5:00 p.m. Call for additional information at 206-463-1323.

Address: 3705 SW Pt. Robinson Rd., Vashon, WA

LRob Casey is author of Kayaking Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands, 60 Trips and Stand Up Paddling Flat Water to Surf and Rivers, both by Mountaineers Books. He owns Salmon Bay Paddle a SUP school in Seattle. Get in touch: rob@salmonbaypaddle.com

12/15/16

Gunkholing the Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands - The Book Series

My favorite guides for exploring Puget Sound and the San Juans (aside from my own) are the out of print Gunkholing series by Jo Bailey and Carl Nyberg. And I have to admit, Gunkholing is my favorite words aside from clapotis.

Each have detailed info on everything you'll see while cruising (or paddling) in each of those areas, from navigational info, charts, hazards, interesting locals, natural history, marine life, city/towns to interesting sights. Much of the info doesn't date, so the books remain timeless as your travelling guide.

What is Gunkholing? "Cruising in sheltered waters and anchoring every night." (from the books)

The book series includes - Gunkholing in.. South Puget Sound, the San Juans, the Gulf Islands and an older version I came across says.. the Salish Sea. You'll come across several versions as most looks like were self published.

The guides can be found on Amazon, at Powell's Books in Portland and SeaOcean Books in Seattle. Amazon has a few for $99 while the SeaOcean copies were pretty beat up and cheap (last time I was there). I usually pick up a few when I find them as they're great gifts for paddling and mariners alike.

My next favorite but also out of print guides are Marge and Ted Mueller's Afoot and Afloot series by Mountaineers Books. There's several of these still on book store shelves as new.

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

10/6/13

Paddling around Burrows Island - An Easy Getaway

A 5-10 minute paddle from the Skyline Marina in Anaocortes, Burrows Island is a somewhat obvious yet hidden getaway. Skyline Marina is a huge facility yet undeveloped Burrows seems like it belongs in the Inside Passage or SE Alaska. There is a lighthouse on the western side of the island and a trail which circumnavigates most of the island. South of the island is Allan Island which is private.

On the eastern edge is Alice Bight, a small bay with a Cascadia Marine Trail campsite and rather comfortable outhouse.

Tidal currents rip around all sides of the island making it an fun circumnavigation. I like to cross from Skyline Marina and play in the small standing waves on the island's NE corner. Boat wakes collide with incoming current making for a few fun glides.

6/15/12

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