Paddling the Salish Sea 80 Trips: PNW

Showing posts with label PNW. Show all posts

5/14/17

Erratic Boulders of Puget Sound

"A glacial ‘erratic’ is a rock fragment carried by glacial ice and transported some distance from the outcrop from which it was derived, and generally resting on bedrock of a different type* [although glacial or alluvial sediment may directly underlie the erratic. " (source: NW Geology)

Many erratic boulders line the shores of Puget Sound. Some large erratics can be found in Seattle such as 4 Mile Rock off the south side of Magnolia and this one below off North Beach of Discovery Park. Read more about erratic boulders (source: NW Geology)

Possibly the most interesting erratic is Haleelts Rock on the north end of Bainbridge Island which has a petroglyph on it's north facing side. See pic below.

6 erratics around Puget Sound

List of of 15 erratics around King Country, WA

Haleelts Rock, Bainbridge Island

4 Mile Rock

Discovery Park erratic, North Beach

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

2/16/17

Elwha River Mouth - Washington's Newest Beach (Seattle Times article) Trip #40

I've had the opportunity to watch the Elwha River dam removals over the past few years. I surfed the river mouth pre-removal when the beach was cobble. Over the years, soft sediment began to not only cover the cobble but also extend the beach into the Strait several hundred feet. The sediment changed the river mouth from shallow reef style waves preferred by short boarders to sandy beach waves better suited for paddlers. Pre-removal, I was able to paddle up the river mouth nearly a quarter mile to a class 2 rapid, now the sediment has choked the mouth to where it's nearly impossible to make that trip. The sediment is so thick that you lose sight of your hand just below the water's surface.

Paddling the mouth is best at high tides when you can skim over shallow submerged sections of the delta. At low tides, you can paddle around the entire delta.

Be watchful of waves. The Strait can be flat calm, or not. Despite the differences in wave types, large waves can break on the west and north sides of the delta at any tide level. If you prefer a calm no wave day, use the following sites to forecast swell 4' or less, and no or little wind. A NW or W swell over 4' can deliver substantial waves to the delta. Or a strong W or NE wind (over 15kts). Use surf etiquette if other surfers are present.

Launch from Place Road (right fork) but be prepared for a 10 minute walk on gravel to the beach. Check out the book for additional launches. Trip #40

Read a great article on the post-release Elwha delta.. (posted 2/14/17)

Surf Forecast Sites I Use:
Surfwater.org - PNW surf forecasts
NOAA - Puget Sound to WA Coast Marine Forecast
WindAlert - Real time wind data

Looking west towards Freshwater Bay and Striped Peak (courtesy of Doug MacDonald) / Seattle Times

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

1/4/17

Kayaking the San Juans - My Story in Kenmore Air Magazine..

Last Spring I was asked to write a piece for Kenmore Air Magazine on kayaking in the San Juan Islands. I also contributed all the photos to story as well, a perfect mix of my favorite skills. Check it out to learn about where and when to paddle the islands.

Click here for a link to the story

12/13/16

SUP Race - New Year's Day Paddling Race - Ballard - Seattle 1/1/17

The Salish Sea isn't just for exploring and poking around, throughout the year there's many competitions in amazing locations. Over a decade ago the Deception Pass Dash, an epic race through tidal rapids began with 175 all craft paddlers. The local outrigger canoeists have an Orca Series that runs throughout the year from La Connor's Swinhomish Channel to Seattle's Ship Canal, usually 6 mile races open to all.

I started putting on Monday evening sup races 5 years ago on Seattle's Shilshole Bay to benefit a scholarship fund at the Ballard Elks. Now we welcome all paddlers but it's usually SUPs given my business focus and connections in that area.

On January 1st, 2017 I'm putting on our first annual New Year's Day Paddling Race also on Shilshole Bay at the Elks Lodge (many of us are members). Open to all paddlers, it's a super fun race with two courses, a 5m and a 1.5m (depending on conditions). We'll cool off with the Elks for their annual NY Day Plunge at 1pm. Read More or check out the Facebook Event Page Volunteers and safety boats welcome.

5 mile course

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

1/15/15

Paddle in to Coffee or a Pizza in Port Townsend

I love places where you can paddle to a beer or a snack. There's a few spots like this on Puget Sound - the Tides Inn in Gig Harbor and the Boat Shed below Manette Bridge.

In Port Townsend there's several places you can paddle to..

- Paddle to the Pourhouse for a pint of local craft beer. I heard you could get a $1 off for paddling in. This is my kinda of town.

- Paddle to downtown 'PT' for Waterfront Pizza or coffee at Better Living Through Coffee. Both are adjacent to a great little beach with drift logs to set your gear on.

Wetsuits welcome at Waterfront Pizza

Beach and picnic table below coffee and pizza spots

Beach below Better Living Through Coffee (on left)

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

12/12/14

Lyre River Mouth Purchased by the North Olympic Land Trust

Surfers who spent time on the Strait of Juan de Fuca in the 80's told me of having access to the Lyre River Mouth, a great point break. When I started surfing a decade later the mouth was closed to the public by private land owners, unless you paddled in from a mile to the east from Whiskey Creek or west from Murdoch Creek or the Harris Beach campground

This month, NOLT, the North Olympic Land Trust purchased the river mouth area opening it to the public once again. Paddlers and surfers do need to walk in a mile from the parking area or paddle in. If the latter, at least you won't worry about trespassing. Some local surfers aren't so excited about this access worried of the wave getting crowded.

Read the story here from the NOLT newsletter.

5/15/14

Paddling Eagle Harbor, Winslow - Bainbridge Island Trip 14

Eagle Harbor in Winslow - Bainbridge Island. Trip #14

Wing Pt

A great protected gunkhole with a lot of personality. I've seen surfable waves on the outside from ferries while only a few hundred yards inside it's usually super calm. Way up inside it dries out to a tide flat at low tide and is surrounded by interesting modern and some historic homes.

A great paddle if you're seeking a protected spot for windy days or fun exploring for a short day trip from Seattle.

Eagle Hbr looking west to east