Paddling the Salish Sea 80 Trips: Puget Sound kayaking

Showing posts with label Puget Sound kayaking. Show all posts

5/12/20

New Kayaking Puget Sound Facebook Group!

I've just started a new Kayaking Puget Sound Facebook Group so you all can post trip ideas, trip reports, boat or board reviews or for sale items and any other related paddling questions.

Open to all human powered paddling craft - SUP, rowers, kayaks, canoe and prone.

Ask to Join here..
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1322209787977756/

Deception Pass

5/16/17

San Juan Islands - Planning a San Juan Islands Paddling Trip

Check out my new article for Kenmore Air Magazine on Planning a San Juan Islands Paddling Trip.

A bonus addition to this article is another piece I wrote on 5 Paddle In Cafe & Stores in the San Juan's (Pg 58).

Read the Story Here

Learn:
- Where to go for your skill level
- Rent vs bringing your own boards/boats
- How to plan your trip for currents, weather, boat traffic, etc
- Who to rent and take paddling lessons from
- Going solo? What to pack, safety gear, etc
- Resources - my book, weather links, tide/current links

Thanks to various local San Juan Island's paddling business for their local paddling and travel info!

Rob 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

1/11/17

Seattle Beach Park on Perkins Lane - Trip #15 & #18

A few years ago, I was leading SUP tours from the 32nd Ave W put-in on Magnolia (south of the village). Right before our turn-a-round spot at Four Mile Rock, a small 'pocket park' suddenly appeared accessed from Perkins Lane. From a quick glance, the park had rock rip rap to prevent erosion and a gravel path leading to the street.

Parking, road access

Today I was in Magnolia and thought I'd take a peek at the park from the road. Perkins Lane is famous for it's disastrous 1996 landslides that took out several houses pushing them into the Sound. There's still evidence of the house foundations on the beach halfway between 32nd Ave W and the current end of Perkins Lane.

Perkins lane itself is a one lane curvy road that borders the SW corner of Seattle Magnolia neighborhood. Homes of all sizes can be seen on both sides of the road ranging from junky old homes to huge mansions and a more modern yet well designed small homes tucked in between. A friend who live along there says the walled home with the multiple security cameras was Mackelmore's right hand man, Ryan Lewis's house. It's now for sale.

There's no public access to the water aside from the pocket park. Driving along Perkins from Discovery Park you can see West Point through the trees, then Alki and Harbor Island from the south side.

The park has about 3 parking spots alongside the road. The carry in is about 100 yards down a gentle sloped gravel pathway which leads to a paved patio or sorts with a boat ramp on the west side. Though I was winded walking without a board/boat up to my car. Four Mile Rock is just offshore to the west. There's private signs on the east side of the park with substantially large homes above.

Path to road

Four Mile Rock History - An erratic boulder, it was left here during the glacier age. Native Americans called the rock LE'plEpL, also written La'pub, and also called it Tele'tla (meaning "rock"). A legend says that a hero named Sta'kub could throw a giant cedar and hazel branch dragnet over the rock while standing at the beach Read more about the rock

The Magnolia paddlers I know don't launch there but it could be a good spot to take a break or evac in case of a emergency. The drive in from the Discovery Park access takes about 10-15min. Raye Street would be a shorter access point. The park would be difficult to access with waves and wind given the rock border. Freighter waves do break pretty big on these shores even at higher tides.

Four Mile Rock, looking West

Paddling Info for Four Mile Rock, the ebb current will pull your around the corner past the rock into the bay leading to West Point. When we did tours here, the rock was our turn-a-round spot. If we dilly daddled to much, the ebb would pull us north, making for a hard paddle up current back around the point (with beginner paddlers).

The point by the rock that leads towards West Point is great for freighter waves at lower tides. I've seen 5' sets jacking up here (it's a point break) and firing all the way into the bay below the bluffs at Discovery Park. If you don't like waves, watch for freighters and time passing this area before/after the waves. You can use Marinetraffic.com to spot boats before they come to you.

In the book..32nd Ave W to Four Mile Rock is part of Trip #15 / Ballard to West Point is trip #18
Location: 47°38′20″N 122°24′48″W

West Point Webcam (operated by a kite surfer on Perkins Lane)

Real Time Marine Weather for West Point (NOAA)

Four Mile Rock Barge Dive

Park Directions

Paddling Distances:
2 miles from the West Point Lighthouse
1 mile from 32nd Ave W put-in
3.5m from Elks Beach in Ballard.

Any questions give me a holler: salmonbaypaddle@gmail.com / 206.465.7167

Check out our Kayak and SUP classes in Seattle - Beginning to advanced instruction including freighter and tug wave surfing, coastal surfing, rivers and racing, plus PSUPA Certification.
Get the Book

12/20/12

Part 3 in Mike Darbyshire's Gulf Islands SUP Tour

From Mike's blog,

Gulf Islands Solo Trip: Part 3: "Downwind"

"Doubled my distance for the day, saw orcas, downwind all the way and the sun came out to make this arguably the best day of my trip." Read More on his blog..

http://deepcovesup.blogspot.com/2012/12/gulf-islands-solo-trip-part-3-downwind.html

9/16/12

Blake Island, Trip #12

Located in the heart of middle Puget Sound, Blake Island State Park is easily accessible from several put-ins. Paddlers can choose between super easy short paddling distances to much longer trips depending on their skill level or time available for a trip.

During the first weekend in September (2012), my partner Christy and I had little time to escape work thus chose the shortest paddle to the island from the Southworth ferry terminal. While it did require taking the Vashon-Southworth ferry from Seattle, the paddle to the island from Southworth was about a mile.

Other access points to Blake:

- Southworth Ferry Terminal, 1 mile.

- Vashon Island ferry terminal, 1.5 miles.

- Manchester, about 2 miles.

- Fort Ward Park on Bainbridge, approx 2-3 miles.

- Fauntelroy (West Seattle) ferry dock, approx 4 miles.

- Ballard (neighborhood in Seattle), 8 miles.

Blake can feel like it's isolated and far away from the city on one trip, while on the other you may feel like you're camping in a city park. During the trip above, it was a hot weekend so we had a regular stream of island hikers walking through or by our site and canoeists and boaters drifting by. One guy even tried to buy a cup of coffee from me for $10. I thought he was kidding but later found out he was serious! The best way to avoid crowds is to go on weekdays in summer or 'off seasons'.

Raccoons can be problematic but the State Park recently installed metal raccoon boxes to store your food which we found quite useful.

There's three campsites for paddlers on the island. The WWTA Cascadia Marine Trail site is on the NW side, the 'primitive' site on the south side (our favorite), and in Tilikum Village on the northeast side. There's a great surf break there south of the marina for freighter and wind waves. I surfed it one day for 1 hour scoring on waist high peelers.

'Primitive' Site on the south side.

Shot with an Oregon Scientific ATC9K.

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

5/29/12

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.

3/26/12

My Upcoming Talks for 60 Trips Kayaking Puget Sound & the San Juans..

The 60 Trips book launches June 1st, almost there! I'm finishing my last edit of the galleys this week looking for last minute changes, errors, etc. Then it goes off to print.

Here's my schedule of upcoming book talks...(as of 3/26)...

- April 14th, Saturday night presentation, Port Angeles Kayaking Symposium. Click Here for Info.

- May 16th, Port Townsend Wooden Boat Chandlery / Northwest Maritime Center
& Wooden Boat Foundation 12 Noon to 1:30pm.

Paddling Blake Island State Park - Trip #12

Here's an image of mine shot around 2004 at the southern campsite on Blake Island State Park. I discovered the view on Getty Images over the weekend, originally shot on film. We most likely paddled in from near Alki, although in later years we found it easier to paddle to Blake from our home in Ballard, approx 8 miles one way. The paddler in view is Todd Switzer. The Cascadia Marine Trail campsite is on the opposite side of the island.

Follow Todd's kayak fishing page

3/12/12

Paddling Puget Sound Trip #18 - Shilshole Bay

I consider Shilshole Bay my backyard. Only 5 minutes from my house, I can pop down there for a short paddle in the middle of the day and even use it as a launch for longer trips in Puget Sound. I surf freighter and tug wakes there, and equally enjoy the glassy waters of the protected Shilshole Marina.

In winter after several days of rain, the current below the Locks can get up to 4 knots which is a great fitness paddle in going upstream, and a fun free ride to take the current back into the Sound. A few times a year there's a touch of whitewater below the Locks - good for practicing my river skills in light current.

Here's a few images from recent Skills Clinics which I lead through my Stand Up Paddle Seattle Meet Up group. These clinics are held every Monday evening for 2 hours. More info Here.

3/7/12

Paddling Trips - Whidbey Island, Ebey's Landing, Trip #25

Ebeys Landing looking south to Admiralty Head

One of the new trips we added to the book is Trip #25 Keystone ferry landing to the Hastie Lake boat ramp on the west side of Whidbey Island. I've hiked sections of this trip for years, paddling it is in itself another experience. Strong currents, tide rips, and exposed wind and surf can make this trip treacherous or fun depending on the skill level of the paddler. Some days the same stretch can be flat as a lake. One of my favorite stretches is by Ebey's Landing, pics below. Amazing views up the Strait, over to Port Townsend and north to the San Juans.

View from the bluff above Ebeys Landing

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.

2/13/12

Paddling the Low Tides & Mudflats of Puget Sound

In a 2/12 posting on my paddling blog Stoke Magazine titled "9 Tips for Paddling Safely wth Tides," I offered tips on how to avoid getting stuck in mudflats on low tides. Below is a list of areas in and around Puget Sound which are worth paying attention to if you're planning on paddling there.

General rule of thumb if planning of paddling in these areas - find out the minimum tide level to safely paddle there and launch on a rising tide.

South Sound -
There are quite a few inlets, bays, and coves here which completely dry out during lower tides. This is only a short list..
- Nisqually Reach / Delta, Trip #4.
- Woodward Bay (inside Henderson Inlet), Trip #3.
- Eld Inlet, Trip #2.
- Kopachuck State Park & Cutts Island, Trip #7.
- Gig Harbor, Trip #9

Mid Sound -
- Eagle Harbor / Bainbridge, Trip #13 & 14.
- Duwamish Waterway, Trip #16.
- Everett Harbor, Trip #21.
- Central Hood Canal, Trip 23 (mostly river mouths - Hamma Hamma, Dosewallips, etc).

Woodward Bay, South Sound.

North Sound -
- Skagit River Delta, Trip #26.
- Deception Pass State Park, Trip #28 (Cornet Bay, Bowman Bay).
- Chuckanut Bay, Trip #31 (Larabee St Park south.)
- Padilla Bay.
- Warm Beach (between Camano Island and the mainland).
- Lummi Island north to Sandy Point and south near Eliza Island.

Olympic Peninsula -
- Indian Island, Trip #34 (southern section).
- Discovery Bay, (south end).

Nisqually Reach, South Sound.

- Dungeness Spit, Trip #38.
- Sequim Bay, Trip 37, (by casino).

San Juan Islands -
- Lopez Island, Fishermen's Bay, Trip 44.
- Orcas Island, (Eastsound area).

Gulf Islands -
- Sooke Harbor, Trip #54, (inner shorelines).
- Saltspring Island, Ganges Harbor.
- Pender Island, Trip 60 (various coves and inlets).

Other:
- Willapa Bay and eastern and northern Long Beach Peninsula.
- Columbia River from mouth upriver approx 10 miles.
- Grays Harbor.
- mouth of the Physt River inside of Pillar Point on the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
- north of Bellingham near US/CA border.

2/11/12

Paddling Trip #9 / Gig Harbor to Olalla

Located on Colvos Passage and the Kitsap Peninsula, Olalla is halfway between Southworth and Gig Harbor. Once known for it's strawberry crop which ripened earlier than other regions on Puget Sound, the 'town' consists of one small convenience store (closed at time of writing). We passed through here on July 4th 2011 while updating this book and were excited to see the locals sunning on the low tide beaches, fishing, boating, etc. The little inlet which dries out at low tide is also the boat ramp.

Olalla is a little over 6 miles from Gig Harbor to the south, and the same for Southworth to the north. The Current in Colvos Passage runs mostly north, so think of that when planning a trip here.

2/8/12

Find NOAA Nautical Charts Online

If you're seeking charts for trips, check out NOAA's online site for a quick peek and/or to download.

Check it out.. http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/OnLineViewer.html

Paddling Patos Island, San Juan Islands, WA - Trip #50

Located a little over 4 miles from the north tip of Orcas Island, Patos Island offers the boater or paddler relative solitude, epic views, a protected gunkhole, and curvy sandstone rock formations. The paddle from Orcas to Patos can be easy if the wind and currents cooperate, or rather hardcore if not. Definitely a trip for experienced paddlers. We rated it 'Exposed' given the remoteness of the island and the potential difficulty to get there.

From Saturna Island in the BC Gulf Islands, the crossing is only 2.7 miles but that's through Haro Strait which can also be easy, or not due to fast moving current squeezing between the islands.

Despite the feeling of solitude from this image, in the height of summer on a weekend there were 8 or so boats moored in tiny Active Cove. The tent on the point was huge, could probably hold up to 7 and behind it tons of camping and food supplies scattered on the grassy point out of view.

Satellite View of Patos, Here.

2/7/12

Paddling Obstruction Pass and Orcas Island - Trip #44

Obstruction Pass (and island) are located between Orcas Island and Blakely Island. Sometimes swift current flows on both sides of the island giving you an easy free ride or if you time the currents poorly, a long hard slog to your destination.

Obstruction Pass Recreational site, (a former State Park) is located on the southern tip of Orcas Island and has a Cascadia Marine Trail site. Obstruction Pass has several access points from Doe Bay to the north, a public boat ramp across from the island on Orcas, and to the south, Lopez Island.

The following are images of the Leiber Haven Resort on Orcas which is adjacent to the public boat ramp

Surf in the San Juans?

For years, I've heard for San Juan Island locals talk of catching surf off the islands' southern sections. I've spoken to two longboarders and one surf kayaker who have confirmed this. Last summer a prone paddler boarder friend said he caught a really long ride on a waist high wave in False Bay. And it's not surprising given it's location near the eastern opening of the Strait of Juan de Fuca which also delivers surfable swells to the west side of Whidbey Island. For those not familiar with NW surfing, the shorelines along both the Canadian and US side of the Strait have been popular surfing spots for years. For locals, waves must be a relief as getting to traditional surfing areas in BC or WA from the island is quite the trek. San Juan Island is Trip #52 in the book.

The image below is from the SW tip of San Juan Island in September.

1/24/12

Walking Your Kayak, Canoe, or SUP on the Washington and BC Ferries

In the first editions of this book, Randel Washburne wrote of walking his kayak on the ferry for a few trips. In updating the book, I found this is still possible on Washington State Ferries and BC Ferries and costs the same fee as a motorcycle. The passenger only ferries will not take kayaks unless they can be stowed away as an inflatable. Some routes such as the San Juans are free on the way back so many paddle there from the mainland, then ride free back home.

WA State ferries ask you to follow these simple rules:

- Arrive one hour early. Consider an earlier arrive during peak summer periods.

- Move to the front of the line and wait with the motorcycles and bicyclers.

- Use a cart to more efficiently carry your kayak and gear.

- Have your kayak ready to board the ferry efficiently without any issues.

- You will be the first off, so be ready when the ferry lands.

Several ferry landings have public access adjacent docks or easily accessed beaches. Others require walking your kayak a short distance to the water. Make sure to scout or confirm your launch prior to departure as things change and public access is becoming harder to come by.

Nadja Baker and her husband wheel their kayak to the shore a few blocks from their house in Anacortes. They paddle to several destinations from there but carry wheels in case poor weather changes their plans and requires a ferry ride back home.

Consider using a wheel or cart system that can be broken down and placed in a hatch or on your deck. SUPs have several innovative wheel systems, see my Stoke Magazine blog posting on this topic:

http://stokemagazine.blogspot.com/2012/01/10-wheels-for-sups.html

Also confirm overnight parking info at your ferry departure location. Some require fees and a Discovery Pass for State Parks. Downtown Seattle used to have parking in lots across from Alaskan Way. But the tunnel construction and demise of the viaduct will change this, thus we didn't list it in the book.

Here's a short list of ferry landings which have easy access launches:

- Kingston.

Launch below the short flight of stairs on the north side of the parking lot. Or wheel your boat through past the terminal restrooms to launch in the marina in the bay adjacent to the dock.

- Edmonds.

Wheel your boat down the dock and exit on the left or north side into the public beach park.

- Southworth.

Wheel your boat up the slight hill about 300 yards, then take a hard near 180 degree right to follow the single lane paved road which parallels the ferry dock to the north. There's a nice sandy beach at the end right next to the ferry.

- Vashon.

Access the beach below the Mexican restraunt on the left or east side of the dock.

- Mukilteo.

There's a small beach park on the east or right side of the dock with parking if needed.

- Keystone.

Wheel your boat to the right off the dock and into the gravel public boat ramp lot. Launch into the protected bay adjacent to the ferry.

- Port Angeles (Blackball Ferry).

Wheel your boat about a half block left or east of the dock at Hollywood Beach adjacent to the Red Lion Inn. The restaurant there has a good salmon dinner.

- Lummi Island.

From the mainland use the public lot behind the store adjacent or north of the dock. Bring cash for the ferry (no cards accepted).

- Bainbridge.

Wheel your boat up the dock past the toll booths. Aim towards the left side of the road and at the top of the hill, approx 400yds, take a left at the Eagle Harbor Condos. At the bottom of the hill before the condos take the footpath to the beach, approx 300yds.

Useful Links:
WA State Ferries: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/
BC Ferries: http://www.bcferries.com/

Kayak Wheel Systems:
- NW Outdoor Center, https://www.nwoc.com/shop/category.asp?catid=22
- Kayak Academy, http://tinyurl.com/6qp7668

SUP Wheel Systems:
- See My SUP Blog - Stoke Magazine.

1/3/12

Kayaking Indian Island to Portage Beach & Port Hadlock - Trip #43 -

Trip #43 - Indian Island is one of the most picturesque trips in the book with so many sights in such a short distance. The trip has multiple launches, moving current to protected inlets, two Cascadia Marine Trail campsites, and a hidden Naval base which may or may not have a Nuclear arsenal stored behind it's thick canopy of forest.

North of the bridge on Indian Island.

In the old book, Indian and Marrowstone Islands were one trip, but I find this area so interesting that I split them into two trips. Portage Beach is a new wwta site, and we added the Port Hadlock launch which is alongside our favorite restraunt, the Ajax Cafe. Here's a few pics from the Port Townsend Canal side of the island.

South of bridge by WWTA site.

Port Hadlock