Paddling the Salish Sea 80 Trips: salmon bay paddle

Showing posts with label salmon bay paddle. Show all posts

2/29/20

Paddle to Kinney Point on Marrowstone Island

Two years ago while training for the SEVENTY48 I joined fellow crazy paddlers, PT resident Bandon Davis and Seattle friend Sean Nordquist in paddling in PT Canal.

Launching from the boat ramp beach at Port Hadlock, we enjoyed flying down the canal using the ebb then paddled around the south end of Marrowstone Island to Kinney Point. Trip #34

It was low tide so aside from our fins hitting sand a few times we enjoyed the marine life 2-3' below our feet. I remember over dressing for the unusually warm early Spring day.

At Kinney Point (see pics) we landed and explored the WWTA Cascadia Marine Trail site up the hill. There was a bench on a forested medium bluff overlooking the beach and a few forested tent sites. Looked like a great off the beaten path spot.

We paddled back after a bit and found enough eddies for eddy hopping our way back up the ebb current. Brandon took the west side and we both found a good options.

In the pic, Brandon and I have his 14' stitch and glue SUPs with internal storage. He has since designed 18'x26" carbon SUPs with storage, I think available only by request. Brandon is available at Turn Point Design in PT.

The currents in PT canal are tricky and not a clear ebb and flood per other flows nearby. Make sure to check local current and cruising guides to time it right. The Portage isn't bad if you have to!

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

10/9/19

Strait of Juan de Fuca Coastal Exploring

One of my all time favorite paddles is the cliff section between Freshwater Bay and Salt Creek Recreation Area, on the Olympic Peninsula.

20 minutes west of Port Angeles, you can access this section from either the Freshwater Bay Boat Ramp (Freshwater Bay Road) or via Salt Creek Rec Area (Crescent Beach).

The route takes you under 300' tall rock cliffs and through protected pocket beaches each with their own personality. Whether at low or high tide there's always something to see.

There's quite a bit of current off shore, so tuck in around the rocks when exploring, then take the outer water, about 50' out back to your car providing the current and/or wind is running in that direction.

For sups, I recommend a waist quick release leash (on PFD) as you feet will be caught in thick kelp beds or under rocks if you fall. Quick release is a good thing if needed.

Helmets are an option if the swell is up. Unless you're planning on rock gardening, avoid a W or NW swell over 5'. Launching from Salt Creek, a popular surfing spot, can be tricky if you don't have surf skills.

I can provide surf and coastal paddling training for both kayak and sup if needed.

Available all year. Trip #41 in the book.

My clients exploring a cave

Humpback in Crescent Bay

Me exploring a pocket beach cliff

8/17/17

3 NW Paddling Getaways to Escape the Weekend Crowds

Looking to getaway but not sit in long ferry lines then get to your supposed remote campsite to find 30 tents already there? Here's 3 paddle-in destinations to really get away...

1. Marrowstone Island /Trips 34 and 35.
Just across the bay from Port Townsend, this off the beaten path island is one of the least visited State Parks in the State. On hot summer weekends, the Cascadia Marine Trail campsite adjacent to the standard campsite should be free of other paddlers. Then slip into the park and/or paddle it's quiet shores to escape the masses.

The park is also home to Fort Flagler, a 1890's era harbor defense fort with an extensive bunker system to explore as well as 200' cliffs overlooking Admiralty Inlet, Whidbey and Port Townsend.

Strait of Juan de Fuca

Watch for currents of Marrowstone Point by the Light House. Smart planning with the currents can make it a fun adventure. Use Starpath's Puget Sound Currents to see how current work there. The app Deep Zoom is another tool for understanding local currents.

The island can be accessed by driving there or paddling from Port Townsend, Port Hadlock, Oak Bay Park or for the hardcore, from Whidbey.

2. Burrows Island, Anacortes. Trip #29
Burrows Island is 10 minute paddle from Skyline Marina in Anacortes. The campsite at Alice Bight is about 5-10 min further. The island is undeveloped short of the historic light house on it's west side. Trails circumnavigate the island for exploring it's very uncrowded rugged shores.

The island is a 1.5hr drive from Seattle with no ferry to Anacortes, then to Skyline Marina. Park in the long term marina parking along Cabana Lane. Then access the beach on the marina's west side where the road ends (below a house perched on a embankment / across from the big boat storage facility).

The Cascadia Marine Trail campsite has the best vault toilet in the region with a nice view as well! Alice Bight feels like SE Alaska, really a nice spot and a beautiful bay.

Watch for tidal currents during the crossing as well as fast moving power boats. If you like surfing standing waves and boat wakes, this can be a fun spot.

3. Skagit Island. Trip #27.
Close to Burrows Island, Skagit is on the other side of Deception Pass on Similk Bay. The Cascadia Marine Trail campsite rests on an shell midden (native garbage dump) that can be seen the embankment (shells and stuff). Enjoy views of Deception Pass, nearby Hope Island and Fidalgo Island.

Currents can run between the island and Kiket Island to the east. Use your tide/current guide to plan your trip. Walk the island and/or paddle over to Hope Island State Park for additional exploring.

Access from Fidalgo Island at Snee-oosh Point (about 1mile), or via Whidbey's Ala Spit, Cornet Bay, or run through Deception Pass on the flood for the best approach. Park at Bowman Bay.

2 Bonus Options for the adventurous...

Guerilla Camping.
This means camping in non designated spots along the banks of Puget Sound. There's hundreds of miles of undeveloped shoreline under bluffs, cliffs and remote beaches. Use Google Earth to explore the shore and/or play by ear and stop when you find a good place to end the day. Avoid backyards. Years ago, a friend while returning from Ketchikan on his kayak, camped in Carkeek Park. But that was 20+ years ago, I'm not sure I'd want to do that today!

Strait of Juan de Fuca - 2 Options..
-Launch in Port Angeles and paddle west past the Elwha River and Freshwater Bay camp at the Crescent Beach RV Park in Crescent Bay or at Salt Creek Recreational Area. Contact the RV park before landing there as they love to keep people off the beach. Landing at the county park may require portaging your gear up some rocks by Tongue Point. Check each location before going.

Crescent Bay in Salt Creek is a surf area so only enter on a small or no swell if you don't have surf skills. Tongue Point can get gnarly with waves crashing on it.

Salt Creek

-Launch from PA or from Salt Creek and paddle west to Whiskey Creek Resort in Joyce. This is a short paddle from Salt Creek but enjoy sea caves, arches, 500' cliffs and an odd metal door carved below that cliff. Epic paddle I've done a few times.

*Whiskey Creek was recently purchased by a new owner, so call to check their status and book a cabin or camping spot prior to arrival. Their cabins are right on the Strait, powered only by propane. No website, # only. 1385 Whiskey Creek Beach Rd, Port Angeles, WA 98363 / Phone: (360) 928-3567

*Guerilla camping along the Strait is possible but be ready to get up early if needed. Much of it is DNR land, some timber land.

Get my book to better plan your trip!

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

5/15/17

Coast of Puget Sound - Great Book about the Geology of Puget Sound

Due to the many posts I've added about the geology and development of Puget Sound, fellow paddler Granville Paules sent me an out of print book that puts all the Puget Sound and Salish Sea geology into context.

If you want to learn how Dungeness or Ediz hook were made, how beach erosion affects your beach place bulkhead and many other things, check out this book, if you can find it.

The Coast of Puget Sound

by John Downing

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

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

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

1/19/17

Armored Shorelines of Puget Sound

"Shoreline armoring" refers to any kind of structure built to immobilize beach sediments and prevent natural erosion of the shoreline.

Approximately 27% of the total shoreline length of Puget Sound is armored with some type of retaining structure, although in urban areas such as the city of Seattle, the percentage is much higher.

The location of shoreline armoring often overlaps with ecologically valuable habitats for birds, fish and other organisms, but the effects of this overlap are not well understood. Research is needed to determine the effects of armoring in Puget Sound, particularly under what circumstances armoring has negative effects.

For more background information on the impacts of shoreline armoring, see proceedings from a recent workshop entitled Puget Sound Shorelines and the Impacts of Armoring

The above info from this website

1/17/17

Searching for the Metal Door and WW2 Bunkers in a Cliff on the Strait of Juan de Fuca

Paddling friends over the years have mentioned a weird metal door in a cliff near Crescent Beach and Salt Creek Rec Area on the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The door was said to be on Agate Point, on the west side of Crescent Bay.

In the same area, several pillboxes and gun batteries were built in WW2 to fend off any incoming enemy fleets. Salt Creek Rec area has a drive-through emplacement from a 16' cannon on the cliff above Crescent Beach. I head read recently that several pillboxes and possibly larger emplacements were built extending from Port Angeles to Cape Flattery. Online research of 1940's era Army documents states that an emplacement was built on Agate Point. Google Earth aerial images didn't indicate obvious sign of the bunker so, with a window in my schedule and low surf, I decided to go look for it and the weird metal door.

I rarely allow myself time to search for these things as the launch areas are part of a surfing beach, so usually I end up surfing when I see good waves versus paddling beyond the surf to go explore. On flat water days, I tend to go east of Salt Creek leading sup tours from the east side of the bay past Salt Creek towards Freshwater Bay (or from Freshwater wast towards Salt Creek).

Launching from the Salt Creek RV Park through 4' close-out surf, I paddled beyond the impact zone into the middle of the bay headed towards Agate Point. The middle of the bay was interesting with heightened waves coming in, probably due to a reef below. A 15kt east wind helped my progress towards the point. On the north side of the point, there was a curious hole in the 50' cliff about 1/3rd of the way up above what appeared to be the high tide line. I thought it was the door as it was pretty deep and not very natural shaped. The swell was about 5'-7' and pushing hard up against the waist high rocks below the cliff. No a good place to land, would be better to explore on a flat day.

I continued around the point knowing (from aerial photos) that there was 2 pocket beaches to explore. Several bald eagles soared above and two landed on a cliff above me. An otter slipped into the water from a mussel covered rock reminding me of the native Salish saying 'when the tide is out, the table is set.' Despite being a lower tide, the swell was breaking inside on big rocks near the beaches so again I continued along as landing would cost me a lot of ding repairs. I spotted a cool channel with surge firing through that would be fun to shoot through but there was so much clapotis (reverb waves) and being solo, I passed that one by.

On the south side of the point, there's a nice arch and interesting rocks leading up to the cliffs above. Wind sculpted trees reminded me of the Oregon Coast. An aerial image showed a flat cleared area on the top of the cliff that facing west that could've been a bunker site, but nothing human made could be seen. I was looking for clear areas, maybe a drainage pipe from the cliff or if lucky, a section of overgrown concrete sticking out. Not knowing if it's legal to land plus, heavy surf on the rocks below and a steep cliff with little access up kept me from climbing up.

Weird door in rock, sea cave to the right around the rock

By this time I had view of the bay on the west side of the point which has a crescent shaped steep sandy beach with a weird looking house beyond. Knowing the house was part of the private area, I stayed offshore. Just to west is a 400' (?) rock cliff jutting straight up to a line of trees. Curious about being below the cliff and looking up, I paddled over. About 200 yards from the beach yet on the cliff, I noticed a hole. Paddling closer, I realized this was the weird hole in the cliff. The door was gone but the hole was rectangular shaped with a rusted metal frame and a dribble of water coming out. Again, the seas were crashing on large rocks below the door, so landing today wasn't an option. I really wanted to look inside. Perplexed why there was a perfectly shaped rock hole in a 400' cliff face, I poked around and found a sea cave about 25' west. I assumed the door and cave were linked but why would there be a door there? Pretty odd. I sat floating offshore trying to figure it out but the east wind was building, so I reluctantly turned around to head back. I wondered if the hole was related Port Crescent, the former logging site in the area.

Google Earth view. Door at
far left white arrow.

After rounding Agate Point and heading back to Crescent Bay, I found myself paddling against the east wind and chose to sit down and paddle kayak and canoe style back to my launch. While still sitting, I spotted a few nice swells and rode one in sticking my hand in the wave face to slow the 14' board down for an easy landing.

Tips for Launching on Crescent Bay -
A family owns the beach from the west side of Salt Creek to the Crescent Beach RV Park, to the west side of Agate Point. Much of this trip was private property, so even if it was calm, I'd be reluctant to land and explore further. Note that the family is very serious about trespassing and will try to prosecute you if you resist. I've seen it before with surfers and once chatted to a local Sheriff officer who responded a call regarding trespassing. A decade ago, a friend and I landed on their beach in heavy seas and high wind for our own safety. A woman came out and yelled at us and followed us, taking our license plates #'s (in the public lot) down threatening us with criminal trespassing. In summer a man will watch kids in Salt Creek (huh?) and direct them to the country park side of the creek. One advantage to the family owning the bay is that it's keeping it from being developed.

While most in the State own land above the high tide line, these folks bought the old logging town rights (Port Crescent) and own beach rights, even under the water to the middle of the bay. If you see some one with a walki-talki, best to get back in the water and leave quickly.

That said, at the Crescent Beach RV Park, you can pay them $9 (check or cc over $10) and use the beach for the day (or camp overnight for more). Many friends do park there to access the bay and campsite's showers and a laundry. I usually park in the free Salt Creek Rec Area lot down the road (where Salt Creek comes out). On this trip I paid and launched at the RV park to save myself a half mile of paddling to the point (due to my schedule).

Know how to Surf?
The beach can be flat or have 15' close-out waves breaking. The Strait is interesting that way. You can use surf forecast sites to check for ocean swell before launching. If you see a 5' or more W or NW swell coming in, think about a heavy surf launch vs a calm lake like start. In the surf, you can time your launch waiting for a lull in the breakers then darting out (and back). I did noticed that the beach by the sea stack and county park was breaking less steep than the RV Park beach. If you're paddling a large kayak or sup respect the surfers by staying clear of them by about 3 boat lengths. Or take my sup or kayak surfing classes to learn how to surf and launch through surf for trips.

Paddling around Agate Point was interesting with large swell coming in (always look out towards sea) blowing up on the rocks inside. I love that but if you're not experienced in big water, wait for a flat day. Given the trespassing issues and remote area, I'd want to avoid a paddling incident here.

Camping: at the RV Park and Salt Creek Rec Area.

Getting ready to go at Crescent RV Park

Equipment Used: 14' Imagine Surf Connector SUP, Gath helmet, MTI Cascade PFD, 5.5/4mm RipCurl wetsuit, NRS Desperado Shoe booties with NRS Expedition Socks (due to 30F temps), ProBolt Accent Paddle, SuperFlex rubber SurfCo. fin, VHF and Glacier Gloves. Note: I attach my leash to my PFD to avoid getting stuck in heavy kelp beds.

UPDATE - 1/20/17
Research points to the hole as being a manganese mine, popular in the area during the late 19th century. And there is a bunker above the hole on the 400' cliff accessible via the DNR road nearby.

Helpful Links:
Aerial Photo Sites for Trip Planning
How to Forecast Surf
NOAA Marine Forecast

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

1/8/17

How to Pack a SUP for Overnight Trips

5 Tips for Packing a SUP for an Overnight Trip..

Packing a SUP for an overnight trip can be tricky if you're on a 11-6 to 14' long board. If you're in non tropical climate packing enough warm clothes, sleeping bag and tent can be a problem. But smart choices and clever packing will allow for more things to fit on your board.

- If your board doesn't have leash plugs on the deck to attaching ropes/bags to, add some using plugs by NSI (spectral loops) or Seattle Sports. Usually 4-6 plugs will do on the nose in front of where you stand. Give more than 24hrs to cure before attaching rope/bungy. I've rushed it and have had them pull off prior to curing. Or find install your own leash plugs (or hire someone).

Freshwater Bay, WA

- Use cargo netting from a fabric store (rope not bungy) instead of the stock X crossed bungy that comes on most boards. The X shape isn't enough to secure most items down. I've seen a few students lose water bottles from that arrangement. Kayaking deck bags are also a great solution. Some are waterproof and others like Seattle Sport's Parabolic Deck Bag are shaped to allow for water to pass by without too much drag.

- Pack with minimalism in mind. Small down sleeping bag vs big synthetic bag. Tarp and/or bivy instead of a tent. One pair of camp clothes with packable coat. Pack food and misc small gear into pots to save space. Pack dry items in dry bags then all into a waterproof duffle bag.

- Gather what you need and pack into dry bags. Then decide what you can do without. Pack again then remove again till you have the absolute basics. Carrying too much also means paddling a heavy slow board.

- Do a test run also called a shake down trip before your trip to make sure you gear isn't too heavy to paddle, won't shift in wind and waves or will be a weather cocking (wind shear) issue. Can you right after a capsize? How far/fast can you paddle with 35 lbs of gear on your nose?

Safety - Always wear your PFD and leash on open water and in remote areas.

Watch my video on How to Pack a SUP for SUP Magazine, here.

Who's doing overnight SUP tours?

- We do at Salmon Bay Paddle - 1-2 night guided tours on Puget Sound in Washington State. Click here for more info.

- in British Columbia, Norm Hann Expeditions.

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

1/5/17

High Winter Daytime Tides of 2017

Tis the season for big daytime high tides and a few King Tides, the highest tides of the year on Puget Sound. The image below was from November 2016, about a 12.5' high tide. King Tides usually go to or above 13' heights creating problems for low bank housing, docks and marinas. Seattle area tides have a smaller range than those of the South Puget Sound. Whereas the Strait of Juan de Fuca and outer coast have ever smaller ranges than Seattle.

Notable daytime high tides in 2017..

1/2-4 - 12.5'

1/13-15 - 12.9'

In contrast, in Spring and Summer leading up to and just after summer solstice we'll get into big tidal exchanges going from a -3.6 on 6/25 at noon to a 12.4' high that same day at 7:49pm. Pretty cool and fun to watch the change. Get out there and explore the low tide beaches and note how every ridge or depression effect incoming tidal flow and/or waves.

Follow tides using the resources listed on the following post from earlier this week. Click here to view

12.5 high tide in Seattle, Nov 2016

1/4/17

8 Tips for 2017 Paddle Trip Planning

Tis the season to recycle the 2016 tide and current charts and bring on the New Year of explorations and possibilities! I've been working for over a week planning out my 2017 classes and tours which is quite a project with surf camps on the coast, surfing classes on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, tidal rapids classes in Deception Pass and freighter wave classes in Seattle, plus a few tours on the Strait and elsewhere. My dyslexia pops up occasionally when I find non matching data between my website, Google Calendar and social media marketing. And it's always tricky when like region tide tables don't match - even being 1-2 hours off from another guide. This is common on the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

These are the guides I use..

Pre-season prep for Salmonbaypaddle.com

Captn' Jacks Tide and Current Almanac - Spiral bound guide perfect for figuring out current and tides for Deception Pass and coastal regions. I find it easier to use the book than using online option. I have two of the books, one in the office and one in the car.

Evergreen Pacific 2017 Seattle and Port Townsend Tide Graph Calendars - This one goes on the wall as my main print calendar. As friends know, my daily schedule is based around tides which are beneficial to my favorite types of paddling, freighter wave surfing and downwinding in Seattle.

Online..

Mobile Graphics has a nice online site for tidal current predictions.

NOAA Tide Table Mobile App - Easy to read tides on my phone.

WindAlert - to check real time wind speed (and forecasts). I use the free version, kite surfer buddies have the paid version for more detail in kite surf spots.

Surfwater - PNW based surf app for local wind, surf (size, period and direction) and tide real time data and prediction (free).

NOAA West Point Lighthouse Station - My backyard per se - I use daily for air pressure, wind speed and direction, air temp (14F wind chill today), water temp. The Marine Forecast (clickable at top) is 95% correct for surf and inland waterway predictions. Marine Forecast Search your local spot.

In Person Water Check..
If the above doesn't work for you then use a in-person check of your beach. That's always my tool for final confirmation on whether to run a class or not, or whether to go - is it flat or too big?

1/3/17

Winter Paddling Culture on Shilshole Bay

For many of us 'die-hards' we don't stop paddling when the temp dips below 50F. Below, the snow covered Elks Beach in Ballard was before our first annual New Year's Day race. Temp at the time was around 32F. Many of our racers jumped in after the grueling 5 mile race around West Point in high wind. As I always tell my students, if you dress smart, paddling keeps you warm, thus winter is just another paddling season.

The race raised $300 for the Ballard Elks Building Fund.

See more photos from our New Year Day race from my Salmon Bay Paddle blog and from photographer Jasmine's page.

Ballard Elks Pledge or Plunge event, 32F

Before our New Year's 2017 race on Elks Beach, 32F

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

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

12/7/16

Exploring Freshwater Bay on the Olympic Peninsula - Trips 40 & 41

I was first introduced to Freshwater Bay in my early kayak days via the WA Kayak Club while on day trips and a few rock gardening classes with Deb Volturno and George Gronseth. From day 1, I knew this was a place I'd be going back to often. Now I lead SUP tours there mostly in summer months.

A 3 hour drive from Seattle and just past Port Angeles, FWB as we call it for short, has good conditions 99% of the time. The boat ramp put-in is in boating terms, a good gunk hole, meaning it's very protected from most wind and swell. A sandy bottom and shallow for some time, makes it a great launch for paddlers. We generally prefer to launch adjacent to the busy boat ramp on the beach.

Routes:

If a wild weather or mellow day, you can have plenty of fun exploring the interior of the bay by the boat ramp, with it's tide pools and rock formations on the west side of the bay to the erratic boulder right of the boat ramp. You can also head east into FWB and in a few miles you'll hit the Elwha River mouth (watch for surf). In summer there's a one mile long kelp bed in the bay. Usually quiet from other paddlers and don't expect to see anyone on the beach.

For experienced paddlers, take a left at Observatory Point and Bachelor Rock (seastack below) threading yourself through the reef (SUPs-recommend kneeling). Or go round the rock. Swell does get in there and on an ebb the currents can rip strongly around the rock. Follow the coastline for one mile or the 6 miles to Salt Creek Rec Area. Explore the pocket beaches, amazing rock formations, caves, arches and abundant sea life below you. There's a stinky seal rookery about 3 miles west and Hidden Cove, another gunk hole about 2 miles from Salt Creek.

Alternatively, you can launch form Salt Creek, go over or around Tongue Point and start your journey from the west, going east.

Avoid if you can't handle waves, swell, high wind or don't have endurance for strong current. It can be glassy calm or gnarly. The water is cold most of the year do dress for immersion. SUPs, I recommend a rubber fin to avoid getting stuck in the extensive kelp beds and to better explore the rock shoreline. Also a helmet for kayakers, not much fun to capsize in shallow reefs.

The section can be cold too as the sun rarely gets over he big cliffs aside from in summer.

Read more in my book, Trips 40 & 41

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