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July 10, 2008 at 5:29 pm #587458
BayouMemberI was just daydreaming about being out on the water and was wondering if there were other paddlers on the forums.
My partner and I have 14′ Necky kayaks (rec boats) and have been looking for some new places for us to put in. We’ve frequented Lake Washington (and the arboretum), the Cedar River and Puget Sound (typically putting in at Constellation Park).
I’d like to go through the sunken forest at Lake Sam but not sure about the boat traffic over there. Any suggestions on other great places to go?
July 10, 2008 at 7:04 pm #630975
CMParticipantUnfortunately, the arthritis in my shoulders made me give up kayaking a couple years ago. I often put in at Lowman Beach and hugged the coast North or South.
If you’re adventurous, pack an overnight and head from Lowman Beach over to Blake Island, there’s a “kayak only” campsite on the NE corner. It’s about 4.5 miles across.
Des Moines marina is convenient and it’s only about 2.5 miles across to Pt Robinson Park.
Personally, I tried to avoid Golden Gardens because there are some areas just north of it with wacky current flow and wave reflections, it can get sketchy.
July 10, 2008 at 8:57 pm #630976
BayouMemberCM, I would LOVE to do the Blake Island paddle but I’m rehabbing from a neck/shoulder issue myself so I have to restrain myself to easy paddling for now.
Good to know about the Golden Gardens area because I’ve never put in on that side.
If others are interested, this is a good link that I found for “hand carry” boatramps around Seattle:
http://www.seattle.gov/parks/search_byfeature.asp?ftr=7&searchSUBMIT=GO
July 10, 2008 at 9:54 pm #630977
CMParticipantOnce you’ve re-habbed and are up for a long paddle, (not too local, though) Dungeness Spit is beautiful. There’s a boat launch just West of it, and it’s an easy 7 miles to the point. Lots of seals and other wildlife. Just watch the weather. Oh, and when all the seals get out of the water……start singing the theme from Jaws….
July 10, 2008 at 10:11 pm #630978
BayouMemberLol, that makes me think of a paddle we did a couple of years ago on Siletz Bay in Oregon. The seals were everywhere and so curious as to what we were doing.
I just looked up photos from Dungeness Spit and that does look like an amazing area. It will be worth the drive once we get a rack for our new car. (I’ve been limited to local areas hauling the boats around in the back of my little Toyota.) This also reminds me of another place that I made a mental note to go back to explore- Willapa Bay around Leadbetter Point state park. There is a large protected wildlife refuge there but I’m not sure where would be a good place to put in.
July 11, 2008 at 4:24 am #630979
JoBParticipantbayou.. there is a place in the park…
July 11, 2008 at 3:23 pm #630980
CMParticipantYes, Willapa bay is a great place, just a long drive there and back.
If you ever really want to watch the seals, paddle backwards. They pop up “behind” you and think you can’t see them. When you’re going backwards, they come up right in front of you and don’t seem to know the difference, even if you have a camera.
July 11, 2008 at 3:28 pm #630981
JoBParticipantJuly 11, 2008 at 4:06 pm #630982
BayouMemberThanks JoB! I know it’s a long drive but we go down to a special little hideaway once or twice a year that’s nearby.
I’m still kicking myself that I didn’t have a camera that day in OR but it was a spur of the moment, “Hey, kayak rentals!”. My portfolio site is down for maintenance right or I would show you a couple of great wildlife shots that I got in Astoria.
July 11, 2008 at 5:36 pm #630983
KeithMemberHas anyone ever been to Blake Island, via kayak or other means? I bought a season pass for the boat that takes people to/from Tillicum Village but still haven’t had a chance to check it out.
July 11, 2008 at 6:52 pm #630984
CMParticipantYeah, Keith. I’ve camped there many times. Never went to Tillicum Village though.
July 13, 2008 at 3:02 am #630985
bcollinsMemberI would like to connect with WS kayakers…I am an intermediate paddlers and want to go to Blakes Island (my preference is to not do it solo).
July 14, 2008 at 2:54 pm #630986
CMParticipantHey all. I noticed in one of the flyers in the mail that Alki Kayak Rentals is hosting overnight trips to Blake Island. I’ve never rented from them, but I see their tours all the time, and I believe they use a lot of double kayaks. Might be a good choice for newer paddlers!
July 14, 2008 at 5:46 pm #630987
BayouMemberbcollins, I would love to make that paddle but I know it will be a strenuous one. As I mentioned above, I don’t think I’m physically ready for it yet. Where do you typically kayak?
CM, I’ve heard good things about the Alki Rentals but I hesitate to pay $400 (for 2 people) and leave my (free to launch) boats at home. Eventually I would really like to go with a group and do the overnight camping at the ‘yak only spot. Some Tillicum smoked salmon wouldn’t hurt my feelings either!
July 14, 2008 at 5:55 pm #630988
CMParticipant$400?? Ouch. I had no idea.
July 14, 2008 at 6:09 pm #630989
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