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A forum for people using human-powered boats to travel Washington's Waterways
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#1 2009-07-17 18:53:05
- Flying Mole
- Puddle
- Registered: 2009-07-17
- Posts: 3
Week long trip in Puget Sound - Advice
I am planning on taking about a week long trip in August, starting in the south sound and ending up around Seattle or slightly north thereof. It will be a solo paddle. I often do 10-20 mile a day on longer trips, and can handle most any type of weather/seas that Puget Sound has to offer.
Any suggestions for an interesting itinerary and a good place to start/stop?
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#2 2009-07-19 12:07:47
- VashonRobert
- Puddle
- Registered: 2008-10-09
- Posts: 3
Re: Week long trip in Puget Sound - Advice
Winge Haven at the north end of Vashon Island is about as beautiful spot as you'll find in the central Sound. Blake Island is good if you want company.
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#3 2009-07-22 00:57:18
- Flying Mole
- Puddle
- Registered: 2009-07-17
- Posts: 3
Re: Week long trip in Puget Sound - Advice
VashonRobert,
Many thanks for your reply. I have done much paddling around Vashon Island, and agree with you that WingeHaven is indeed a splendid spot on a late summer's eve. I'm not so keen on Pt. Robinson, as I don't like leaving my kayak so far from the campsite, and while one of the WWTA campsites is usually in good shape, the other is falling apart. Lisabuela is also very nice, but sometimes the folks who use the park are a little scary. My favorite Mid-Sound campsite is actually Ft. Ward; I like the privacy after the day-users have departed, and the view from my tent. Blake, as you say, can have lot's of people. Fay Bainbridge is weird; camping on a field surrounded on three sides by heavy-duty car campers. Manchester would be nice if the WWTA campsites weren't in the dank bushes and eternal darkness.
Do you have any experience with linking together some of the WWTA sites south of Vashon?
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#4 2009-07-27 12:16:57
- Jimery
- Administrator
- Registered: 2008-08-01
- Posts: 6
Re: Week long trip in Puget Sound - Advice
The South Sound trip is a fantastic trip. We did it several years ago and it remains one of my favorites. We launched at Boston Harbor and camped at:
Anderson Island (reservations required)
Kopachuk
Lisabuela
Wingehaven
The paddle between Kopachuk and Lisabuela was a long day but this was before the Doc Weathers property was opened in the Tacoma Narrows. Having the Tacoma Narrows site is nice.
You could easily add Hope Island (south) into the mix. That is a nice site. Lisabuela does have it share of folks hanging around but the sheriff comes by and locks the gate at 5 pm or there abouts. After that, we just saw locals walking their dogs. Wingehaven is nice but I am not sure they are mowing the grass anymore and it gets a bit overgrown.
All in all, this is a great trip. Far surpassed my expectations. There are enough WWTA sites in the South Sound that you can easily work out a variety of itineraries. Have a great paddle!
Jim
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#5 2010-07-26 04:41:44
- DickInWoodinville
- Puddle
- Registered: 2010-07-26
- Posts: 1
Re: Week long trip in Puget Sound - Advice
To add to Jermery's comment on Wingehaven, the park is nice with veiws of Mt. Rainer. The grass wasn't mowed and did have to use my "poop tube" thanks to this site. No drinking water available. The evening work for high tide was to get your kayak up the stairwell or just rest it in the middle ramp if your solo. The cement ornament up near the grass is perfect to tie up while on the ramp.
It is a nice cruise up to Blake Island from there. Rats, no trees for a hammock (Mayan or Yukatan hammock are great) at the marine site. Dringing water very close. If you hike over to Tillicum Village, don't forget a towel (and a dollar) as there are showers there. Also, salmon dinner is $43 and has to be paid by 6pm for the 7pm dinner. It's easier to kayak down to Tillicom as long as your fine with a night paddle back to the campsite at 9pm. The dingy dock is well protected and secure there. To help under buget paddlers, Vashon Ferry landing has the last FREE overnight (up to 2 weeks) parking. It seems very safe and there is temporary parking at the ramp to load your boat. With ferry, $42 for two nights at Blake and one night at Wingehaven. Very nice fellow neighbor camping kayakers at Blake.
Enjoy the summer!
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