Rating: SKII

Distance: 9.5 NM

Date: Nov. 28, 1998

Leader: Pete Schwab Participants: 2

Launch: 09:30 Return: 3:30

Weather: Cloudy, ~45F, wind 10 kts S in AM, afternoon mostly sunny.

Description: Left Boston Harbor and crossed to the west side of the inlet. Paddled against a 10 kt wind all the way to Olympia. Ate lunch at the public launch at the NE end of the peninsula that divides West and East Bays. The weather improved and tides allowed us to fly back towards Boston Harbor. Entered Gull Harbor (probably has to be high tide to get in here) and found it to be a really pretty spot to stop. Returned to Boston harbor following the east shoreline.

Tides/Currents: Rode the flood into Olympia and the ebb back out. Only about 1 knot. It should be noted that the north end of the inlet can become quite rough (especially in the PM). Consequently we did the crossing at the beginning of the trip.

Waterproof Chart #30 – Puget Sound – International Sailing Suppply.

Puget Sound Current Guide – Island Canoe, Inc.

Chart #18448 – Puget Sound – Southern Part

Chart #18456 – Olympia Harbor and Budd Inlet.

Notes:

1. We were told that there had been a ‘Gray’ in the inlet but never saw it.
2. Burrfoot Park has a small beach for landing but is very close to Boston Harbor. Might be a useful stopping place if your put-in was other than Boston Harbor.
3. Priest Point is a mud flat at low tide – and has no place to land at high tide. May not want to plan a stop here on your trip.

Directions to Launch Site: From I5 at Hwy 16 it takes about 45 minutes, 35 miles. Take I5 south towards Olympia and take the "Port of Olympia" exit. Follow this through town until you see Budd Inlet at your 11 o’clock. At this point don’t turn left at the "Port of Olympia" sign. Go straight ahead. This road follows the east side of Budd Inlet. Go 7 miles to Boston Harbor. At the stop sign you will see a sign "Boston Harbor Marina". Turn left and go 2 blocks to the public launch ramp on your right.

Facilities:

1. There are bathrooms in the parking area at the Boston Harbor launch ramp.
2. No stops on the west side of the inlet.
3. The public launch ramp at Olympia on the NE corner of the peninsula between West and East Bays (lunch stop) has good bathrooms located in the parking area.

Budd Inlet / Gull Harbor.(SKII). 9.5 NM RT. Launch at Boston Harbor for a mellow paddle into Budd Inlet. Lunch at Olympia and then gunkhole into Gull Harbor on the return.

Bailey, Jo, and Carl Nyberg. Gunkholing in South Puget Sound. Seattle: San Juan Enterprises, Inc. 1997. Pp. 285-305.

Campbell, Ken. A Sea Kayaker’s Guide to South Puget Sound. Tacoma: Self-Published. 1997. p. 72.

Scott, James W., and Melly A. Reuling. Washington Public Shore Guide. Seattle: University of Washington Press. 1986. pp. 227-231.