Crescent, Agate & Freshwater Bays

Rating:  SKIII-IV

Distance:   8 NM

Date:  August 27, 2000

Leader:   Julie Beck                          Participants:  11

Launch:  10:30                                   Return:  3:00

Weather:  We enjoyed clear skies, temperatures ~70, and only the lightest of breezes.

Description: Here's a rather short trip that's well worth the effort of the long drive up past Port Angeles.  The launch in Crescent Bay was pretty easy with the surf barely breaking at low water.  We paddled west headed for Agate Bay.  Gentle swells led us past towering cliffs sometimes eroded into small caves at their bases.  Most of the trip leads you through kelp beds and, sure enough a friendly sea otter made it's presence known, if only for a few seconds.  There are a couple of tiny inlets along here that could afford a landing spot, but only at low tide.  Basically the entire shore line is cliffs.  You'll find the occasional 'boomer' along this route.  Most of our group chose to paddle near the shore so they could play in the breaking waves and clapotis.

Reaching Agate Bay we turned around and headed back to Crescent for lunch.  The surf was pretty tiny, well, at least it was until we got there.  The wake of a passing freighter must have arrived simultaneously so the breakers were, for a short while bigger than we expected.  Got my first 'combat' roll!  Three of us went in the water.  A couple of lost hats, one of which washed up on the shore during lunch.  It was a great day to 'get wet'!

After lunch we headed east towards Freshwater Bay.  Again we paddled through kelp beds along cliff lined shores.  An absolutely beautiful place.  Freshwater was calm and protected from surf so we polished off the trip with roll and rescue practices

Don't miss this trip, it's well worth the drive!

Tides/Currents: We launched at low tide in Crescent and so had to carry the boats along the shore and around the marsh over to the beach.  While the rising tide boosted us through the Strait it wasn't significant.  Of importance on this trip is to understand that you will have to surf launch and land in Crescent Bay.  Participants should also understand that they will be paddling in the swells of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.  There are boomers and lots of clapotis along the shore. A change in the weather could make this trip significantly more difficult and certainly not for the inexperienced!

Charts:

Chart # 18465
Race Rocks current table (adjusted for Angeles Point) or the Canadian Current Atlas.

Notes:

1.  Such a long drive for such a short trip.  This could easily be done as a two day with camping on Saturday night.  There are tons of options for trips on the second day.  You might even want to combine it with a freshwater trip in Crescent Lake up in the mountains.

2.  Another nice little trip runs from Crescent Bay to Whiskey Creek and back.  It's about 6 NM for the round trip. At high tide beach landings may be difficult due to steep gravel beaches with the surf breaking right smack on the beach.

3.  Surfing:  Crescent Bay can supply some decent surf in the winter when it's too rough out in the ocean. We tried it in November but, unfortunately, encountered beautiful weather and tiny surf.

Directions to Launch Site:  From I-5 at Hwy 16 it takes a good 2 hours and 45 minutes to get to the launch site (126 miles).  Follow 16 to Bremerton and then follow the signs to The Hood Canal bridge.  After you cross the bridge stay on highway 104 until you get to hwy 101.  Take 101 to, and through, Port Angeles.  It turn left in Port Angeles.  After you get out of Port Angeles take the right turn for Hwy 112.  You'll follow 112 for 7.5 miles until you see the sign for the Salt Creek Recreation Area (Camp Hayden Road) and then turn right.   From there it's 3.7 miles to the public ramp. When you see the Salt Creek campground, don't turn in, just bear off to the left and on down to the launch site.  The site is a small gravel parking area just behind a small marsh. If you're going to camp for the night at Carol's Crescent Beach, just continue along for another 1/8 mile and you'll see it on the left.

The Car Shuttle:  We took most of our cars down to Freshwater Bay so they'd be ready for us at the end of the trip.  The shuttle takes about 15 minutes each way.  Just retrace your steps to Hwy 112, turn left, and follow 112 until you get to Freshwater Bay Road and turn left to drive down to the public launch ramp.

Facilities:

1.  Crescent Bay has a bathroom and parking for about 10 cars.
2.  Freshwater Bay has bathrooms, a public launch ramp and lots of parking.
3.  Plan ahead, you can't take a potty break along this shoreline!

Carol's Crescent Beach Camping:  The camp ground is right in front of Crescent Bay.  They own a half mile of sand beach that's within 100 yards of your camp site.  The day use fee is $5 for two people.  Three of us spent the night tent camping and they charged us a total of $27 for the weekend.  Really nice folks.  To contact them call 360-928-3344 for reservations.  The campground has hot showers, bathrooms, and a laundry.  All were very nice and clean.

Sample Magazine Submittal:  Crescent to Freshwater Bay (SKIII-IV).  8 NM.  Also a possible side trip to Agate Bay.  Explore the rocky wilderness shoreline.  You should be comfortable with moderate surf launchings and paddling in ocean swells.  Non-surf landing at Freshwater Bay.  Wet or dry suit required.  Camping is available at Salt Water Creek SP.

References: 

Scott, James W., and Melly A. Reuling.  Washington Public Shore Guide.  Seattle: University of Washington Press. 1986. pp. 256-257.

Washburne, Randel.  Kayaking Puget Sound, the San Juans, and Gulf Islands.  Seattle:  The Mountaineers. 1996.  pp. 210-214.

Mueller, Marge and Ted.  Afoot and Afloat, North Puget Sound. Seattle:  The Mountaineers. 1995.  pp. 220.