Rating: SKII

Distance: 5.2 NM

Date: June 13, 1998

Leader: Jeff Morton Participants: 13

Launch: 09:00 Return: 3:00

Weather: Overcast, ~65-70F, breezy.

Description: This trip is often used for "boatless" student paddles. Typically we leave the Rosedale launch site and go south, under the bridge, that goes to Raft Island. If the tide is too low we go around Raft to the north. The north end of the island is sandy beach on both it’s east and west sides. Any place on the sand bar is good for landing for breaks or lunch. The trip can be extended south along the coast to Kopachuck State Park, another good possibility for lunch.

Tides/Currents: The passage between the south end of Raft Island, under the bridge, closes off at low tide. The north end of the island remains open. Cutts Island sits amidst a rather long fetch. Fair waves can develop at it’s south and west sides.

Charts:

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

Puget Sound Current Guide – Island Canoe, Inc.

Chart #18448 – Puget Sound – Southern Part.

1. Cutts is a great place to see harbor seals. There can be 50 or 60 of them on the beach, so, approach with caution. Try not to scare them.
2. Cutts is also a good place for evening paddles (moonlight). Gary Peniston runs trips out here that include beach barbeques.

Directions to Launch Site: From I5 @ Hwy 16 it takes about 20 minutes (14.5 miles). Take Hwy 16 to the 2^nd Gig Harbor Exit (City Center) and turn left back over the highway on Pioneer. Go a short distance to a traffic light (Hunts Road) and turn right; go 1 block and turn right again on 46^th Ave. NW and go to the stop sign at Rosedale Street NW. Turn left. Follow this street down to the bay. Just past a Kopachuck State Park sign the road bends right and you’ll see a white church. Head straight for the church. The street terminates at a small bath to the beach.

Facilities:

1. No facilities at the launch site. However, the gas station nearby has a bathroom – if they’re open.
2. Cutts Island has an outhouse up on top of the island. Just find a path to the top and it’ll lead you there.
3. Kopachuch State Park has bathrooms.

Sample Magazine Submittal: Cutts Island (SKII). 5.2 NM. Come and join us as we paddle around Raft Island to tiny Cutts Island, the smallest of our Marine State Parks. Conditions permitting, we will venture past the shoreline of Kopachuck State Park and explore the protected waters of Horsehead Bay.