Dash Point to Alki Beach

Rating: SKIV

Distance: 21 NM

Date: March, 1999

Leader: Pete Schwab               Participants: 4

Launch: 08:00                           Return: 4:00

Weather: Rainy throughout the trip, ~45F. 30 minutes south of Des Moines an early arriving cold front blew in and made things very dicey. We stopped a Des Moines at the tiny beach just north of Anthony’s Home Port to assess conditions. Wind was 20-30 knots, waves 2 ½ to 3 feet. Within an hour the front had passed and conditions died down. It became almost windless with waves 1 – 1 ½ feet for the balance of the trip.

Description: We spent almost 8 hours following the shoreline from Dash Point to Alki Beach. We met at 05:45 and shuttled cars up to Alki Beach so that, at trip’s end we’d have all the cars in the right spot. The car shuttle took about 40 minutes each way.

            Along the way we saw a bald eagle, several seals, a river otter, and the usual wildfowl. We almost cancelled the trip at Des Moines due to the cold front and high winds and waves. Fortunately, everything settled down and we continued the trip without incident.

Tides/Currents: Negligible in this area. We paddled against an 0.3 knot flood all morning and rode an 0.5 knot ebb in the afternoon. This is a very long fetch – watch the weather closely.

Charts:

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

Puget Sound Current Guide – Island Canoe, Inc.

Chart #18445 – Puget Sound – Possession Sound to Olympia, Pages A and C.

Chart #18448 – Puget Sound – Southern Part.

Chart # 18449 – Seattle to Bremerton

Chart #18450 – Seattle Harbor – Elliott Bay and Duwamish Waterway

Chart # 18474 – Shilshole Bay to Commencement Bay

Notes:

  1. Lots of State and County parks to choose from along this route – just check your map and stop where ever you’d like.
  2. In the off season and on a rainy day – we had the Sound to ourselves.

Car Shuttle: To complete the shuttle we arrived at the Dash Point parking area at 05:45. I stayed with the boats and equipment while my wife led everyone up to the Alki Beach parking area. After they parked their vehicles, she brought them all back to Dash Point. The shuttle took about 40 minutes each way.

Directions to From Dash Point to Alki Beach: (~40 minutes)

  1. From the Dash Point parking lot go up to Soundview, turn left on Markham and drive up to the stop sign at 509. Turn left.
  2. Follow 509 (Dash Point Road) 1.5 miles to 47th and turn right.
  3. Go about 0.3 miles along 47th and turn left onto 320th.
  4. Follow 320th for 4.5 miles and take I-5 north.
  5. Follow I-5 north for 19 miles and take Exit 163 (West Seattle Bridge).
  6. Cross the bridge and turn (bare) off to the right on Admiral Way just before the end of the bridge.
  7. Follow Admiral Way up and over the ridge. At about 3 miles, turn right on 59th.
  8. Take 59th down to Alki Ave. at the beach. Turn right and drive to the end of 55th street. You’ll see a sign indicating the launch point. Parking here is perpendicular to the street and works well. This is the take-out point.

Directions for Tacoma to Dash Point: (~20 minutes)

  1. Follow I-5 north past the Tacoma Dome.
  2. Take Exit 137 at Fife. Stay to the left on the exit. At the end of the exit turn right on 54th.
  3. Follow 54th for 1 mile and turn right on Marine View (Hwy 509).
  4. Follow Hwy 509 for 6.9 miles to Markham St. in Dash Point and turn left.
  5. Follow Markham down the hill and turn right on Soundview. The dock and parking lot are at the bottom of Soundview.

Facilities:

  1. The bathrooms and parking area at Dash Point are adequate but don’t open until 06:00.
  2. There are lots of parks along the route – some facilities were open – some were locked.
  3. Plenty of parking at Alki Beach..lots of stores etc. to find bathrooms in as well as public restrooms along the beach.

Sample Magazine Submittal: Dash Point to Alki Beach (SK IV). 21 NM. Explore the shoreline from Dash Point to Alki. An early start, favorable tides, and good weather should ensure only reasonable testosterone influence.

References:

Bailey, Jo, and Carl Nyberg. Gunkholing in South Puget Sound. Seattle: San Juan Enterprises, Inc. 1997. Pp. 76-87, 176.

Scott, James W., and Melly A. Reuling. Washington Public Shore Guide. Seattle: University of Washington Press. 1986. pp. 164-174.

Washburne, Randel. Kayaking Puget Sound, the San Juans, and Gulf Islands. Seattle: The Mountaineers. 1996. pp. 88-90.