Dash Point to Seola Beach and Back

Rating: SKIII

Distance: 28 NM

Date:  February 2, 2002

Leader: Pete Schwab               Participants: 3

Launch: 06:00                           Return: 5:30

Weather: Started out under clear skies with the temperature hovering around 30F.  The day was mostly overcast, however, and included to wind for about a half hour just after lunch.

Description: The early morning start was easy.  It took about an hour to get really warmed up in the 30F air but after that it was fairly pleasant all morning. The original intent was to paddle up to the Fauntleroy ferry and back but weather conditions appeared to be changing and we felt that afternoon winds might really slow us up on the return trip.  Somewhere around 3-Tree Point we decided to shorten the paddle and just go as far as Seola Beach.
    Lunch on the beach was uneventful...and then the wind came.  Blowing out of the south it turned our lunch to a frozen sort of misery and we elected to hop back in the boats and get to the business of paddling back to Dash Point.  Thirty minutes later we rounded 3-Tree...and the wind stopped!  Completely!  The balance of the afternoon was spent on flat water, experiencing little more than gentle breezes.
    The coolest part of the trip was on the way back to the barn.  Around Redondo Beach we ran into Gary Luhm, a few of his friends, and a friendly sea otter called "Dumas".  The otter climbed on the boats, checked out the kayakers, and generally just laid around in the water having a grand time with his audience.  It sure added a unique aspect to our trip.


Headed back to the barn after a great day of paddling.

Tides/Currents: Negligible in this area. We paddled against an 0.3 knot ebb all morning and rode an 0.5 knot flood 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 # 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 cold day – we had the Sound to ourselves.

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.

Sample Magazine Submittal: Dash Point to Seola Beach (SK III). 28 NM. Explore the shoreline from Dash Point to Seola. 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.