Rating: SKIII

Distance: 13 NM

Date: March 11, 2000

Leader: Pete Schwab Participants: 7

Launch: 09:00 Return: 02:30

Weather: In spite of south winds 10-20 knots, Discovery Bay was well protected. Mostly sunny skies, light breezes, ~50F, wind waves maximum 1 foot.

Description: Here’s a really great trip, and one that warrants bringing the cameras and binoculars. We launched at the Gardiner public launch ramp on the west side of the bay and headed north towards Diamond Point. Heading west along the shore for about ½ a mile where we came to Thompson Spit. This is a nice place to take a break. While you’re there walk around near the old shack and you’ll find Thompson’s grave site from 1860! From the spit we headed across to Protection Island. There are tide rips off the west end of the island but the way to miss them is to stay close to the shore. There’s a sand spit that’s mostly buried, but navigable. Further to the west it emerges from the sea and creates the rips. Protection Island is protected! The east end is federal and you’re supposed to stay 200 yards offshore. The west end is State land but they ask "strongly" that you not land during March through September due to nesting birds.

We played by the rules and stayed off the island. Lots of eagles were seen in the area and, as we approached the west end of the island, the beach exploded with seals headed for the safety of the water. Puffins nest on Protection Island but, alas, we weren’t afforded the opportunity of seeing any.

Following the north shore we rounded the spit on the east end of Protection and made the crossing to Beach 407 which is just to the northeast of Cape George. Nice beach for a lunch break. Heading south into the bay we rounded Cape George and Beckett Point. From Beckett we crossed smooth seas back over to the Gardiner launch site.

Tides/Currents: The only current station is just off Diamond Point. The rest of the area is noted as "light and variable". Nevertheless, this trip rode the ebb out and the flood back in. We got a nice little boost coming back into Discovery Bay in the afternoon.

Charts:

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

Puget Sound Current Guide, Island Canoe, Inc., Page 6.

Chart #18423 – Puget Sound – Bellingham to Everett, Page E.

Notes:

1. Might check out the land around Thompson spit. Public or private? It would make a really nice camp area.

Directions to Launch Site: From I-5 at Highway 16 it’s 77.5 miles (~1 ½ hours) to the launch site at Gardiner. Take highway 16 to highway 3 (at Bremerton), then take hwy 3 until you reach 104. Take 104 over to the Olympic Peninsula where you’ll get on Hwy 101. Take Hwy 101 up to the south end of Discovery Bay where you’ll meet the intersection of highway 20. From there, continue on highway 101 for 7.1 miles and turn off to the right on Gardiner Beach Road. Go 0.7 miles, following the launch ramp signs, and , just after the road bends left to parallel the shore, a single-lane concrete launch ramp is reached. There is a gravel lot across the road with a pot-a-potty and parking for about a dozen cars.

Facilities:

1. Gardiner has a pretty clean port-a-potty and plenty of parking.
2. The launch ramp is ‘posted’ on both sides of the ramp as "Private".
3. There are no other facilities along the route aside from the usual trees and bushes.

Sample Magazine Submittal: Mar. 11, Sat. – Discovery Bay (North Part) SKIII. 13 NM RT. Take a break from the south sound to explore the exotic climes adjacent to the Strait of Juan de Fuca. We’ll launch at Gardiner, explore the bay to the north and cross over to, and around, Protection Island. Lousy weather? We’ll do Discovery Bay (South Part) which is also 13 NM RT.

Scott, James W., and Melly A. Reuling. Washington Public Shore Guide. Seattle: University of Washington Press. 1986. pp. 282-283.

Mueller, Marge and Ted. North Puget Sound, Afoot and Afloat. Seattle: The Mountaineers. 1995. pp. 197-202.