Grapeview to Jarrell Cove

Rating: SKII+

Distance: 10NM

Date: February 13, 1999

Leader: Henry Romer Participants: 5

Launch: 09:45 Return: 3:45

Weather: Partly cloudy, some great sun, ~45F, light breezes, and tiny showers.

Description: Launched at Fair Harbor and going south we cut between Reach (Treasure) and Stretch Islands. Followed the east shore of Stretch and crossed over to the north end of Hartstene Island (Dougall Point). Then we traveled south to Jarrell Cove. Henry investigated the "Water Trails" site which is located in the Jarrell Cove State Park on the east side of the Cove. The site could hold about 5 tents. We lunched at the picnic tables at the marina on the west side of the cove. After a nice break we crossed Pickering Passage and toured all the coves on the way back to Fair Harbor.

Tides/Currents: The crossing from Stretch Island to Dougal Point on Hartstene is a little over 1 NM. The long fetch up Case Inlet could make this a pretty rough place. Further south in Pickering Passage could be a better choice for the crossing if the weather is bad.

Charts:

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

Puget Sound Current Guide – Island Canoe, Inc.

Chart #18440 - Puget Sound

Chart #18445 – Puget Sound – Possession Sound to Olympia, Page C.

Chart #18448 – Puget Sound – Southern Part.

Notes:

  1. Henry thinks the "Water Trails" site at Jarrell Cove should hold 4 or 5 tents.
  2. Plenty of wildfowl about – a nive trip worth repeating.

Directions to Launch Site: The trip takes about 45 minutes from I5 @ Hwy 16. Take Hwy 16 across the Narrows bridge and to to the Shelton turn off (Hwy 302). Take Hwy 302 to Hwy 3 and follow the signs to Allyn. Just past Allyn go left on the Grapeview Loop Road. Then, just past the Treasure Island (also called Reach) turn-off sign, take the left turn to Fair Harbor. You’ll see the marina on your left.

Facilities:

  1. 5 or 6 cars can easily be parked at the marina – more with a little creativity.
  2. There’s a port-o-let at the Fair Harbor marina.
  3. Bathrooms at the marina in Jarrell Cove.
  4. Jarrell Cove also has picnic tables at the marina – they are private but no one seems to mind us using them.

Sample Magazine Submittal: Grapeview to Jarrell Cove (SKII+). 10 NM. Explore Reach, Stretch, and Hartstene Islands with a stop at Jarrell Cove for lunch. On the way back we’ll explore the coves of Pickering Passage.

References:

Bailey, Jo, and Carl Nyberg. Gunkholing in South Puget Sound. Seattle: San Juan Enterprises, Inc. 1997. Pp. 256-259, 265-268.

Scott, James W., and Melly A. Reuling. Washington Public Shore Guide. Seattle: University of Washington Press. 1986. pp. 236-237, 242-243.