Rating: SKII

Distance: 14NM

Date: Nov 15, 1998

Leader: Henry Romer Participants: 4

Launch: 09:00 Return: 3:30

Weather: A few sun breaks, wind to 15 kts south, several light showers, ~50F.

Description: Paddled from Boston Harbor to the south end of Henderson Inlet and back. Left Boston Harbor in Dana Passage and passed the "little fish trap" and "big fish trap" inlets. Rounded Dickerson Point and ran into a ~15 knot headwind from the south. Followed the inlet to it’s southern terminus at Woodland Creek. After a lunch stop on the east side of the inlet, we crosses back over to the west side and followed the shoreline back to Dana Passage and on the Boston Harbor.

Tides/Currents: To plan your trip with a flood going in to Henderson and an ebb coming out you will have to go against the current both ways in Dana Passage! Make sure you pick a day when the currents are light and easy in Dana Passage – they frequently attain 3 knots +.

Charts:

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

Puget Sound Current Guide – Island Canoe, Inc.

Chart #18448 – Puget Sound – Southern Part

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

Notes:

1. Lots of coots, cormorants, geese, and seals to be seen in Henderson. Seals live at the old dock/logging facility on the west side of the inlet about half way down to the bottom of the inlet. Stay to the east of the two tall posts with yellow markers on them – don’t scare the seals!
2. There’s a railroad tressle crossing Chapman Bay and Woodward Bay on the west side of Henderson. These "bays" are small inlets and provide some good spots for a break.

Directions to Launch Site: From I5 at Hwy 16 it takes about 45 minutes, 35 miles. Take I5 south towards Olympia and take the "Port of Olympia" exit. Follow this through town until you see Budd Inlet at your 11 o’clock. At this point don’t turn left at the "Port of Olympia" sign. Go straight ahead. This road follows the east side of Budd Inlet. Go 7 miles to Boston Harbor. At the stop sign you will see a sign "Boston Harbor Marina". Turn left and go 2 blocks to the public launch ramp on your right.

Facilities:

1. There are bathrooms in the parking area at the Boston Harbor launch site.
2. Plenty of parking at launch site.
3. No other facilities are available along the route – just the trees.

Sample Magazine Submittal: Henderson Inlet (SKII). 14NM RT. Launch from Boston Harbor and explore the "Little and Big Fish Traps" on our way through Dana Passage. Then we’ll tour Henderson Inlet to it’s southern terminus and return.

Bailey, Jo, and Carl Nyberg. Gunkholing in South Puget Sound. Seattle: San Juan Enterprises, Inc. 1997. pp. 235-245.

Campbell, Ken. A Sea Kayaker’s Guide to South Puget Sound. Tacoma: Self-Published. 1997. p. 61-64.

Scott, James W., and Melly A. Reuling. Washington Public Shore Guide. Seattle: University of Washington Press. 1986. pp. 230-231.