Nisqually Delta Classic

Rating: SKII

Distance:  8 NM

Date:  May 10, 2003

Leader:  Pete Schwab                       Participants:  3

Launch:   10:00                                   Return:  2:30

Weather:   Mostly clear, light breezes, and ~60F.

Description:  If you catch the weather just right this is a real Puget Sound classic.  An easy day spent paddling and viewing wildlife in abundance.  There are plenty of variations to this trip once you've launched from Luhr Beach but staying close to the delta is probably the best bet.  On our trip we left the launch ramp and headed up McAllister Creek.  We'd explored this creek on a previous trip and had paddled all the way up to Interstate 5.  For today we were satisfied with running about a mile up the creek before we came about and returned to the delta.      
     In the delta we encountered a number of seals, some floating lazily on logs and looking like giant dog-faced slugs.  They'll let you get pretty close before sliding off their perches into the sea.  An eagle flew in and landed on the remains of a floating tree stump.  Perched about ten feet above the water and satisfied with it's own security we were able to paddle well within photographic range.
     We followed the delta's edge, paddling through a sea of always watchful harbor seals.  Friendly little heads bobbing in the water, watching our passage and occasionally vanishing beneath the calm seas.  Heading south into the Nisqually River we encountered a Birders paradise.  Canada Geese, Great Blue Herons, Mallards, Red Breasted Mergansers, Grebes, Eagles, and, as we approached fresh water, plenty of other wildfowl that remain unidentified since our taxonomic guides only included "shore birds".  A couple of miles upsteam we found a spot that included a small gravel beach and a low berm.  Perfect for lunch.  During lunch we were visited by two cows, a bull, and two calves.  Friendly and somewhat inquisitive, they we not the usual salt water fare.
     Heading back we found the tide receding and the seals piled up in large groups along the beach.  We gave them a wide berth.  As is usually the case on an ebbing tide in that area, we had to paddle well out into the Sound to avoid being stuck in the sand of the delta.  Waters were still calm and we paddled easily back to Luhr Beach.  The end of a really pleasant day.

Tides/Currents:  If you're going to explore either McAllister Creek or the Nisqually River you'll want to plan it so you can ride the ride in and out (use the tides based on Dupont).  Out in the Sound tides and currents aren't really important but you will need to avoid the sandy delta that forms at low tide.  If it's going to be a really low tide plan to get back to Luhr Beach early.  On an extremely low tide you can't get back to the launch site.

Charts:

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

Directions to Launch Site:  From I-5 at Highway 16 it takes about 20 minutes (~20 miles) to get to the Luhr Beach launch ramp.  Follow I-5 south crossing the Nisqually River and then take exit 114 (Nisqually).  Stay straight on Matin Way NE for a mile and turn right on Meridian Road.  Go 2.7 miles (stay to the right when you come to the circle in front of the new housing) on Meridian and turn right on 46th Ave. NE.  Go 0.25 miles and turn left on D'Milluhr and follow it down to the launch site.

Facilities: 
     There's a large port-o-let at the Luhr Beach launch site.   Fairly clean.  There's parking for quite a few cars and cars with trailers.  Enough for about 20.

Sample Magazine Submittal:  Nisqually Delta Classic (SKII).  8-10 NM.  Explore the tidelands of the Nisqually Delta including McAllister Creek and the Nisqually River.  Be sure to bring cameras and binoculars as wildlife abounds in this area. 

References: