Rating: SKII

Distance: 13NM (Sat) and 9 NM (Sun)

Date: Feb. 19, 20, 2000

Leader: Pete Schwab Participants: 5

Launch: ~10:30 am Return: ~2:30 pm

Weather: For a February trip the weather was unpredictably fantastic. Clear skies, light breezes, temperatures in the high 50’s. Even the night’s camping was unseasonably comfortable.

Description: On Saturday we all met at the 0800 Mukilteo ferry. After the ferry ride we drove up to Oak Harbor to the launch site adjacent to the City Beach. We didn’t actually get in the water until about 10:15. We paddled a short distance into Oak Harbor and then crossed to the peninsula that divides Oak and Crescent Harbors. Rounding Forbes Point we entered Crescent Harbor. No rips. Just a few smallish waves under a warm noon sun. We stopped for lunch along the beach in the northwest corner of the harbor, on Navy property. A lot of this area is owned by the Navy and is ‘posted’. Fortunately we own the Navy and decided we’d stop for lunch anyplace we deemed appropriate. The nice thing about Navy land is the absence of homes. A great deal of the shoreline is wild and scenic, not just a paddle through someone’s expensive neighborhood. After lunch we cut the trip a little short. Instead of trying to paddle the entire Crescent Harbor, we headed back to Oak Harbor, crossed to the southwestern shore and paddled back to the launch site.

For the night we drove over to Fort Ebey State Park and found a campsite. The best sites are located in the loop that includes site 35 and is on the bluff on the west side of Whidbey Island. Unfortunately, that loop is closed during the off-season. Nevertheless we walked over to the bluff and enjoyed the views. All was visible from the San Juans, to Port Townsend , to Mount Rainier. A beautiful sunset was followed by great food, and a warn night’s camping.

The next morning we headed for Coupeville and Penn Cove. We launched at the small park on the east side of town at the corner of Northeast Ninth and North Otis Street. From there we headed west into the cove and followed the shore past the mussel rafts and lunched on the beach right along the highway across from Kennedy’s Lagoon. With the weather still looking good we headed east along the shore towards Monroe Landing and crossed back to Coupeville. The trip was rounded off with a stop at Toby’s Bar in Coupeville after which we headed back to the homeplaces.

Tides/Currents: Nothing of any significance during our trip. However, on a previous trip winds from the SE to E at no more than 10 knots (against a mild ebb) were capable of generating 3 foot waves along the headland at Bowers Bluff.

Charts:

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

Puget Sound Current Guide – Island Canoe, Inc.

Chart # 18423 – Bellingham to Everett (Including the San Juan Islands), Page B.

Notes:

1. This trip would make a great 3-day (or longer) outing. Short drives from Fort Ebey State Park to Oak and Crescent Harbors, Penn Cove, Holms Harbor, Useless Bay, or even north to Deception Pass.

Directions to Launch Site at Oak Harbor: From I5 @ Hwy 16 it takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes (97.0 miles) to the launch site (about 1 hour and 10 minutes to get to the farry). Follow I5 to well north of Seattle (but south of Everett) and turn off at Exit 189 which is highway 526 west. Just follow the signs to the Mukilteo/Clinton ferry. When you get off the ferry follow Hwy 525 (becomes Hwy 20) for 37.5 miles to Oak Harbor. Where Hwy 20 turns into Oak Harbor you’ll see Beeksma Drive on your right. Take this down to the launch site. Easy to see. There’s an old A-10 Warthog on display in the parking area.

Directions to Fort Ebey State Park from Oak Harbor. Leaving the launch site just head south on Highway 20 until you reach Libbey Road. Turn right and follow the signs to the park.

Directions to Penn Cove from Fort Ebey State Park: Leave the park and take Libbey Road back to highway 20. Turn right and drive south until you get to the signed intersection (at the pedestrian overpass) and follow the road into Coupeville. The launch site is just at the east end of downtown Coupeville.

Ferries: The Mukilteo/Clinton ferry runs every 30 minutes. Best bet is the 08:00 ferry . It’s a 20 minute crossing with a thirty-seven mile drive at the other side. Fees (as of 2-17-2000) are $4.50 for a vehicle and $2.50 extra passenger ($7.00 from Mukilteo to Clinton). However, Clinton to Mukilteo doesn’t charge for the passenger so it’s only $4.50.

Facilities:

1. Oak Harbor:

Lots of Parking at the launch site – bathrooms and coke machines in the park.

Nice beach to launch from.

2. Penn Cove:

Plenty of parking at the launch site – bathrooms are located next to the parking area.

Launch from the concrete ramp or the tiny beach to the left of the ramp.

3. Along both routes in Oak and Crescent Harbors as well as Penn Cove, bathrooms are a problem. It’s find a bush time, folks.

Fort Ebey State Park: To make reservations at Fort Ebey SP call 360-678-4636. In the off season it’s on a first-come first-served basis.

More info on Fort Ebey SP is available at: http://www.parks.WA.ov/ftebey.html

Sample Magazine Submittal: Feb. 19, 20, Sat., Sun. – Fort Ebey State Park Overnight (SKII). We’ll ferry over to Whidbey Island and from our car camp at Fort Ebey SP we’ll explore Crescent and Oak Harbors on Saturday (13NM). On Sunday we’ll do Penn Cove (9NM). The camping should be great fun and there might even be a chance to get in a little surfing.

References:

Scott, James W., and Melly A. Reuling. Washington Public Shore Guide. Seattle: University of Washington Press. 1986. pp. 126-131.

Mueller, Marge and Ted. North Puget Sound – Afoot and Afloat. Seattle: The Mountaineers. 1995. pp. 138-148.