Port Angeles to Dungeness

Rating: SKIII-IV

Distance:  18.2 NM

Date:  July 29, 2001

Leader:   Don Rice                             Participants:  2

Launch:   Hollywood Beach, Port Angeles          Return:  Cline Spit, Dungeness

Weather:   Perfect—slightly overcast with occasional sun breaks and no wind

Description:   After completing the shuttle—leaving cars at Cline Spit and driving to Port Angeles, we departed from Hollywood Beach into an east wind of maybe 5kt and paddled east around the old lumber mill which is undergoing a cleanup project to deal with contaminated a shoreline.  We continued to follow the coastline passing Morse Creek and then we looked for a “cavern” which is labeled on the chart.  The cavern is almost in the middle of Green Point and Morse Creek and can be found behind a stand of deciduous trees at about 30 feet above water level.  The hole is about 12 feet in diameter and looks like something from World War I cannon fire.  Just beyond Green Point, Siebert Creek empties into the Strait and provides a very appealing location for some rustic camping.  There is a small wooded area which would provide adequate seclusion from wind and other elements as well as it is far enough away from any possible sighting by other people.  Siebert Creek is about 5.5 nm from Hollywood Beach.  We continued to paddle on toward our lunch destination of Mc Donnel Creek (8nm).   We chose this spot as it looked easiest to get back in the water through the surf.  We minimized our lunch stop and were anxious to get back into our boats and paddle toward the spit.  The swells began to get bigger as did the surf, so we picked the right place to stop for lunch.  The outside of the spit seems a lot longer than the advertised 4 miles.  We were greeted by scouting seals and many pedestrians on the beach.  Once we came within view of the lighthouse the end of the spit was within sight as were many, many seals.  There was a bit of a rip at the tip of the spit, but nothing to present any challenge.  We stopped at the boat landing site inside the spit for a brief stretch break.  The last hour of paddling was among congestion of fishing and crabbing boats inside Dungeness Bay.  Cline Spit was reached at about 4pm under calm and clear skies.

Tides/Currents: This trip is best done under a strong flood and with the prevailing west winds.  The current is substantial but not strong enough that one cannot paddle against it.  We averaged between 4 and 3.5 kt until the current changed and then we dropped to 3.0 kt.

Marine Weather Forecast and caution need to exercised before considering this trip—winds from the west can be severe and the water on the Strait can get extremely choppy. There are no opportunities for bail out until 10nm into the trip.

Charts:
NOAA Chart #18465  Strait of Juan de Fuca  1:80,000.

Notes:   
There are a couple of bail outs.  The first would be at Morse Creek which is only 3nm into the trip.  The next bail out is at Dungeness Refuge spit which is 10nm into the trip.  The Dungeness Spit bail out consists of landing on the beach (look for the tall telephone looking pole—about 100 yards passed the beginning of the spit—this is the narrowest place to cross the spit) and carrying boats across the spit toward the bay.  This is an illegal landing and must only be done in an emergency condition.  The bay does have nesting birds who lay eggs (in the spring) on shore and care should be taken when walking on the beach.

There is a boat landing site near the lighthouse on the inside of  Dungeness Bay which is clearly marked “Boat Landing.”  A reservation is needed to land as is a $3 use fee per family which can be paid to the lighthouse keeper or sent in to US Fish and Wildlife—Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, 33 S. Barr Road, Port Angeles, WA 98362.  Their phone number is 360-457-8451.  A recorded message is all that is needed for a reservation and their phone line is available at any hour of the day.

Directions to Launch Site: 

To Hollywood Beach, Port Angeles:

From I-5 @ Hwy 16 it takes about 2 hours  to the launch site. Take highway 16 to highway 3, then take hwy 3 until you reach 104. Take 104 over to the Olympic Peninsula where you’ll get on Hwy 101.   You will pass Discovery Bay and Sequim Bay.  When you get to Sequim stay on Hwy 101 and continue driving toward Port Angeles.  When you see Port Angeles Bay get in the right lane and you’ll be turning right on Lincoln Street.  Go one block and then turn right into the parking area at the aquarium and Hollywood Beach park area.  Get as close to the water on your right (between the aquarium and Red Lion Motel) so you can unload

Directions to Cline Spit:  

From I-5 @ Hwy 16 it takes about 2 hours (95.4 miles) to the launch site. Take highway 16 to highway 3, 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 and follow the new 4-lane to the Downtown/Sequim Ave Exit) and follow Sequim Ave to the traffic light downtown.from the traffic light Go 5.5 miles on Sequim Ave. (also called Dungeness Scenic Route or E. Anderson). When you get to Marine Drive, turn right. Go 0.9 miles down Marine and turn right on Cline Spit. Cline Spit is at the bottom of the hill (about 200 yards) and has parking and launch. No fee for parking.

Facilities:  
There are bathrooms at Hollywood Beach, Dungeness Lighthouse and Cline Spit, but there are no facilities along the 15nm between Hollywood Beach and the Lighthouse—in fact there are no trees most of the way—only driftwood and seaweed.  Those who are shy and needing frequent stops may want to consider an alternate method of dealing with having to potty.

Sample Magazine Submittal:  Port Angeles to Dungeness (SKIII-IV).  20 NM.  A strong current and paddling pace will be experienced.  This trip requires a shuttle.  Wet or dry suit required.