Rating: SKIII

Distance: 16 NM

Date: August 28, 1999

Leader: Henry Romer Participants: 7

Launch: 09:30 Return: 5:00 pm

Weather: Overcast, ~75F, light breezes.

Description: We launched at 09:30 and explored the west side of Pickering Passage. Followed the shore until we were opposite Jarrell Cove and then made the crossing. At Jarrell Cove we stopped at the Cascadia Marine Trail site on the north side and walked up into the park to find the bathrooms. Rode the tide out around Dougal Point at the north end of Hartstene and turned south, into light breezes, towards McMicken Island SP. Lunch at McMicken and then followed the Hartstene shore back up to the point. Rode the flood back down Pickering Passage and stopped again at Jarrell Cove, this time on the private south side of the cove. Used bathrooms and some folks bought goodies at the store. Finally, we returned to Latimer Landing, riding the flood and variously playing along the shore or out in the center of the passage. Arrived at the landing at 5:00 pm, right on schedule.

Tides/Currents: Nothing special here. Pickering currents can be strong so plan your trip accordingly. Previous trips in this area indicate that you can run into a strong headwind blowing up Case Inlet after you round Dougal Point at the north end of Hartstene. Our experience was simply light breezes.

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. If we ever get a Marine Trail site on McMicken Island this would make a great overnight.

Directions to Launch Site: From I5 @ Hwy 16 it takes about 1 hour (45 miles) to get to the launch site. Take Hwy 16 to the 302 exit (Purdy-Shelton). In Purdy turn left to stay on 302. Cross the bridge, go 5 miles and turn right to stay on 302. Go to Allyn and turn left at the stop sign. Go 11 miles towards Shelton. Turn left on Pickering Road. Go 3.3 miles on Pickering Road and you’ll see the bridge and Latimer Landing on the left.

Facilities:

1. The bathrooms at Latimer Landing are a NASTY, STINKING affair. You’ll be lucky to get in and out without puking!! Stop in Allyn before you get to the launch site!!
2. Parking at Latimer Landing is excellent. However, in fishing season it can fill up rather early.
3. Jarrell Cove has bathrooms and a store on the private (south) side of the cove. On the north side of the cove you can landing at the Marine Trail site and walk up into the Jarrell Cove SP and find bathrooms there.
4. McMicken Island SP has nice bathrooms located on the west side of the island.

Sample Magazine Submittal: Pickering Push (SKIII). 16NM RT. Moderate paddle. Current assisted push up Pickering Passage from the Hartstene Island bridge. Down Case Inlet to McMicken S.P. for lunch. Back up Case to catch the afternoon flood to wash us home.

Bailey, Jo, and Carl Nyberg. Gunkholing in South Puget Sound. Seattle: San Juan Enterprises, Inc. 1997. Pp. 251-253, 265-269.

Campbell, Ken. A Sea Kayaker’s Guide to South Puget Sound. Tacoma: Self-Published. 1997. P. 54-56.

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

Washburne, Randel. Kayaking Puget Sound, the San Juans, and Gulf Islands. Seattle: The Mountaineers. 1996. pp. 46-47.