Port Townsend to Alki Beach
(In One Day)

Rating: SKIV

Distance:  40 NM

Date:  June 16, 2001

Leader:   Pete Schwab                       Participants:  4

Launch:    04:15                                 Return:  19:30

Weather:  Mostly overcast and around 60F with some sun breaks. That kept the trip nice and cool.  In Port Townsend Bay we had west winds 10-15 knots kicking up 1 - 1 1/2 foot seas.  South of the Port Townsend Canal the seas went flat until later in the afternoon.  Crossing to Shilshole we had north winds 5-15 and seas 1 foot.  Same for Elliot Bay except waves were a little higher due to wakes from ten different directions.

Description: 

04:00 – 07:00. (8 NM) Point Wilson to south end of Port Townsend Canal.  Left the beach at Pt Wilson against the ebb but stayed along the shore to take advantage of the back eddy down to Pt Hudson (2 miles) – arrived there at 04:45.  At that point the current 0.5 miles east of Pt Hudson was still ebbing (at ~0.25 knots).  Crossed from Pt Hudson to approximately Walan Pt on Indian Island. This is where we ran into an area about 150 yards in diameter that behaved like rips.  However, there was no apparent reason for their appearance.  From there we headed south towards the Canal.  Slack in the Canal was at 07:00.  We arrived at the County Park beach southeast of the Canal at 06:30 for breakfast break (30 minutes).

07:00 – 10:00 (7 NM).  South end of the Canal to Foulweather Bluff.  Headed down the middle of Oak Bay straight towards Foulweather Bluff, a seven NM jaunt.  Took a break around the northeast corner in Skunk Bay (~15 minute break). The current off Foulweather was slack around 10:00.

 10:00 – 13:00 (7 NM).  Foulweather Bluff to a little past Pilot Point and stopped at Eglon,  30 minutes for lunch.

 13:00 – 15:00  (7 NM).  Eglon to President Point.   Current off Appletree  began to ebb at about 0.25 knots with max for the cycle being 0.5 knots. Passed Appletree (had to dodge the Edmonds to Keystone ferry) and continued on to President Point for a break before crossing.

 15:00 – 17:30 (6.0 NM).  From President Point we crossed straight through the shipping lanes (we actually timed the arrival of a freighter precisely and it passed slowly off our bows) and then turned southeast dodging the sailboats along the Shilshole Marina  This was a 4  mile crossing through shipping lanes.  Break at West Point.

17:30 – 19:30 (5 NM).  West Point to Alki Beach.  Current off West Point was ebbing at a max of 0.5 knots. Elliot Bay's always kinda rough.  Seas were probably only 1 foot but when you add in all the wakes it's enough to keep you on your toes. We had to keep a close eye on the Victoria Clipper, eventually it crossed our bows. Later we dealt with the Bainbridge and Bremerton ferries but with no real problem.  People waiting with beer!

Tides/Currents: Began the trip against a very mild ebb, then rode a mild flood, and finished up against an extremely mild ebb.  The Port Townsend Canal was at minimum so no current there to speak of.  However, the area of Port Townsend Bay just north of the big Navy munitions dock had an area of around 150 yards in diameter that acted like tide rips.  Seas went from 1 - 1 1/2 feet to 1-1/2 to 2 1/2 feet.  Can't explain this area but you might want to watch for it.

Charts:

Waterproof Chart #30 – Puget Sound – International Sailing Supply.
Puget Sound Current Guide – Island Canoe, Inc.
Chart # 18445 - Puget Sound:  Possession Sound to Olympia
Chart # 18464
Chart # 18471

Directions to Launch Site: 

From I5 @ Hwy 16 it takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes (82 miles) to the launch site. Take Hwy 16 to Bremerton and get on Hwy 3 to the Hood Canal Bridge. A short distance past the Hood Canal Bridge take the Port Townsend (Hwy 19) turn to the right.  Follow highway 19 into Port Townsend.  If you're going directly to Fort Worden you'll see signs to turn left before you get to downtown Port Townsend.  Just follow the signs to the Fort.   When you get to the park, turn in and then take the second street to the right.  Go all the way to the end and you'll see the road (turn left) leading down to the beach.  The launch ramp is right at the bottom of the bluff, you'll see the fishing pier. 

Places to Stay in Port Townsend:

Fort Worden State Park:  There's camping down on the beach.  You can reserve through the State Parks system. If you want to contact them directly the number is:  360-344-4400.  The gate is only locked on one side at night.  They had no problem with us arriving at 03:30 and congregating at the launch ramp at the south end of the beach (quietly!). To get there just follow the signs to Fort Worden after you enter Port Townsend. When you get to the park, turn in and then take the second street to the right.  Go all the way to the end and you'll see the road (turn left) leading down to the beach.  The launch ramp is right at the bottom of the bluff. 

Facilities:  
1.  Fort Warden has bathrooms down near the launch ramp and also in the camping area.
2.  There were no facilities at the County Park south of the Port Townsend Canal.
3.  Eglon's a nice place for lunch.  Picnic tables and a port-o-let.  Look for the small sand beach, you'll see the picnic tables up top on the small bluff (3 feet).
4.  Discovery Park at West Point has bathrooms but they are about a 1/2 mile away.  It's a populated area, as well, so it's difficult to find a proper bush.
5.  There are bathrooms down at the beach in Alki.  Nasty but they get the job done.  Just barely enough space to change your clothes.

Sample Magazine Submittal:  Port Townsend to Alki Beach in a Day (SKIV). 40 NM.  If this one doesn’t get you trim for the summer’s paddles, nothing will!  This will be a 16 hour trip and involves a crossing of close to 5 NM.  To participate you must have previously completed a day trip of at least 25 NM, and have done a 4 NM crossing.  Wet or dry suit required although we may don lighter clothing in the afternoon depending on conditions.  The trip will be VHF and GPS supported.

References: 
Scott, James W., and Melly A. Reuling. Washington Public Shore Guide. Seattle: University of Washington Press. 1986. pp. 160-167, 184-187, 278-281.

Washburne, Randel. Kayaking Puget Sound, the San Juans, and Gulf Islands. Seattle: The Mountaineers. 1996. pp. 184-188.

Mueller, Marge and Ted. North Puget Sound, Afoot and Afloat. Seattle: The Mountaineers. 1995. pp. 169-196.

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