Quilcene Bay to Seal Rock

Rating: SKII                                                                                                                                                   

Distance: 13NM

Date: May 6, 2000

Leader: Gary Knudson/Martha Scoville             Participants: 11

Launch: 09:00                                                               Return: 3:30

Weather: Mostly cloudy with some sun breaks and ~55F. Light southerly breezes to maybe 10 knots on the return trip. Very light rain at the lunch break.

Description: Wow! What a beautiful trip! I don’t think many of us have seen so many eagles in a single day! Launching from the nice little beach at the Quilcene Marina we headed for Whitney Point and Dabob Bay. A little further along we came to Pulali Point. The rocky shores along this stretch proved an excellent spot for checking out the sea life. Huge sea stars in white and orange, anemones hanging from the rocks, and the occasional crab wandering along the sea bottom. That, combined with an eagle in every tree made for a really fantastic site. Heading into Jackson Cove we encountered the legendary Yelncik woman who assured one of our group that she owned all the land in that area and all of the land under the water that would be exposed by the lowest of tides! Enough of her. We passed Wawa Point, went on to Seal Rock and, a little further on, were able to locate Seal Rock Campground. Interpretive signs in the woods are visible from the water and assured us that this was the place. The beach at Seal Rock is covered with barnacled cobbles but with some care it’s not a bad spot. Up on the berm there are places to eat and bathrooms further up into the campground. After lunch under the trees we headed back for Quilcene with a really nice boost from the flood current. We stopped for a little break and bathroom stop at the Shellfish Research Station. The bathrooms were open but the small interpretive museum was, unfortunately, locked up. Then back to Quilcene ending a really great day. Don’t miss this one! It’s a classic!

Tides/Currents: This trip includes rocky shores which are home to varied sealife; so, in addition to normal ebb/flood considerations, a particularly low tide near the half way part of the trip is rewarding. No serious currents on this route, although we did get a nice boost on the way back to Quilcene.

Charts:

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

Puget Sound Current Guide – Island Canoe, Inc.

Chart #18445 – Puget Sound – Possession Sound to Olympia, Page E .

Notes:

  1. Dosewallips State Park is to the south near Pleasant Harbor. This presents the possibility of car camping and multiple days of kayaking, OR
  2. Do an overnight from Quilcene to Dosewallips or Seal Rock and return via Dabob Bay.
  3. The Washington Public Shore Guide shows the H.J. Carrol SP and Jackson Cove, Beach 55 but they appear to be unlandable, rocky headlands.
  4. South from Jackson Cove is a rest spot at Right Smart SP (100 feet of shoreline) but DNR limits are unclear and the park is surrounded by private land owned by the Yelncik family who are legendary for their bad tempers and behavior.
  5. Flapjack Cove Tidelands, Beach 54 has some upland trees, a possible rest stop.

Directions to Launch Site: From I5 @ Hwy 16 it takes about 1 1/2 hours. (74 miles) to the launch site. Take Hwy 16 to Bremerton and get on Hwy 3 to the Hood Canal Bridge. After you cross the bridge go about 11 miles and take the Quilcene turn. Go south to the town of Quilcene and turn left on Rogers Road. Then go left on Linger Longer Road and follow it 1 ½ miles to the small boat harbor and launch site.

Facilities:

  1. There are bathrooms and even a shower at the Harbor Master office just across the street from the launch site at Quilcene.
  2. Parking at Quilcene will accommodate 6 or 7 cars in a pinch. Otherwise you could probably park along the street leading away from the launch site.
  3. There are bathrooms at the Shellfish Research Station at Whitney Point.
  4. Bathrooms available at Seal Rock Campground.

Sample Magazine Submittal: Quilcene Bay to Seal Rock (SKII). 13NM RT. Explore the shorelines of historic fishing settlements along northern Hood Canal. Visit quiet harbors and pristine habitats of birds and marine life with a stop at the Point Whitney State Shellfish Laboratory.

References:

Scott, James W., and Melly A. Reuling. Washington Public Shore Guide. Seattle: University of Washington Press. 1986. pp. 284-285.

Washburne, Randel. Kayaking Puget Sound, the San Juans, and Gulf Islands. Seattle: The Mountaineers. 1996. pp. 196-200.