Sequim Bay

Rating: SKII

Distance:  10 NM

Date:  October 29-31. 2004

Leader:   Pete Schwab                        Participants:  4

Launch:  10:00 am                              Return:  2:00 pm

Weather:  Clear, low 50's, wind building around 11. 

Description: Our initial intent was to paddle out of Sequim Bay and head north for Protection Island.  As it turned out, just as we were exiting the bay a fairly serious wind came up that precluded any possibility of paddling in the Strait. It kinda blew us right back into the bay.  Not to worry.  The bay is a nice place to paddle so we followed the sand bar at it's juncture with the Strait and then headed along the east shore, taking a lunch break on the beach about half way to the south end where the Jamestown S'Klallam have their museum store along the highway.

    From there we headed back up the west shore to Sequim Bay State Park where we were camped.  A very nice little trip with plenty of water fowl and great camping just above the water.

Tides/Currents:  Tides and currents weren't an issue for us but I'm told that on a strong ebb standing waves can appear at the rather narrow exit from the bay.

Charts:

Directions to Launch Site:  From I-5 at Highway 16 it’s 83 miles (~1 hours/45 minutes) to Sequim Bay State Park. Take highway 16 to highway 3 (at Bremerton), then take hwy 3 until you reach 104. Take 104 over the Hood Canal Bridge to the Olympic Peninsula where you’ll get on Hwy 101. Follow 101 till about 1 mile past the 7-Cedars Casino and you'll see the State Park on your right.

Facilities:

Sequim Bay State Park:  A really nice little park located right on highway 101.  Has a launch ramp ($5 day fee if you're not camping).  There are large picnic areas and firewood available. Check out the Washington Parks link below for complete information.
http://www.parks.wa.gov/parkpage.asp?selectedpark=Sequim%20Bay&pageno=1

Sample Magazine Submittal:    Sequim Bay Kamping and Kayaking (SKII-III).  NM to be determined. Let's get together for a fun weekend of camping and kayaking at Sequim Bay SP. We'll arrive on Friday, set up camp, and maybe do a short paddle.  Paddling during the balance of the weekend will be determined by the weather. The bay is totally sheltered and should be a go no matter what the weather. If we have good weather we'll take a trip out and around Protection Island.  Protection is home to hundreds of seals and other shore life. This should be a great "end of the season" camp with campfires, lots of good food, and plenty of "Mountaineers Moments".

References: 

Here's a good Thai restaurant in Sequim if you want to get away from camp. (Khu Larb)
http://national.citysearch.com/profile/10859656/sequim_wa/khu_larb_thai_restaurant.html?cslink=search_name_noncust&ulink=search_2_searchslot10_520__0_profile_2_1