Shine Tidelands to Thorndyke Bay

Rating:  SKII-III

Distance:  12 NM

Date:  January 21, 2001

Leader:  Don Rice                              Participants:  5

Launch:  10:00 am                              Return:  3:30 pm

Weather:  Foggy and drizzly, ~45-50F.

Description: The purpose of the trip was explorative and to launch flares.  We met at 9:30 and launched flares for 30 minutes and then departed paddling south toward Thorndyke Bay.  We entered the bay with an incoming tide and explored inside and then found a lunch site at the entrance of the bay.  After lunch we returned to Shine Tidelands following the same route.

Tides/Currents: We had favorable current in both directions.  Current in the Hood Canal should be considered when paddling this route.  When launching from Shine Tidelands a high tide is desirable as the water level drops and makes launching a problem.  Also, a high tide is necessary to enter Thorndyke Bay.  Be careful not to get stuck in the bay on an ebbing tide.  The bay also seems very fragile and should be treated with respect.  There are plenty of places to stop for lunch at the opening or on the beach outside of the bay.  There are no facilities nor any evidence of human habitation any where near the bay.

Charts:
18458 Hood Canal—South Point to Dabob Bay 
18473 Puget Sound—Oak Bay to Shilshole Bay

Notes:  I would launch from Salsbury Point next time.  There are facilities at Salsbury and it would extend the paddle to 14nm with a crossing of the canal—much more desirable.  While wind is likely, one could always cross on the lee side of the bridge for protection.

Directions to Launch Site:  : From I5 @ Hwy 16 it takes about 1 hour. (52 miles) to the launch site. Take Hwy 16 to Bremerton and get on Hwy 3 to the Hood Canal Bridge. As soon as you cross the bridge, turn right and then turn right again. Drive down to the left turn and park along the beach to launch – it’s better than using the concrete launch ramp.

To get to Salsbury Point:

From Kingston drive west on hwy 104 and look for the sign to Port Gamble/Hood Canal bridge.  You’ll turn right heading north on hwy 104.   About a long mile after driving through Port Gamble you will see the Salsbury Point Park sign on your right.  Turn right off the highway onto Wheeler and follow the road (which actually goes to your left) down to Shine Dr. and make another right where we will meet by the water.

If coming from the south—take Hwy 3 north toward Port Gamble.  You will drive through Poulsbo and after passing the turn off for the Hood Canal bridge look for the Salsbury Park sign on your left.  It will be about a mile passed the canal bridge intersection.  Turn left and follow the signs to the park and launch site.

Facilities:
1.  There are no facilities at the Shine Tidelands launch area. Parking is limited to 4 or 5 cars unless you get really creative.
2.  Bathrooms and showers at Salsbury Point.

Sample Magazine Submittal:  Shine Tidelands to Thorndyke Bay (SKII-III).  12 NM. We will launch flares starting at 9:30 and cease flare launcing by 10:00.  I would like us to be on the water by 10:30 and paddling south toward Thorndyke Bay.

Flare Control and Notification of Authorities: 

For launching of flares many authorities need to be notified and approve of the time and place of the practice flare launching.  I called the US Coast Guard SAR Controller in Seattle (206-217-6001) and they said they would prefer we do this early in the morning rather than later in the day.  They said to shoot the flares out over the water and away from the bridge.  They definitely want a window of time (I said 9:30-10:00am) and a VHF call on channel 16 or 22 notifying them when the practice session is complete.  The sheriff departments of Jefferson (Sgt Smith) (360-385-3831) and Kitsap (360-478-0011) Counties also need to be notified. Even with notifying all the agencies, we still someone come down and see if any help was needed.  Next time I would like to try launching some while out of a boat and in the water—mocking a real rescue situation.  We found that the flares don’t go more than a few hundred feet in the air and they only last a few seconds.  This practice was valuable as one needs to realize that the use of flares should only be done when someone is within sight.