Rating: SKII

Distance: 13 NM

Date: Dec 12, 1998

Leader: Martha Scoville Participants: 7

Launch: 09:00 Return: 2:30

Weather: Overcast, rainy, light breezes, ~45F.

Description: Left the Southworth ferry dock and crossed over to the south end of Blake Island. Travelling along the east side of Blake we stopped at the north end, Tillicum Village, for a break. Our original intent was to paddle from the north end of Blake and cross over to Manchester but due to a possible change in weather we opted to return to Southworth where we had lunch in the rain, under the ferry landing. After lunch we paddled the shoreline north for a few miles up to Colchester and then returned to Southworth.

Tides/Currents: Nothing special on this trip but it should be noted that the waters between Blake Island and Bainbridge Island can become very rough in windy conditions.

Charts:

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

Puget Sound Current Guide – Island Canoe, Inc.

Chart #18474 – Shilshole Bay to Commencement Bay

Chart #18448 – Puget Sound – Southern Part.

Chart # 18449 – Puget Sound – Seattle to Bremerton (recommended).

Notes:

1. This trip can be run in a number of directions to include Manchester or Manchester State Park (15 NM).
2. Campsites on the west side of Blake are secluded and have picnic tables. There is a large grassy camp area next to the boat moorage at Tillicum Village.
3. We saw a large Sea Lion up near Colchester. It appeared to be either sick – or possibly tangled in some netting.

Directions to Launch Site: From I5 @ Hwy 16 to Southworth takes about 40 minutes (~30 miles). Take Hwy 16 to 160 (Sedgewick Road) and go east for 7 miles to the Southworth ferry landing. The launch site is on Sebring Road just to the left of the ferry dock. After unloading park along the street away from driveways. The launch site is sandy.

Facilities:

1. No facilities at the launch site unless you walk over to the building on the ferry landing.
2. On Blake Island (north end) at Tillicum Village there are bathrooms and covered picnic areas, camping.

Sample Magazine Submittal: Southworth to Blake Island (SKII). 13NM. There’s something for everyone in this 13 mile tour. We’ll launch near the Southworth ferry dock and cruise to Blake Island State Park. Later we’ll explore the shoreline of the Kitsap Peninsula north to Colchester.

Bailey, Jo, and Carl Nyberg. Gunkholing in South Puget Sound. Seattle: San Juan Enterprises, Inc. 1997. Pp. 142-149.

Campbell, Ken. A Sea Kayaker’s Guide to South Puget Sound. Tacoma: Self-Published. 1997. P. 14-17.

Scott, James W., and Melly A. Reuling. Washington Public Shore Guide. Seattle: University of Washington Press. 1986. pp. 196-197.

Washburne, Randel. Kayaking Puget Sound, the San Juans, and Gulf Islands. Seattle: The Mountaineers. 1996. pp.63-66.