A trip to Seattle tonight looks like it might end up on Orcas tomorrow. I'm thinking about leaving my car at the ferry (safer there?) and paddling round to Sucia to camp. Anybody got any other suggestions for jump-off points? Please send any response to me directly (as well as the list) as I only get the digest and I'm heading out 3-ish PT today (4/24). Thanks *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 4/24/2003 11:46:09 AM Pacific Daylight Time, sullivaned_at_pop.mts.kpnw.org writes: > A trip to Seattle tonight looks like it might end up on > Orcas tomorrow. I'm thinking about leaving my car at the > ferry (safer there?) and paddling round to Sucia to camp. > Anybody got any other suggestions for jump-off points? > > Please send any response to me directly (as well as the > list) as I only get the digest and I'm heading out 3-ish PT > today (4/24). > You cannot launch at the ferry landing on Orcas. Rather, what we did was make a left at the ferry offramp, drive a mile or two and make a left on Deer Harbor road and park in front of the Deer Harbor inn and minimarket (I think that is what it's called). last year you could pay 5 bucks a day for the privelage. The flood speeds through Spring and Presidents passage making it 13-14 miles to Sucia. Don't even bother trying to go against the current. It runs up to 4+ knots. It is faster than 13-14 miles sounds if the wind is modest and the current strong and going your way. If not, have a good brace and exposed conditions preparation, as the rips off Point Doughty are significant, as are those midway between Doughty and Sucia. You may also wish to launch at North Beach paying the same price, roughly, for the parking privelage. It is 2.5 miles across from North Beach to Sucia. Bear in mind people have run afoul off the north end of Orcas, with 3 fatalities that I'm aware of and mucho stress cases. Parker Reef, in mid channel develops some really nasty (or fun) waves when the wind and current oppose. Parker also has a reputation of running contrary to prediction. It's a great trip, have a blast. Rob G If you do not wish to *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
sullivaned_at_pop.mts.kpnw.org wrote: > I'm thinking about leaving my car at the ferry (safer there?) and paddling round to Sucia to camp. I'm told it is difficult to find a legal launch site for a kayak near the ferry terminal. Might have to drive a bit to find a put-in. It's generally cheaper for a single kayaker to leave the car on the mainland and pay stowage for the kayak. For two or more kayakers, drive onto the ferry, and the car fee + passenger is less than paying for 2 tickets + 2 stowages....unless you have a tall rig or a long boat, and have to pay oversize vehicle surcharges. Shawn __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The New Yahoo! Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo http://search.yahoo.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Shawn wrote: (SNIP>>>>It's generally cheaper for a single kayaker to leave the car on the mainland and pay stowage for the kayak. For two or more kayakers, drive onto the ferry, and the car fee + passenger is less than paying for 2 tickets + 2 stowages....unless you have a tall rig or a long boat, and have to pay oversize vehicle surcharges.<<<<<< Shawn, the truly cheap (and those not wishing to wait in long carlines through several sailings before boarding--and willing to risk crossing Rosario straight in a kayak) leave from the beach west of the Anacortes ferry terminal or from Washington Park (about a mile jog away from the ferry but easier launch and better parking). Since the only Ferry terminal you can land at (with in a few blocks of a ferry terminal) anymore is Friday Harbor, you want to arrange to end your trip there. The ride back on the ferry is then free because they only charge on the outgoing ferries, not the return to Anacortes ferries. Of course if you tell them how you are avoiding the fair they might decide to make an exception for kayakers. Years ago you could launce from the ferry landings at Shaw (by far the easiest), Orcas, and Lopez as well as at Friday Harbor. As kayaking became more popular kayakers became a nuisance to the Island residents (rather than a rare sight and an interesting diversion to the day). All the sites you once could launch from near ferries were closed down one way or another except for the marina north of the ferry terminal on San Juan Island. Matt Broze www.marinerkayaks.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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