Sea Kayak - Skagit & Hope Islands

The purpose of this trip is to serve as one of the student paddles required in order to complete the requirements for the Mountaineers Basic Sea Kayaking badge. 

We will launch at 10 and follow the shore east and around Hoypus Point. We will take a short break either at Ala Spit or somewhere on Hope followed by a longer lunch break on Skagit Island. Rescue practice will be done after lunch near Skagit and then we will return back to the launch spot before 4pm.

As with all Mountaineers SK trips, participants need to provide their own boats, gear, food, and water. Dry suits suitable for sea kayaking are required for this paddle due to cold water , as well as the possibility of capsize. Expect to encounter rough water at times, particularly in the presence of power boat wakes, when rounding Hoypus Point, and at the passage between Ala Spit and Hope Island.

Prior to the trip, please download, complete, and print the Paddling Conditions form. Bring it to the activity to review at the pre-paddle meeting.  Here is the link to the form:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wnz841_wlKXWKF91wKymBT4GHRxvRw48GGLPWY-gJUg/edit

Participants should also bring a chart.

NOAA Tide Predictions (hint: find the tides at Cornet Bay):https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/tide_predictions.html

NOAA Current Predictions (hint: find currents for Yokeko Point, Deception Pass (PUG1629) Depth: 7 feet and Skagit Bay channel, SW of Hope Island (PUG1628) Depth: 10 feet): https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/noaacurrents/Regions

NOAA Marine Point Forecast for immediate area: https://marine.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-122.56998&lat=48.38971#.YIJRRC1HafA

NOAA hourly marine forecast graph for immediate area: https://marine.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=48.3897&lon=-122.57&unit=0&lg=english&FcstType=graphical

NOAA Marine associated zone forecast for the greater area: Zone Area Forecast for Northern Inland Waters Including The San Juan Islands

Windy forecast for the immediate area: https://www.windy.com/48.393/-122.572?48.374,-122.577,13,m:eZOacKR

Extra points for marking up your chart with a route, tide, and current data.  Extra extra points for noting the distance, estimated travel time, heading for each leg, noting what the tide is expected to do throughout the day, and noting what the currents will be up to at Yokeko Point and the channel between the west end of Hope Island and Ben Ure Spit (aka Ala Spit).

Coronet Bay Boat Ramp, Deception Pass State Park. Arrive at 9am for a 9:45 shore talk and 10:00 launch. If you need more time to get ready please arrive a bit earlier.

Discover Pass is required for parking, kiosk is usually available on-site or stop at the ones after you go over the bridge.